‘Riverdale’ Star Vanessa Morgan Reveals She’s Paid Less Than White Co-Stars

Riverdale star Vanessa Morgan took to Twitter in the wake of George Floyd‘s death to reveal that she is paid less than her white co-stars on the television series. She not only discussed the unequal pay, but expressed frustration with how black characters did not receive a main storyline.

In her post on May 31, Morgan said, “Tired of how black people are portrayed in the Media, tired of us being portrayed as thugs, dangerous or angry scary people. Tired of us also being used as side kick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only used in the white ads for diversity but not actually in the show. It starts with the media. I’m not being quiet anymore.”

Morgan is the only regular character who is black. She became a regular character on season 3 of the show and says she is “the token biracial bisexual” in the series.

On June 3, Morgan tweeted, “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” in response to articles being published about her prior statement.

Asha Bromfield, who plays Melody Jones as a member of the Pussy Cat Dolls alongside Morgan on Riverdale, showed support by posting, “Don’t even get me started with how Riverdale treated the Pussycats. We had so much more to contribute than standing in the background and adding sass to a storyline. I stand with you @VanessaMorgan.”

The day after the original tweet, Morgan added, “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.”