Melissa Barrera has drawn a connection between Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour and her own departure from the ‘Scream’ franchise after speaking publicly about Palestine.
Barrera said she was particularly moved by the solidarity Macklemore received after his removal. Sheeran’s backing band and several supporting acts reportedly withdrew from the tour following the decision, with Finneas among those who stepped away.
The actress said the response brought her to tears because she remembered feeling largely alone when she faced a similar controversy in 2023.
Barrera was dropped from ‘Scream VII’ during pre-production after posting comments about the Israel-Gaza conflict and expressing support for Palestine. Spyglass Media Group, the film’s studio, later said it had “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate”.
Barrera rejected that characterisation and said she opposed antisemitism, Islamophobia, hatred and discrimination against any group. She had been due to return as Sam Carpenter in the seventh film.
Looking back, Barrera said some people around her supported her privately but were “too scared” to speak publicly at the time. She said seeing performers stand behind Macklemore nearly three years later showed how the response to such situations had changed.
She also questioned whether Ed Sheeran could have taken a stronger position over Macklemore’s removal. Barrera suggested that Sheeran could have challenged the decision even if doing so meant losing the tour or finding alternative venues.
Macklemore had alleged that billionaire businessman Robert Kraft, who owns one of the venues involved, pressured other venue operators to remove him or risk losing stadium bookings. Sheeran has said the decision came from the tour promoters, not him.
Barrera said she hoped people with influence would recognise the power they have to support others when controversies arise.
Her comments come after ‘Scream’ actor Matthew Lillard expressed regret over his involvement in the seventh instalment following Barrera’s dismissal.
Lillard said he had been excited to return to the franchise but had not considered Barrera’s firing when he accepted the role. He later said he believed Barrera was “on the right side of history”.
