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Melissa Barrera on being blacklisted:

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Why it worked

The video leverages a high-profile celebrity's controversial experience to discuss a sensitive geopolitical issue, tapping into public interest and debate surrounding both the conflict and cancel culture in Hollywood.

Summary

Actress Melissa Barrera discusses being blacklisted from Hollywood after speaking out about the conflict in Gaza. She shares her experience of facing consequences for her activism, including being fired from "Scream 7," and reflects on the importance of human rights over power and money.

Structure

1Barrera discusses being blacklisted for her activism.
2The video details her posts about Gaza and subsequent firing from "Scream 7."
3She mentions splitting with her agency and the industry's reaction.
4Barrera expresses sadness over the prioritization of power and money over human lives.
5She concludes by stating she is still active in her career and launching a production company.

Product placement

AJ+ (appears, logo in corner, does not change video content) Latino USA (appears, logo in corner, does not change video content) Spyglass Media Group (acts, fired Barrera from Scream 7, removing it would change the narrative) Scream 7 (appears, movie title, removing it would change the narrative) WME (acts, Barrera split with them, removing it would change the narrative) Instagram (acts, Barrera posted daily on it, removing it would change the narrative) Broadway (appears, Barrera is on it, removing it would not change the narrative)

On-screen text

Melissa Barrera on being blacklisted: A lot of people that got fired for basically saying Palestinians deserve human rights and they shouldn't be getting bombed and attacked in this way. It's hard to comprehend. But it's also not the first time that has happened to someone and it won't be the last. In late 2023, Barrera posted daily on Instagram, calling out Israel's genocide in Gaza. Weeks later, Spyglass Media Group fired her from her leading role in "Scream 7." She split with her agency, WME, the next year. Barrera and others in the industry say she's been blacklisted. It's sad to me that there are interests that are more important to certain people of power and money. That they don't care about people's lives and that they will do everything they can to shut people up from saying that people deserve to live, that children deserve to grow up. Barrera said she faced intense backlash because she was one of the first in Hollywood to speak out. I was one of a lot of people that faced consequences. But I'm on Broadway now. So who's laughing last? You know, like, I'm still here. And I'm about to launch my production company.

Original caption

Melissa Barrera was fired in 2023 from “Scream 7” for saying Palestinians deserve human rights. Now she’s talking about the price she paid for being one of the first to speak up. #Palestine #Gaza #Hollywood #Activism