Melissa Barrera reveals offers for roles went “quiet for 10 months” after ‘Scream’ firing
“There were times where I felt like my life was over”
by Surej Singh · NMEMelissa Barrera has opened up on the aftermath of her firing from the Scream franchise last year – see what she had to say below.
Last year, Scream V and VI lead actress Melissa Barrera last year was dropped from Scream 7 after posting on Instagram in support of Palestine. Now, in a new interview with The Independent, Barrera has opened up on the ordeal that followed the sacking.
“It was the darkest and hardest year of my life, and I had to reevaluate everything,” she told the publication. “There were times where I felt like my life was over.”
She then revealed that after the firing, she experienced a drought in job offers: “It was quiet for, like, 10 months. I was still getting offers for small things here and there – I’m not going to lie and say there was nothing – but [the message] was, like, ‘Oh, she probably doesn’t have work, she’ll say yes to anything’.”
Of the smaller roles she was offered, she recounted. “I would get [roles] that I wasn’t excited about, and I’ve never been a person that just wants to work for work’s sake. I give so much of myself to acting that if a part of me feels like it’s not worth it, I’m gonna be miserable.”
“Inside I’m constantly freaking out,” she added. “I rethink my career at least twice a year. Like, should I even be doing this? Am I even good? Am I ever gonna work again? Acting is my passion – I didn’t want it to just end.”
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However, Barrera now looks back on her time in the Scream franchise with endearment: “They gave me a lot in my career, I made really good friends. I have such loyal fans from those movies that are now watching the rest of the stuff that I do.”
In April, the actor opened up about feeling “lonely and scared” after the dismissal, but previously said she is “at peace” with how things conspired. Following her removal from the project, co-lead Jenna Ortega also announced she would not be returning due to other scheduling commitments.
It was later confirmed that Neve Campbell – who did not appear for Scream VI due to “pay discrepancies” – would return to lead Scream 7. The actor will be reprising her role as Sidney Prescott in the new film, and it comes after director Christopher Landon dropped out.
The sequel was recently confirmed for a February 2026 release date. Directing the upcoming film will be the franchise’s creator Kevin Williamson. The film is also set to introduce a new generation, with Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) daughter being cast for a major role.
2023’s Scream VI scored a four-star review upon its release, with Alex Flood writing for NME: “Scream VI isn’t perfect: the constant meta references (past killers, the ‘rules’ of the franchise) felt inventive in last year’s reboot, but here grow tiresome. There’s also a confusing subplot around Sam’s suppressed desire to emulate her dad (Billy Loomis, the original Ghostface), who appears in hallucinations telling her to murder people. Throw in the usual exposition sessions, which keep the viewer up to date on the plot but make it feel like a Gen Z Poirot, and it could all start to get on your nerves. Luckily, such is the sheer, bloody joy of the thing that you’ll be too preoccupied to notice. Maybe more horror baddies should move to New York?”