Vanessa Morgan Of “Riverdale” Reveals She’s Paid The Least Among The Regulars
Vanessa Morgan, the only Black regular on Riverdale, decided to share details about the inequality she experiences on the show. Over the weekend she took to Twitter to reveal she’s sick of Riverdale writers sidelining the few Black characters, and that she’s well aware that she’s the least paid of all of the regulars.
Here’s her initial statement:
Tired of how black people are portrayed in Media, tired of us being portrayed as thugs, dangerous or angry people. Tired of us also being used as side kick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only used in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show. It starts with the media. I’m not being quiet anymore.
And the actual tweet:
I’m not being Quite anymore. ✊🏽 #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/JXgJic4mrR
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) May 31, 2020
Three days later she followed up by revealing the pay disparity:
Lmao too bad I’m the only black series regular but also paid the least 😂👏🏽 girl i could go on for days 🐸
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) June 2, 2020
Then tweeted this about her co-stars:
My role on Riverdale has nothing to do with my fellow castmates/friends. They don’t write the show. So no need to attack them, they don’t call the shots & I know they have my back. ♥️
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) June 2, 2020
Before that, she defended her former co-star, Ashleigh Murray, who played Josie until her character was shipped over to that Katy Keene spin-off. The initial tweet has since been deleted, but apparently, a “fan” said Ashleigh got less screen time because she was a “diva”:
You don’t know what the fuck your talking about and don’t talk about my friend like that. Another thing i hate BLACK women being called DIVAS for sticking up for themselves. Maybe the show should write for her like the white characters. You picked the wrong day get off my page. https://t.co/go74B7YBYc
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) May 31, 2020
Lili Reinhart (who plays Betty), tweeted her “1000% support” for Vanessa.
Today Vanessa responded to the media attention she got from her initial tweet:
To my black fans, I have now made it my purpose to fight for us. To the six year old me who had no role model that looked like me on TV. This is for you. We aren’t your token black non dimensional characters. This is being black in Hollywood. I will fight for YOU 🖤 https://t.co/OgsB5ZjDjE
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) June 3, 2020
And I will no longer take roles that don’t properly represent us. PERIOD.
— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) June 3, 2020
I watch Riverdale, and, for those of you who don’t (i.e. those of you with actual taste), I can confirm Vanessa’s take on the Black characters. Vanessa’s character (who was initially introduced as part of a gang) is Cheryl’s girlfriend/second fiddle, and rarely gets any plots of her own. Ashleigh Murray’s Josie was also majorly sidelined. Shit’s gotten so white on that show, it’s basically the actual Archie comics. Looks like Riverdale needs a major shakeup going into their fifth season. Breakups, numerous cast exits, now confirmed that the Black regulars get paid less? Do better, Riverdale. Like, in every single way. Pay discrepancies, plot equality, dialogue, logical plots, consistent characterizations, etc… etc…
Pic: Wenn.com