Net Worth Ranker
What Is Melissa Barrera’s Net Worth?
Melissa Barrera, the multifaceted actress and singer, has cultivated a notable career spanning telenovelas, Hollywood films, and streaming series. Her diverse roles and increasing prominence in the entertainment industry contribute to her estimated net worth of $2 million.
Early Career and Telenovela Success
Born on July 4, 1990, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Melissa Barrera’s early exposure to the performing arts took place at the American School Foundation of Monterrey. There, she actively participated in school productions of popular musicals such as “Grease” and “Footloose.” While specific financial details from these early performances are unavailable, they laid the foundation for her future career.
Barrera’s television journey began in 2011 as a contestant on the Mexican reality musical talent show “La Academia.” Although precise earnings from her participation in the show are not publicly disclosed, it marked her entry into the professional entertainment sphere. Following “La Academia,” she secured recurring roles in the telenovelas “La mujer de Judas” in 2012 and “La otra cara del alma,” further building her experience and exposure.
Her breakthrough role arrived in 2014 with “Siempre Tuya Acapulco,” where she played Olvido Pérez. While specific salary details for her work on “Siempre Tuya Acapulco” are not publicly accessible, leading roles in telenovelas typically provide a steady income and enhance an actor’s visibility. She followed this with another lead role in 2015 in “Tanto amor,” solidifying her position in the telenovela industry. These roles are significant for building her initial net worth.
Transition to Hollywood and Film Roles
Melissa Barrera made a significant transition to Hollywood, which considerably influenced her net worth. Her appearance in the 2021 film “In the Heights,” an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, marked a pivotal moment in her career. In “In the Heights,” Barrera portrayed Vanessa, the love interest of the protagonist Usnavi (played by Anthony Ramos), with her performance and rendition of the song “It Won’t Be Long Now” receiving widespread acclaim.
While the exact salary Barrera earned for “In the Heights” remains undisclosed, starring in a major studio musical production significantly boosts an actor’s profile and earning potential. “In the Heights” grossed $44 million worldwide, giving Barrera greater recognition. Following this, Barrera starred in the drama film “All the World is Sleeping,” which premiered at the New York Latino Film Festival. Though specific financial details for this film are not available, it contributed to her growing body of work.
2022 was a particularly important year for Barrera, starting with her role as Sam Carpenter in the slasher film “Scream,” the fifth installment in the “Scream” franchise. The “Scream” franchise has a devoted fan base, and the film grossed over $140 million worldwide. While her exact salary for “Scream” has not been publicly revealed, it is reasonable to assume that she received a substantial payment for her participation in such a successful franchise. For a lead role in a horror franchise reboot, salary ranges can vary widely, often influenced by the actor’s previous experience and the overall budget of the film. However, such roles typically offer significant compensation, ranging from several hundred thousand to over a million dollars, plus potential backend deals contingent on the movie’s box office success. Barrera also starred in the musical drama “Carmen” alongside Paul Mescal and the supernatural horror film “Bed Rest.” While financial figures for these films are not readily available, they added to her filmography and income.
In 2023, Barrera reprised her role as Sam Carpenter in “Scream VI.” The sequel continued the financial success of the reboot, grossing over $168 million globally. It’s plausible that Barrera’s salary increased for the sequel given the first movie’s success. Apart from these films, Barrera has also appeared in “The Collaboration,” a biographical drama based on the play about Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and “Your Monster,” a romantic horror comedy directed by Caroline Lindy. Specific financial data for these projects are not available; however, each role contributed to both her professional growth and net worth.
Television Roles and Streaming Success
In addition to her film work, Melissa Barrera has also made significant contributions to television, which has bolstered her net worth. From 2018 to 2020, she starred as Lyn Hernandez in the Starz series “Vida.” The series received positive reviews for its representation and storytelling. Although the specific salary details for her role in “Vida” have not been publicly released, lead roles in television series generally provide a steady income over the duration of the show. Based on industry standards and the prominence of the series, her earnings from “Vida” would likely have been a substantial contributor to her net worth.
Barrera starred in the Netflix limited series “Keep Breathing” in 2022. In the series, she played Liv, an attorney who must survive in the Canadian wilderness after her plane crashes. While the exact financial compensation Barrera received for “Keep Breathing” is not public knowledge, starring in a Netflix series can be lucrative. Netflix has a history of paying actors competitive salaries, and limited series often come with attractive deals. Given Barrera’s lead role, her earnings from “Keep Breathing” likely further increased her net worth.
Musical Endeavors
In 2013, Melissa Barrera explored her musical talents as part of the duo Melissa y Sebastian. While specific sales and streaming figures for their album and single “Mamma Maria” are not available, the popularity of the song on the radio would have generated some income. Her journey as part of Melissa y Sebastian provided additional earnings and broadened her artistic reach, thereby contributing to her overall net worth.
Controversy and Career Impact
In late 2023, Melissa Barrera faced controversy due to her social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war. These posts, in which she voiced support for Palestine and described Israel’s actions as “genocide and ethnic cleansing,” led to her being fired from her lead role in the upcoming film “Scream VII.” This decision would have significantly impacted her immediate earnings. Being removed from such a high-profile project could lead to a loss of potential income from salary, backend profits, and future opportunities associated with the franchise. Given her pivotal role in the previous two “Scream” films, her anticipated salary for “Scream VII” could reasonably have been in the range of $500,000 to $1 million or more, depending on the terms of her contract and the success of the previous films.
Personal Life
Melissa Barrera married musician Francisco Xavier Zazueta in early 2019. The two met while competing on “La Academia” in 2011 and began dating shortly afterward. Details about their shared assets or financial agreements are not publicly accessible.
