In late 2023, as Israeli bombs decimated Gaza in retribution for the Oct. 7 attacks, actress Melissa Barrera took stock of the carnage and spoke out.

The “Scream” and “In the Heights” star posted daily messages to her Instagram calling for peace, criticizing the Israeli government’s killing of Palestinian civilians, and comparing Gaza to a concentration camp. She posted fundraising links to Palestinian human rights organizations and shared articles by Holocaust scholars accusing Israel of committing genocide. The Hollywood powers that be took notice and a month later, she was fired from her lead role in “Scream 7” and pushed out of her talent agency, WME.

Spyglass, the production company behind the “Scream” films, issued the following statement to Variety at the time about Barrera’s firing:

“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

Barrera rejected Spyglass’ claims of “antisemitism” and the “incitement of hate,” responding: “I believe a group of people are not their leadership and that no governing body should be above criticism. I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence and for peaceful co-existence. I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom. Silence is not an option for me.”

For nearly a year after her firing, Barrera’s offers completely dried up. Few messages of support came. She was in a dark place, overcome by the notion that she’d lost the thing she loved most, the thing she’d dreamed about as a child growing up in Mexico and during the years spent cutting her teeth in telenovelas.

I’m seated across from Barrera, 35, at a bustling restaurant in Manhattan’s Theater District. She’s in a much better place right now, currently featuring in “Titaníque” as Rose, the besieged damsel navigating the chaos on board the Titanic and the complicated dynamics of her mother (played by Jim Parsons), the Victor Garber character (Frankie Grande), the Unsinkable Molly Brown (Deborah Cox), and Jack (Constantine Rousouli) and Cal (John Riddle), the two man-children battling for her affection. Oh, and if that weren’t enough, there’s also none other than Celine Dion (Marla Mindelle), who is somehow convinced that she was on the Titanic (!). It’s a wonderfully campy Broadway musical that earned four Tony nominations, including Best Musical.

Though she says “she’s never felt happier, more fulfilled, or more at peace” starring on Broadway, which was always a goal of hers, she’s still struggling to make sense of what happened to her.

“I feel like I have this fatal flaw where I think I can do anything,” offers Barrera. “It’s my biggest strength, and it’s my biggest weakness at the same time.”

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