Melissa Barrera’s representatives at WME and Sugar23 are considering terminating the actress as a client due to the actress’s recent social media remarks concerning the Israeli-Gaza conflict, which have once again drawn criticism.
The actress from “In the Heights” and “Scream” earlier this week included a link in her bio on Instagram asking her fans to support “all the martyrs in Gaza and the West Bank” by making a financial donation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Due to the fact that Barrera shared the link only one day after the Biden administration and a number of other nations cut off funding to the organization due to shocking claims that twelve UNRWA employees took part in the 
“Ximena Barrera’s Ongoing Controversy: Traction in the Industry, Potential Termination Considered by WME”
Barrera’s posts soon gained traction in the business and within WME, which spoke with outside counsel regarding the most appropriate way to terminate her in light of the possibility of negative fallout. (A representative from WME denied the use of outside advisors.) According to sources, she was about to lose her clientele with the agency and her management business, Sugar23. However, both chose on Thursday to go backwards for the time being. Both Sugar23 and WME declined to comment.
Barrera was let go from “Scream VII” by Spyglass Media in November due to remarks Barrera made on social media on the conflict, including one in which she accused Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing” and of “distorting the Holocaust to boost the Israeli arms industry.” Over the previous two years, Barrera was in the lead for the fifth and sixth “Scream” entries. “Ximena Barrera’s Sundance Chant Raises Concerns: Accusations of Antisemitism Surround Actress’ Actions”
“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,” a Spyglass spokesperson said at the time in a statement to Variety, explaining the decision.
During a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Main Street that drew up to a hundred protestors, Barrera chanted the divisive phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” during this month’s Sundance Film Festival. The American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League have deemed the slogan antisemitic and believe it poses a threat to Israel’s continued existence as a Jewish state. Although WME was aware of her provocative statements, “Ximena Barrera Faces Backlash Over UNRWA Support: Social Media Posts Trigger Controversy and Internal Dispute”
However, an insider claims that given the general astonishment about the organization’s connections to the attacks on October 7, Barrera’s new posts were considered the “final straw.” The following nations have frozen funding to the organization: Australia, Canada, Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Japan, Austria, and Romania. The United States was the first to do so. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among other legislators, attacked the Biden administration for the UNRWA decision, describing it as “unacceptable.”
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Barrera strengthened her stance and stated on Instagram, “I guess it’s always up to the people,” as the UNRWA scandal spread. With @unrwa, I created a fundraiser. Give what you can and spread the love—may you receive 10 times as much in return. An additional person with knowledge of the WME internal dispute
FAQ
1. Why did Ximena Barrera face backlash on social media? Ximena Barrera faced backlash on social media after sharing a link in her Instagram bio urging fans to support “all the martyrs in Gaza and the West Bank” through a financial donation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
2. What led to the controversy surrounding Ximena Barrera’s posts? Barrera’s posts coincided with the Biden administration and several other nations cutting off funding to UNRWA due to allegations that twelve UNRWA employees participated in the conflict. Her statements and fundraising efforts drew attention within the entertainment industry and her agency, WME.
3. Did WME consider terminating Ximena Barrera? Yes, sources suggest that WME considered terminating Barrera due to potential negative fallout. However, as of Thursday, both her agency, WME, and management business, Sugar23, have decided to retain her for the time being.
4. Why was Ximena Barrera removed from “Scream VII” in November? Barrera was let go from “Scream VII” by Spyglass Media in November due to controversial remarks on social media regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where she accused Israel of “genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
5. What was Spyglass Media’s stance on Ximena Barrera’s removal from “Scream VII”? Spyglass Media took a strong stance against antisemitism and hate speech, asserting that they have zero tolerance for such behavior. Barrera’s comments on the conflict were deemed inappropriate, leading to her removal from the film.
6. Did Ximena Barrera participate in a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Sundance Film Festival? Yes, Barrera participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Sundance Film Festival, where she chanted a divisive phrase considered antisemitic. This event, along with her controversial posts, contributed to the ongoing scrutiny.
7. Why did some countries freeze funding to UNRWA? Several countries, including the United States, froze funding to UNRWA following allegations of employees participating in the conflict. The decision was criticized by some legislators, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who deemed it “unacceptable.”