In a bold move that’s now sparking headlines, actress Melissa Barrera has openly slammed Variety journalist Tatiana Siegel. Barrera accused Siegel of writing “hit pieces” about her and fellow actress Rachel Zegler, calling out what she believes is a pattern of unfair reporting.
The drama unfolded on Instagram Stories, where Barrera didn’t hold back. She pointed straight at Siegel, saying the articles painted her and Zegler in a bad light, especially when it came to their support for Palestine.
Barrera wrote,
“The same journalist who published hit pieces about me for speaking about Palestine is now coming after Rachel Zegler.”
Barrera’s frustration is traced back to two significant stories written by Siegel.
The first came in 2023 after Barrera was fired from Scream VII. Siegel’s article linked Barrera’s dismissal to her pro-Palestine social media posts. The piece implied that Barrera’s comments crossed the line and echoed Spyglass Media’s claim that her words violated their “zero tolerance” policy against antisemitism and hate speech. Barrera had also posted messages condemning both antisemitism and Islamophobia, but that nuance was lost in the headlines.
The second story landed just this week, this time targeting Rachel Zegler. Siegel’s article, “Inside Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Fiasco,” suggested that Zegler’s “Free Palestine” post in 2024 helped fuel a backlash against the Snow White remake. Siegel even connected Zegler’s political stance to threats against co-star Gal Gadot and extra security costs for Disney.
This was not just about one article for Barrera; it was about a trend. She said that Siegel seemed to slant stories toward the studios and against the actresses’ right to speak about things they are passionate about.
“This isn’t journalism. This is targeted; every time we raise our voices, we get dragged like villains.”
Barrera wrote in her Instagram Story.
Fans were quick to react. Many defended Barrera and Zegler, saying the media has been too quick to blame them for problems that run deeper than a social media post.
Melissa Barrera is no stranger to fighting for herself. Perhaps most recognizable for her performances in Vida, Scream VI, and the upcoming Abigail, Barrera has long spoken about her creative process. After leaving the production of Scream VII, Barrera doubled on talking about human rights—even if it meant losing her part.
Similarly, Disney Snow White’s young star, Rachel Zegler, was heavily condemned after tweeting “Free Palestine” in 2024. Some critics blamed the film’s box office flopping on her. But her fans say that she was scapegoated for production with issues long before her tweet.
Barrera’s call-out isn’t strictly political. It’s about the creative process and the need artists feel to be connected to the people for whom they’re creating. Both Barrera and Zegler have tried to be accurate in their public personas—through powerful performances, vulnerable interviews, or unfiltered social media posts.
Speaking up for Barrera is not about stirring up controversy. It’s about contributing something worthwhile on screen or online.
“We make art to move people,”
She once said in an interview.
“And when you have something to say, you should be able to say it.”
She believes the media should encourage honesty and not misrepresent it.
The internet exploded after Barrera’s post. Fans praised her for coming forward, and one fan tweeted, “We stand with Melissa and Rachel.” Other people fought back, saying that the drama wasn’t needed or labeling Barrera “irrelevant.”
However, most agreed that the issue here is not about an actress and a journalist and another actress. It is about celebrities’ freedom to be themselves in an industry that often asks them to shut up.
