The CW‘s actresses of color are fed up with how they’re being treated — onscreen and off.
Riverdale star Vanessa Morgan unleashed a Twitter tirade this week seemingly accusing the hit teen drama of making her character, Toni Topaz, nothing more than a “token” minority who mainly exists as a non-dimensional “side kick” for the “white leads” — and now other CW stars of color are ready to speak out about their own frustrations!
It all started over the weekend when a Twitter user claimed Morgan’s Riverdale co-star Ashleigh Murray, who plays Josie (of Josie and the Pussycats, obvi), was “written off” the series for being a “known diva” who “didn’t want to share the screen with other talented women.”
The post has since been deleted, but not before Vanessa responded in defense of Murray. She wrote:
“You don’t know what the f**k 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.”
Before thanking Vanessa for her support, Ashleigh gave the troll a response of her own, writing:
“Lol you clearly have me mixed up with someone else. I love the Pussycats more than any show ever did. If it were up to me, we’d have our own show. And you obviously don’t watch Katy Keene because sis is surrounded by women. So f**k all the way off “
But Morgan wasn’t done just yet.
In a fiery follow-up post, the Canadian actress told her followers she’s tired of how not only The CW, but the media in general, portrays black people, writing:
“Tired of how black people are portrayed in the media. Tired of us also being used as side kick non-dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only being used in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show.”
Yes! Go off!!
As fans know, Morgan gets significantly less screen time than her fellow cast members despite being a series regular on the show. After being on the show since season two, viewers still don’t know much about her character Toni, as Toni’s storylines usually revolve around her relationship with Cheryl Blossom (Madeline Petsch).
For her part, Morgan made it clear she’s not a fan of Toni being, as she put it, “used as the token biracial bisexual.” She replied to her friend, writing:
“Lmao too bad I’m the only black series regular but also paid the least… girl i could go on for days”
Meanwhile, The Flash actress Candice Patton has hinted at dealing with race-related traumas of her own.
In response to actress Samantha Ware accusing former Glee co-star Lea Michele of making her time on the show “a living hell,” Patton tweeted:
“Oh man. Oh man. Oh man. Oh man oh man. Current state of affairs bringing up so much trauma for us….”
Hmmm…
Whether Patton’s trauma has to do with how her character is written or an experience with a castmate is unclear.
But, for the record, Morgan said her problem was NOT with her Riverdale co-stars. She noted:
“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”
Shortly after, the 28-year-old said she finally feels like she can “speak up for myself and my fellow brothers and sisters & be heard. Usually everyone is fake listening. I really hope a change is coming.”
Sounds like these woman have much more tea to spill!!
What do U think about all this, Perezcious readers?
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