‘Riverdale’ actress speaks out: ‘I’m the only black series regular but also paid the least’

“Riverdale” actress Vanessa Morgan took to social media this week to blast “how black people are portrayed in media” and said she is “the only black series regular but also paid the least” on the hit TV show.

“Tired of how black people are portrayed in 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 ads for diversity but not actially in the show. It starts with the media. I’m not being quite anymore,” Morgan tweeted this week.

I’m not being Quite anymore. ✊ #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/JXgJic4mrR

— Vanessa Morgan (@VanessaMorgan) May 31, 2020

Morgan later responded to a fan who said that Morgan’s paycheck should be doubled because she also portrays an LGBTQ character.

“Lmao too bad I’m the only black series regular but also paid the least girl i could go on for days,” Morgan tweeted Tuesday.

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

Morgan urged fans not to “attack” her fellow cast members on the show because “they don’t write the show” and “they don’t call the shots & I know they have my back.”

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

Lili Reinhart, who stars in the show alongside Morgan, tweeted Tuesday: “We love you, V. And support you 10000%.”

We love you, V. And support you 10000%.

— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) June 2, 2020

Morgan tweeted that same day: “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.”

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

Asha Bromfield, who previously played Melody Jones on “Riverdale,” one of the members of Josie and the Pussycats on the show, tweeted Tuesday: “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.”

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. https://t.co/IUMm9xaFYO

— ASHA (@ashabrom) June 2, 2020

Morgan’s tweets come as protests across the country have erupted over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed last week in police custody after a white officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.