It is in fear that our star has been able to find her magnified brilliance. From Monterrey, with love, for the whole world, we present a woman who has challenged an industry with authenticity and courage.

From the microphones to the stage, and from there to the screens. Today more than ever, the international spotlight is on Melissa Barrera, the Monterrey native who has made us sing, cry and scream in fear on more than one occasion. Talented and inspiring, she is a woman who faces with determination a frightening industry that has tried to distance her from her convictions. 

Novels, films, series, reality shows , plays and even a microphone in hand, Melissa Barrera has achieved everything at her young age and today stands as one of the greatest Mexican promises in the entertainment industry. However, it was not acting that sparked her career, but music: «When I was little, what I wanted was to be a singer, a pop star like Thalía. I saw that she had albums, but I also saw her in Marimar . I saw her do everything and I said “wow, I can do everything too.” It was a revelation.» 

Although she started out singing —as she will be remembered at La Academia— this led her to her true passion: “Once I tried musical theatre I realised that I really like music, but I like to disappear into a character more. Since I was too shy, I protected myself by playing a role that wasn’t me. I put myself in another skin and I feel brave, I can do whatever… because I’m not me. I like the combination of the two things [music and acting]. I don’t think I could sacrifice either of them.” 

Melissa is living proof of the talent that Mexico has to offer and proves that Latinos deserve to be front and center in any industry. Her career includes a long list of successful projects, both national and international. Curiously, her talent has consolidated her in an unexpected role: the new Mexican “ scream queen” : “From the age of ten to fourteen I watched too many horror movies. I loved to suffer […], but then I saw Saw and I was traumatized by body horror . I realized that it was too graphic for me. […] I started my career without being a fan of horror, so it was very surprising when the opportunity came for Scream , which was my first film in this genre.” 

The blockbuster film franchise had not produced a new installment for some time, so this proposal represented a unique opportunity: “Once you do one, the industry starts to see you that way, then you get more offers with those types of scripts. I started to fall in love with different horror roles and now I’m fascinated by it.” But getting on this catapult was not an entirely pleasant journey. Last year, Melissa faced what she describes as “the biggest test that life has ever put her through.” The actress was removed from the production due to social media posts related to Palestine. 

«It was very difficult. I thought that maybe everything was over, because everything confirmed it. Thousands of projects were taken away from me. I had private messages of support from everyone in the industry, but no one dared to support me publicly. […] It was a very lonely time, although many people also came into my life who supported me enormously.» 

In an environment as volatile as Hollywood, any “misstep” can cost you your career, but her story is an example of how being true to your convictions is more rewarding: “Now, a year later, I can confirm that. […] I think there are still a lot of people who are very angry, but I don’t regret what I said, I stand by each of my words. […] And the truth is that now, everywhere I go, people stop me to say, “Thank you for using your platform, thank you for using your voice.” 

It is in adversity that we find our true strength, and in this episode of her life, that was her greatest discovery: “I feel like I was reborn stronger. […] For my peace of mind, in the future I want to be able to say which side I was always on. When my children and grandchildren ask me, I will be able to say that I spoke up, that I did not remain silent.” But where do you find the drive to continue when the road seems turbulent? “It is literally being so in love with your dreams that no one can take them away from you. […] Being so sure that you are going to achieve it that you do not move from there and that you do everything necessary to stay in the fight,” concludes Melissa.