5 Times Riverdale Cast Threw Major Shade at the Show
What do the Riverdale stars really think about the show they've been a part of for years?
Riverdale may be a huge hit with fans, but sometimes it feels like its cast is glad that Season 7, which is currently airing on The CW, is the show's final. Since Riverdale hit the screens in 2017, its stars have more than once thrown shade at the series while discussing it in various interviews and on social media.
KJ Apa (Archie Andrews)
The star of Riverdale shared some very hard truths about the show when he talked with Interview magazine. KJ Apa explained that working in The CW hit show came with many restrictions and he didn't feel free while playing Archie Andrews. The actor even went so far as to compare the Riverdale set to prison.
'I feel like I'm in jail a lot of the time,' he said.
After the interview caused a wave of panic among Riverdale fans, the actor clarified that he still loved his job and had previously talked about the lack of creative freedom.
Lili Reinhart (Betty Cooper)
KJ Apa's co-star expressed the same opinion of the show in an interview with Nylon:
'I genuinely feel like a prisoner, going back to work,' she said about returning to the set of Riverdale. Reinhart went on to explain that the COVID pandemic prevented the cast from leaving Canada, where the show was filmed, to see their families.
Bernadette Beck (Peaches 'N Cream)
The actress who stayed with Riverdale for three seasons criticized the series for its lack of diversity and the disparaging attitude towards Black actors. Beck told Elle that she wasn't happy with the negative portrayal of her character and often felt invisible on set because directors and crew did not pay attention to her.
'I feel like I was just there to fulfill a diversity quota,' she said.
Vanessa Morgan (Toni Topaz)
The actress echoed Beck's sentiments, calling out Riverdale for its two-dimensional portrayal of Black characters and inequality on the set.
'I'm the only Black series regular but also paid the least,' she wrote on Twitter.
Her statement prompted the creator of Riverdale to issue an official apology. He also promised to honor and pay more attention to all characters and actors of color.
Camila Mendes (Veronica Lodge)
Though cautiously, the actress has more than once spoken about Riverdale and her role in it as the factor holding back her career. For example, she told Nylon that it's hard to audition for serious adult roles after spending years playing a high schooler. Furthermore, while promoting her movie Dangerous Lies on Instagram, Mendes pointed out that playing a character who graduated from high school was a great experience.
Riverdale Season 7 Episode 4 will air on April 19 on The CW.