Susan Sarandon Is the Latest .. Hollywood Stars Who Paid a Price for Supporting Palestinians
Al-Taj News – Oscar-winning American actress Susan Sarandon has brought a contentious issue back into the spotlight from the Venice Film Festival: Do Hollywood stars pay a professional price for their pro-Palestinian positions?
Sarandon, 79, said in September 2026 that she continues to lose roles and film opportunities because of her outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel, noting that some talent agencies still advise producers against hiring her, despite her feeling that public debate in the United States over the war in Gaza has changed significantly, according to Reuters.
Her remarks come after a major professional crisis in November 2023, when the American talent agency UTA ended its relationship with her following remarks she made at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York. Sarandon later apologized for the wording of some of her comments, stressing her rejection of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Despite this, the actress has continued her career, particularly through independent cinema and European productions. She appeared at the Venice Film Festival in “The Echo Chamber,” directed by Andrea Ballaurro, signaling her determination to continue working away from the pressures of major studios.
Melissa Barrera .. Losing a Role in “Scream”
Mexican actress Melissa Barrera remains one of the clearest cases of an actress losing a film role over her stance on the war in Gaza.
In November 2023, Barrera was dropped from the seventh installment of the “Scream” franchise after posts on social media in which she criticized Israeli operations in Gaza and described what was happening as “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing.”
Production company Spyglass Media Group said its decision was based on its policy of zero tolerance for antisemitism and hate speech, while Barrera rejected those accusations, reaffirming her opposition to antisemitism and Islamophobia and her commitment to defending Palestinian rights.
