Actress and singer Melissa Barrera has weighed in on the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore drama, offering her take on the controversy surrounding the rapper’s removal from the Loop Tour. Barrera also looked back at her own situation after being fired from the “Scream” franchise due to her vocal support for Palestine. Barrera’s comments come as Macklemore receives an outpouring of support after his departure.
Nearly a week after Macklemore was booted from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour due to his pro-Palestine remarks, Melissa Barrera is sharing how she was moved by the wave of support the rapper received.
Following the announcement, Sheeran’s backing band and his three supporting acts withdrew from the tour in support of Macklemore and what he stood for.
“It was so beautiful to see Finneas and the band and all the opening acts pulling out in support of Macklemore. It made me emotional. You know, I didn’t get that when it happened to me,” Barrera said, per AP News.
In 2023, the actress was fired from “Scream VII” after speaking out on the Gaza conflict and criticizing Israel on social media. Some co-stars and publicists showed solidarity, but she did not receive massive public support like Macklemore.
“It was too soon. People were too scared,” Barrera said of her firing. “But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed,” she added.
The Actress Wonders What The Outcome Could Have Been If Ed Sheeran ‘Called The Bluff’
Macklemore released a statement revealing that billionaire businessman Robert Kraft, who owned one of the concert venues, rallied other venue owners to drop the rapper or lose the stadium bookings. Sheeran also acknowledged the controversy in a statement, saying it was not his decision to remove Macklemore, but that of the promoters.
“I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Ed Sheeran had been like, ‘no,’ and called the bluff,” Barrera said, adding that he maybe would have had his tour canceled, but it would have been possible to find other venues willing to work with him.
“I wish the people who have the power understood the power that they have,” she said.
Melissa Barrera Was Accused Of Antisemitism
Barrera was set to reprise her role as Sam Carpenter for “Scream VII” when she was terminated during pre-production. Spyglass Media Group, the studio behind the movie, released a statement, saying they have “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate.”
What prompted the firing was Barrera’s social media statements. In one post, she accused Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing” in Gaza.
Barrera responded to the studio’s accusation and said, “I condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people.”
Matthew Lillard Said The Actress Was ‘On The Right Side Of History’
Matthew Lillard, who appeared in several “Scream” movies, including the seventh installment, recently said he was ashamed to have participated in the film after Barrera’s firing. “She’s on the right side of history,” the actor added.
“What happened to Melissa, the whole world didn’t pipe up. She was like a year early on what the f-ck’s going on, but the whole world should have piped up and said, ‘she’s right,’ and they didn’t. And that’s brutal,” Lillard said, per Deadline.
Lillard said that when he received the offer to reprise his role, he was overcome with excitement and did not think about what happened to Barrera. “I didn’t say ‘no.’ I’m embarrassed, and that’s the truth,” he said.
Ed Sheeran Apologizes At First Concert After Fallout
September 19 marked Sheeran’s first performance on stage following the controversy. Pro-Palestine protesters rallied outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where they held up signs and Palestinian flags. According to reports, the demonstration proceeded without major incidents.
Before starting the show, Sheeran spoke to the audience and addressed the issue, as reported by The Blast. He said he has had to make difficult decisions, adding, “I am making mistakes, and I’m so sorry.” He also said he is in talks with people about how to help victims of violence in Gaza, acknowledging that he is still “listening and learning.”
