Melissa Barrera
Birthdate: Jul 4, 1990
Birthplace: Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
Melissa Barrera’s English-language feature debut was Whitney Horn’s and Lev Kalman’s indie film, L for Leisure (2014), with Gabriel Abrantes and Mati Diop, which premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival. Her Mexican feature debut was Salim Nayar’s political comedy, A Beginner’s Guide to the Presidency (2016).
Barrera played a supporting role in Carlos Marcovich’s drama, El Hotel (2016), with Fernanda Romero and Damian Alcazar. She starred in the relationship drama, Dos veces tú (2018), with Anahi Davila and Mariano Palacios, followed by a co-starring role in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s screen version of his musical, In the Heights (2021), directed by Jon Chu, with Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, and Jimmy Smits.
Barrera’s most prominent role to date was in the reboot, Scream (2022), directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and co-starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, which Barerra is following up with Scream 6 (2023), with Courteney Cox, Dermot Mulroney, Jenna Ortega, and Hayden Panettiere.
Barrera plays the title role of a modernized film version of Bizet’s Carmen (date to be announced), directed by French choreographer Benjamin Millepied. She stars in the horror film, Bed Rest (2022), by writer-producer-director Lori Evans Taylor.
Personal Details
Monterrey, Mexico-born Melissa Barerra was raised by Rosana and Tomas Gerardo Barerra. She attended and graduated from the American School Foundation of Monterrey. In 2009, Barerra attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying theater and acting, but departed school when she was hired for a hit telenovela produced by Mexico’s TV Azteca. She married singer Paco Zazueta in 2019. Her height is 5’ 7”.
Filmography
actor
Upcoming (1)
Previous (7)
- 2024 | Your MonsterasLaura Franco
Your Monster
After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster living in her closet. A romantic-comedy-horror film about falling in love with your inner rage.
- 2024 |
- 2023 |
- 2023 |
- 2022 | Carmen (2022)
Carmen (2022)
In a small Mediterranean village, Carmen has looked after her brother, the local priest, for her entire life. When the Church abandons Carmen, she is mistaken for the new priest. Carmen begins to see the world, and herself, in a new light.
- 2022 |
- 2021 | In the HeightsasVanessa
In the Heights
In Washington Heights, a sympathetic New York bodega owner saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.
Some Facts About Melissa Barrera
Heritage: Melissa Barerra’s heritage is Mixteca, a blend of Spanish and Aztec origins.
Stage Screams: Barerra was part of the ensemble of a Mexico City stage version of Mel Brooks’s Young Frankenstein.
