'Scream' actress Melissa Barrera calls support for Macklemore 'beautiful' after Loop Tour removal
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Melissa Barrera called it “beautiful” to see rapper Macklemore receive support. The actress made the comment while reflecting on how she never received support and was instead fired from the 'Scream' franchise for voicing support for Palestine back in 2023.
During an interview, she shared that people were previously scared, but seeing the change three years later makes her happy. For those unaware, Macklemore was dropped from the US leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after he voiced support for Palestine on stage earlier in September.
Melissa Barrera praises Loop Tour opening acts for pulling out in support of Macklemore
During an interaction with the Associated Press, Barrera shared, “It was so beautiful to see Finneas and the band and all the opening acts pulling out in support of Macklemore. It made me emotional, you know.”
She didn’t step back from sharing her experience. “I didn’t get that when it happened to me. I didn’t have any of that happen. It was too soon. People were too scared. But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed,” Barrera added.
“The people in power are going to try to censor it because eventually, it’s not going to work. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Ed Sheeran had been like, ‘No,’ and called the bluff,” the 36-year-old said.
She further shared, “I mean, it’s possible. It’s possible that, you know, he still would have had his shows canceled, but I bet you that he could have rebooked those shows in other venues just as easily, and people would have rallied behind him. So it’s just like, I wish.”
"I wish that the people that have power understood the power that they have. I think that the problem is that there are a lot of people that actually have a lot of power. They don’t think that they do, and they’re operating out of fear," Barrera noted.
"And it’s just a shame because, you know, we just saw what happened, the support that rallied behind Macklemore, and I think that it’s a big step. I think that what we’re seeing, what we’re witnessing, is going to inspire real change. And I’m very hopeful about that,” she concluded.
Why was Melissa Barrera fired from the 'Scream' franchise
Barrera was fired from the film franchise in November 2023 over social media posts she made amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. She spoke about the condition of people affected by the conflict and questioned the situation at the time.
Spyglass, the production company behind the 'Scream' films, issued a statement saying, “Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form.”
Barrera rejected Spyglass’ claims of "antisemitism," responding, “I believe a group of people are not their leadership and that no governing body should be above criticism. I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence and for peaceful coexistence.”
