Melissa Barrera Backs Macklemore Amid Ed Sheeran Controversy
Melissa Barrera has drawn a parallel between the backlash against Macklemore being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour for expressing a pro-Palestinian viewpoint and her own exit from Scream 7.
“It was emotional for me, you know,” the 36-year-old actress shared with The Associated Press during an interview on Wednesday, September 16. “I didn’t experience that kind of support when my incident occurred. It was too soon, and people were too frightened to speak up. But it’s heartening to see changes have occurred almost three years later.”
Barrera was reportedly let go from the cast of Scream 7 in 2023 due to her outspoken pro-Palestinian views following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent Israeli operation in Gaza. (At the time, she “condemn[ed] anti-semitism and Islamophobia” in a public statement.)
The production company of Scream, Spyglass, denied that Barrera’s support for Palestinians contributed to her exit from the franchise. However, the organization emphasized that it maintains a “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including erroneous claims regarding genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or any communications that overtly cross into hate speech.”
In May, Barrera was questioned about whether she considered her fellow cast members who returned to Scream 7 as akin to scabs crossing a picket line during a strike.
“Absolutely,” she responded to Variety. “I think that’s precisely what they are. They will have to reckon with that.”
Scream 7 actor Matthew Lillard recently expressed regret over participating in the film, suggesting that Barrera is “on the right side of history” for her humanitarian views.
Regarding Macklemore’s situation, the “Same Love” rapper, 43, faced removal from Sheeran’s Loop Tour after publicly advocating “Free Palestine” at two MetLife Stadium concerts in New Jersey earlier this month.
Sheeran, 35, allegedly came under pressure from promoters and venue owners — including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft — to drop Macklemore for the upcoming shows. Consequently, Sheeran’s management officially dismissed Macklemore as an opener on Monday, September 14.
Other scheduled Loop Tour supports, like Finneas and Lukas Graham, resigned in solidarity with Macklemore, resulting in major alterations to the timings and format of forthcoming concert dates. Sheeran later issued a public denial that he had personally removed Macklemore from the lineup.
“Ed Sheeran and his team have opted to remove me from the Loop Tour. I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” Macklemore stated in his own announcement on Monday. “We have careers, financial stability, and opportunities, as well as audiences across the globe. Regardless of the repercussions we face for our words, we can return to our families.”
He continued, “[Ed] informed me that the phrase ‘Free Palestine’ and the visuals of the Palestinian flag were upsetting to many people he communicated with. I remain hopeful that this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship can’t just evaporate due to one painful disagreement. I believe we both must continue to listen, learn about the situation in Palestine, and grapple with the implications of neutrality in such times. I’m always available for that conversation.”
In her recent comments, Barrera expressed that Sheeran should have supported Macklemore in order to protect free speech rights.
Children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel has pledged to contribute $1 million to charity following Macklemore’s dismissal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour due to his public pro-Palestinian stance. “I will match Macklemore’s donation and I challenge every white celebrity to match and speak out against the genocide in Gaza,” declared Ms. Rachel, 43, […]
“I wish those in power recognized the influence they hold,” she conveyed to The Associated Press this week. “The issue is that many who wield significant power believe they lack it, and they act out of fear. It’s disappointing because we’ve just witnessed the overwhelming support for Macklemore — a sign of progress. What we are seeing will inspire genuine change, and I remain highly optimistic about it.”
Sheeran’s Loop Tour will reach the Kraft-owned Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26.
