Talent agency ends relationship with Susan Sarandon over controversial rally remarks regarding Muslim and Jewish communities

Hollywood icon Susan Sarandon and actress Melissa Barrera from In The Heights are facing criticism for controversial comments made amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. United Talent Agency dropped Sarandon, 77, and Barrera, 33, was removed from the upcoming Scream sequel due to language perceived as anti-Semitic. 

The fallout occurred after Sarandon, during a pro-Palestine rally in New York City, called for a cease-fire in the Middle East, with comments that some interpreted as directing hate towards Jews.

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Advocacy Amidst Controversy

During the rally, Sarandon consistently called for a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for action. She expressed, "You don’t have to go through the entire history of that region; you just have to show the babies that are dying in incubators. Those images are enough to show you that something is drastically wrong. We need a ceasefire now."

Meanwhile, Barrera, known for her role as Samantha Carpenter in 2022's Scream and Scream 6, has dedicated the past month and a half to advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. She has been vocal in criticizing the Israeli government, joining others in labeling their actions as a genocide against the Palestinian people.

The production company responsible for the horror films featuring Barrera, Spyglass, discreetly removed her from the movie. Allegedly, this decision was linked to her online posts in which she described Gaza as a colonized country.

In a now-deleted tweet on Tuesday evening, Christopher Landon, the director of Scream 7, appeared to vent his frustration regarding Spyglass' decision concerning the release of the film's star.

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Industry Turmoil Amidst Global Conflict

Across Hollywood, a wave of dismissals, blame-shifting, and sentiments of betrayal unfolds, mirroring a broader struggle within the industry to grapple with the intense emotions triggered by the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East.

The polarization stands out as the industry has generally maintained a unified stance on political matters, displaying collective opposition to former President Trump and steadfast support for reproductive rights. However, on the topic of Israel, visible divisions and disagreements are surfacing, revealing fractures within the industry's typically strong front.