Hello, and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen Podcast!
I am Valerie Complex, an associate editor and film writer at Deadline. You may be wondering why this is publishing on a Tuesday, instead of Friday? Well, the good news is this is the first of a special two-part episode series taking place this month. Don’t worry, though! The show will be back for it’s third season officially on Friday’s soon!
Today, I’m chatting with actress, singer, and dancer Melissa Barrera–a dynamic, multifaceted talent who has captured the attention of audiences through her versatile and charismatic performances. Melissa can currently be seen starring in the Universal Studios horror film Abigail, which was released in theaters on Friday, April 19th.
The film follows a group of criminals who have been hired to kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure: all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is watch the girl overnight. In an isolated mansion, the captors start to dwindle, one by one, and they discover, to their mounting horror, that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl. The blood-thirsty vampire flick reunites Melissa with the hit Radio Silence directing team, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.
Melissa will later be seen in the horror romance, Your Monster, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Vertical Entertainment. Written and directed by Caroline Lindy, the film follows an aspiring actress Laura Franco (Barrera), whose life falls apart after a cancer diagnosis and devastating breakup. The soft-spoken actress finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster (Tommy Dewey) living in her closet.
Coming soon, Melissa will star in a captivating film about one of history’s most defining moments in the Modern art world, The Collaboration. Written by Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody), the film, based on an acclaimed play, where two contrasting iconic artists, international superstar Andy Warhol (Paul Bettany) and Jean-Michel Basquiat (Jeremy Pope), thrive in New York City’s 1980’s art scene and begin a successful collaboration transforming modern art history forever.
Following the massive box office success of the last installment of the iconic horror franchise Scream, Melissa could be seen reprising her leading role in the next chapter, Scream VI. In this Paramount and Spy Glass Media production, the survivors of the previous Ghostface murders leave their hometown of Woodsboro behind to start fresh in New York City. However, they soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when a new killer embarks on a rampage. Since its release, the film has become Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and has become the highest grossing film of the franchise.
She had also captivated audiences in 2021 with her exceptional performance in Warner Brother’s movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical In the Heights, where she received a 2022 Satellite Award nomination for Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical for her performance.
She began her career starring in popular telenovelas in her native country of Mexico, including La mujer de Judas and La otra cara del alma as well as the renowned Siempre tuya Acapulco and Tanto amor. She has starred as Lyn in STARZ’s critically acclaimed series Vida and Mía González in Netflix’s Club de Cuervos. An accomplished singer, she’s starred in musicals such as Spring Awakening, Young Frankenstein and the Spanish pop-rock musical Hoy no me puedo levantar at the Teatro Aldama in Mexico City.
Off-screen, Barrera is an advocate for inspiring change, setting an example, and motivating others to use their voice. She has collaborated with Bold Futures, a non-profit that leads policy change, research, place-based organizing, and culture shift by and for women and people of color in New Mexico.
On this episode of Scene to Seen, Barrera and I discuss Abigail, forming collaborative relationships in Hollywood, and how to remain true to yourself as a performer and individual.
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