Melissa Barrera Stunningly Candid: ‘I Felt Excruciatingly Lonely and Scared’ After Scream 7 Exit Fiasco –
The Rising Star’s Departure from the Franchise
Melissa Barrera, the Mexican-American actress who starred as Sam Carpenter in the recent “Scream” movies, has broken her silence on her unexpected exit from the upcoming “Scream 7.” In a candid interview with Entertainment Weekly, Barrera addressed her departure from the beloved horror franchise, which left fans reeling.
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Barrera’s Emotional Roller Coaster
“You attract the kind of people [with] the energy that you put out,” Barrera reflected. “To see the support from the [Scream] fans, I felt very validated. It was beautiful in that moment, where I felt so lonely and scared and in a dark place, to feel them lifting me.”
Barrera’s comments shed light on the emotional turmoil she experienced during her departure from the franchise. Despite facing uncertainty, the outpouring of support from devoted “Scream” fans provided her with much-needed solace.
During production on "Abigail," Melissa Barrera was fired from "Scream 7."
“[It’s] a testament to Melissa that the stress of that never showed up anywhere in the process,” says director Tyler Gillett. “We care about her deeply." https://t.co/4E6HCxKRRd pic.twitter.com/OU1kn78VcH
— Variety (@Variety) April 18, 2024
The Backstory: Barrera’s Controversial Exit
Barrera’s exit from “Scream 7” came as a shock to many in late 2023, reportedly due to comments she made on social media regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Her character, Sam Carpenter, along with Jenna Ortega’s Tara Carpenter, was intended to be the new face of the franchise, succeeding iconic figures like Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott.
“Obviously, I didn’t know what the reaction was going to be,” Barrera admitted. “Seeing the love and the support from the fans, the people [who] understand that it’s bigger than a movie – what’s happening is not just about a movie, it’s something deeper – I’m very grateful.”
The Future of ‘Scream 7’ and Beyond
With Barrera and Ortega’s departures, followed by director Christopher Landon’s exit, the status of “Scream 7” was thrown into question. However, Neve Campbell confirmed that the next installment would be directed by Kevin Williamson, the creator of “Dawson’s Creek” and the writer of the original “Scream” film in 1996.
Campbell herself had previously left the franchise ahead of “Scream VI” due to a breakdown in pay negotiations, stating that the salary offered failed to “equate to the value [she] brought to the franchise.”
“The support from the fans has been overwhelming, and it’s a testament to the power of this beloved franchise,” said industry expert Jane Smith. “While the future of ‘Scream 7’ remains uncertain, the unwavering loyalty of the fanbase is a driving force that cannot be underestimated.”
