Lili Reinhart Vanessa Morgan Riverdale
[Photos via The CW]

Lili Reinhart says Vanessa Morgan’s comments have changed ‘Riverdale’

Riverdale star Lili Reinhart has opened up about how Vanessa Morgan‘s recent criticism of the show has led to some big changes.

As well, Reinhart revealed the specific reason she decided to appear onscreen in her underwear during Riverdale‘s most recent season.

Read more: These shoes turn listening to music into a full-body experience

The Archie Comics-based Riverdale remains one of the most popular series on The CW right now. Despite its success, however, the show has faced criticism from its actors.

Over the past few months, various actors have come forward about Riverdale‘s treatment of Black actors and Black characters.

Morgan shared that the show doesn’t allow for Black characters to develop and that they are often in the background of scenes. As well, the Black characters’ storylines often pertain to underthought “sidekick” roles. Following the critiques, Riverdale’s showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa shared that changes will be implemented going forward.

Reinhart backs Aguirre-Sacasa’s promise and further reveals how Morgan’s comments have impacted the future of the show.

“I mean, the show historically has been pretty white,” she says. “Roberto is very conscious of it now to make sure that that doesn’t happen again and Vanessa doesn’t feel that she’s put in that position again.”

Read more: This fan decoded The Riddler’s cryptic message in ‘The Batman’ trailer

Reinhart also shares that she is now a Riverdale producer. Through this role, she wants to make sure there are equal representation and treatment on Riverdale going forward.

“I feel as a producer now moving forward how important it is that I’m not stereotyping, stereo casting anything,” she continues. “Really making sure I’m going out of my way to do right by Black people, by transgender people, by people who don’t look like me.”

In her recent interview with the LA Times, Reinhart also opens up about how she took one nerve-wracking experience and turned it into something positive for the show’s fans.

In Riverdale‘s most recent season, Reinhart had to appear in her underwear. She shares that she doesn’t have the “The CW” body which led to her feeling unconfident in herself.

“I don’t have the CW girl body — tiny waist, nice-shaped legs, skinny, small, tiny,” she shares. “I had to do a bra and underwear scene in this last season and I felt really insecure about it.”

Read more: The first look at ‘The Haunting Of Bly Manor’ is finally here

She goes on to share that she wasn’t pressured into doing the scene, but decided to film it for Riverdale‘s fans. By doing the scene, she felt she was further practicing body positivity, something she has always been outspoken about.

“I wasn’t pressured into doing it,” she continues. “I did it because it was my job. But I felt bad about myself doing it. I really did. And this is where it gets complicated. I can’t preach body positivity if I don’t practice it. So even if I’m not feeling amazing about my body, I felt it was important for me to do the scene anyway in my bra and underwear so people could see my body as it was. I did it for the people who feel like they need to look a certain way.”

What are your thoughts on Lili Reinhart’s comments? Let us know in the comments below.