Melissa Barrera says Macklemore support ‘made me emotional’ after Scream exit

“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 was fired from Scream 7 in 2023 after Spyglass said her social media posts crossed its stated “zero tolerance” policy regarding antisemitism and hate speech.

Barrera had posted about the war in Gaza and expressed support for Palestinians. Spyglass denied that her support for Palestinians itself was the reason for her departure, while the company said at the time that it had “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form”.

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during his performances at Met. Life Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. Sheeran later said the decision was made by the tour’s promoter after venues indicated they would not host shows with Macklemore on the lineup.

Several other artists subsequently withdrew from the remaining Loop Tour dates, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga. Macklemore has also announced that he will donate $1 million in net earnings from the tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.

Barrera’s comments come as she continues to discuss her departure from Scream and the response to Macklemore’s situation, which she described as evidence that the reaction from artists and audiences has changed in the years since her own exit.