Who is Melissa Barrera?
Melissa Barrera, whose birth date is July 4, 1990, is a Mexican actress who excels in her captivating performances and versatility in both Mexican and American productions. Barrera, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, started her acting career at an early age, participating in the reality show ‘La Academia’ in 2011. Her skill was acknowledged, which led to her starring in popular Mexican television shows like ‘Siempre tuya Acapulco’ (2013), ‘Tanto amor’ (2015), and ‘Club de Cuervos’ (2017).
Her skill has transcended borders as she has become well-known for portraying Sam Carpenter in the thrilling slasher films Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023). Additionally, Melissa has left a lasting impression on television and the big screen with her roles in the Starz series Vida (2018–2020) and the highly acclaimed musical film In the Heights (2021).
| Real Name/Full Name | Melissa Barrera Martínez |
| Date Of Birth | 4 July 1990 |
| Age | 35 years old |
| Birthplace | Monterrey, Mexico. |
| Nationality | Mexican. |
| Religion | Christianity. |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini. |
| Father Name | Rossana Martínez. |
| Mother Name | Tomas Barrera. |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inch |
| Weight | 60 kg |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Paco Zazueta (M: 2019) |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Profession | Actress, and Model. |
| Net worth | $7 Million. |
Early Life
The Mexican actress and singer Melissa Barrera was born on July 4, 1990, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Being the eldest daughter of her parents, Tomás Gerardo Barrera Tames and Rosana Maria Martinez Garca, was a blessing that she was given by God.
The American School Foundation of Monterrey was where Melissa received her education. After completing her studies at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, she pursued musical theater. Throughout her middle and high school years, she has actively participated in theatre and performed in musicals like The Wizard of Oz and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. During her time at NYU, she performed in shows like Sweet Charity and Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
Personal Life
Actor Paco Zazueta is the partner of Melissa Barrera. For several years, the couple has been together and frequently posts photos of each other on social media. After dating for many years, the couple enganged in 2017. After two years, Melissa Barrera and Paco Zazueta married in 2019.
Career
Barrera began her entertainment career by participating in musical theatre, where she demonstrated her skills in well-known productions such as Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Aida. The Mexican reality show La Academia 2011 saw her participate due to her passion for performing. Her debut on television was in La Mujer de Judas in the following year. Barrera was successful in securing leading positions at Siempre Tuya Acapulco and Tanto Amor.
In 2014, Melissa Barrera started her acting career with a minor role in the Mexican television series ‘Siempre Tuya Acapulco.’ In 2015, she was chosen to play a key character in the Mexican television series ‘Tanto Amor’.
Barrera was selected as Lyn’s main character in the Starz drama series Vida in 2018. After being cast in lead roles in In the Heights and Carmen, she was signed to WME, a major acting agency in 2019. Barrera played a role in Jon M. Chu’s musical film In the Heights, which was an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s stage musical. The fifth Scream film was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and Barrera played Sam Carpenter in it. On January 14, 2022, the film was released. The franchise was revitalized by the huge box-office success. The musical film Carmen, featuring Paul Mescal, was released in the same year. Benjamin Millepied was the director of the film, which premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. In December 2022, Bed Rest was quietly released with limited promotion on Tubi with her starring role.
Scream VI and The Collaboration were two movies she starred in in 2023. Barrera starred in the 2024 vampire film Abigail, reuniting with Scream directors Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, as well as the indie film Your Monster; the latter was hailed by some critics as the best performance of her career. She departed from WME in the latter part of 2024.
Net Worth
Melissa Barrera has an estimated worth of around $7 million as of 2025. Acting and endorsements are the main sources of her wealth. She was notable for her roles in the popular Mexican television series Siempre Tuya Acapulco in 2013 and the American TV series Scream from 2015 to 2016. Additionally, Melissa demonstrated her versatility in the 2021 American horror film In the Heights.
