Madelaine Petsch
Stars in
The CW series
RIVERDALE
Chats with
Tessa Swantek
Photography Jonny Marlow
Creative Director Deborah Ferguson
Madelaine Petsch is best known for her fiery red portrayal of Cheryl Blossom on the CW’s Riverdale, based on the Archie Comics. Petsch has played Cheryl for over five years now as Riverdale recently celebrated its 100th episode which closed off its 5-episode RiverVale special, depicting Riverdale’s multiverse. Cheryl Blossom is a character that blazes- she commands attention with her confidence and wit that sparks from her blood red lips. Certainly not without faults or tragedy, the flames that surround her distract from a dimmed side of her that is insecure, lonely, and broken. While Petsch differs dramatically from Cheryl, she too is fiery red in her own right through her passion, deep commitment, and fierce drive which are all qualities that are evident in her work. She tells us she “loves that fire that there’s always something to be done.” Unlike Cheryl, however, Petsch does not seem to mask her insecurities- in fact, she often openly discusses them on her Youtube channel while a sheet mask covers her face. On her channel, she shares her beauty/self-care routines, healthy lifestyle content, and realistic “day in the life” vlogs. In our interview with her, Petsch reflects on over five years of playing Cheryl Blossom, discusses her upcoming projects and recent executive producing work on her documentary Meat Me Halfway, and shares her beauty obsessions. Read below for the full interview, and tune into the sixth season of Riverdale premiering on the CW March 20, 2022!
Wrap: Pierre Cardin from Tab Vintage , Top and Pants: Nanushka, Heels: Tamara Mellon
First, I just want to start by wishing you a Happy New Year! Is there anything that you are manifesting this year?
Hi! Thank you, you too! To be honest, I’m always manifesting something and being a somewhat superstitious person, I feel like keeping things to yourself before they happen is the way to go. However, I am truly working on finding joy in my day-to-day activities. If I was into resolutions, I think that would be mine. So often, I feel like I go about my daily routine without being mindful or intentional about the actual activity I’m doing- almost in a zombie-like state, it’s so easy to fall into. Now I’m really trying to be intentional in everything I do, to the best of my ability. It’s easier said than done but I think if I try to be present for everything, I’ll be successful a good percentage of the time. And probably happier too.
Shifting to Riverdale, I know you and the cast recently celebrated 100 episodes, congratulations! If you could only use a few words, how would you describe how Cheryl has evolved from season 1 to now?
Thank you! A few words?! That’s tough. Cheryl has grown from an insecure, angry, lonely girl trying to find a place in this world and her own voice, to a woman comfortable in her own skin who takes no shit. But the best part is, she’s discovering new things about herself all the time 6 seasons in which makes it really fun as an artist.
SKIN:
EYES:
LIPS:
In preparing for an interview with Rupert Grint, I saw that he said that as he continued playing Ron Weasley for several years, he felt like his own personality became increasingly similar to Ron’s which I found really interesting. As we near 5 years of Riverdale, do you feel like there is a bond that exists between yourself as Madelaine and Cheryl?
Wow, that is very interesting. I wouldn’t say our personalities are similar, at all. There is DEFINITELY a bond between us though. I, of course, brought pieces of myself to her while building the character. I think most of the time you’ll find me in the broken parts of Cheryl, I really connected with her through her pain in the beginning. When the time comes to say goodbye to Cheryl Marjorie Blossom it’ll be very hard, she’s definitely a huge part of my life and a piece of me.
This season there is a really special episode showcasing Cheryl’s origin story as part of the 5-episode RiverVale series. If you could create your own origin story episode for your own life, what would one of the most important scenes be, whether it be a special memory from childhood or adulthood that has shaped you?
If I had to choose one thing, I would pick the first moment I went out on stage. I had been in dance classes since I was 3, but I did my first play at a children’s theater when I was about 5. I will never forget the feeling I got after my first performance. I wish I could explain it to you, it still hasn’t gone away. I hope it never does.
From the very beginning of the show, Cheryl’s appearance is meant to be very striking as she is often in bright red clothing with a bright red lip. Are there any particular Cheryl looks that have helped you portray her that really stick out to you?
There are definitely a couple, I feel like her cheerleading uniform jumps out at me straight away, even the ‘funeral’ version we made for her for season 2, I believe. The fact that Cheryl has a black cheerleading uniform for occasions like that just hiding away was very indicative of what kind of captain and person she is, and what kind of town Riverdale is. I’d say another one is that red Serpents jacket. When she joined the Serpents I had hoped it would be a great time for her to learn how to be a part of something, but instead she chose to stand out, which is essentially why she was kicked out. I really am lucky to be a part of the dialogue with what I wear on the show. I remember when she was dating Toni in season 3 she started dressing more like Toni because she was losing a bit of herself. Little details like that really do make the character so much more intricate, fleshed out and fun to dive into.
Denim Vest and Dress: IRO SS22, Sunglasses: Valentino, Mules: Tamara Mellon, Nylons: American Apparel
Denim Vest and Dress: IRO SS22, Sunglasses: Valentino, Mules: Tamara Mellon, Nylons: American Apparel
You have also recently gotten into the production side of the industry with Sightless, Meat Me Halfway and Jane which is amazing! Does your mindset around a project shift when you are in control of more elements?
Yes and no. Creatively, I don’t feel my process changes much. However, my mindset is absolutely different on set because I’m no longer just thinking singularly, but about every other facet on set and putting out fires. Truly, you never ‘turn off’ at the end of the day when you’re acting and producing something, which I really love- that fire that there’s always something to be done. It’s incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding as an artist to be a part of something from the very beginning.
I know that you have stressed the fact that Meat Me Halfway is meant to be educational and not at all judgmental. What are some of the most interesting things you learned while creating the documentary?
Making the movie Meat Me Halfway really illuminated this separation we seem to have as a society in relation to our food choices, which is why we don’t want the takeaway from the film to be that we want the entire world to go vegan. I mean, that would be a dream, but it’s unrealistic. It was really fascinating for me to see how people can be so vehemently against something they haven’t even tried (i.e. eating less animal products). But then there’s the flip side of how many open-minded people we came across and how many amazing new companies are coming up to create plant based alternatives to your favorite foods. I was honestly so impressed with the technology behind all these companies.
Jacket and Skirt: Iceberg, Top: Versace from Tab Vintage, Heels: Dee Ocleppo , Bracelets: Cartier
You were immediately attracted to Jane because the script made you feel seen in terms of your own experience with anxiety and panic attacks. Was it a cathartic experience to be playing a character that you could relate to so deeply?
It was cathartic and at times triggering for panic attacks. Having a panic attack scene on set would sometimes spiral me when we were done, but that’s exactly why it was important to me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s also a really fun and dark psychological thriller. But, at the core of it all is this ever-ticking anxiety and it was absolutely my way into the shoes of Olivia.
Jacket and Skirt: Iceberg, Top: Versace from Tab Vintage, Heels: Dee Ocleppo , Bracelets: Cartier
I love your Youtube channel, which I know you’ve said you created partially to control the narrative around how you want to be viewed by the public. Now, with social media, we see a lot more of actors’ personalities apart from their character when that used to be a really ambiguous thing. In general, do you feel like there is more of a hurdle now for viewers to get absorbed in a character when they know the personality of the actor?
That’s an interesting way to look at it, I certainly don’t feel that way. I guess it depends on each individual and their perception of entertainment in general. But I believe (and hope) that if we do our job right, we should be able to immerse the viewer into our world regardless of what interview they watched or what was just posted on Instagram.
On the same topic of your Youtube channel, I actually started ice rolling after I watched one of your videos! Since this interview is for our beauty section, what is your current self-care/beauty obsession?
I love that! I’m honored! I still swear by ice rolling. I also gua shua every day. I’m currently entering my retinol phase, so after MONTHS of research I finally bought one and have been using it for a month. I guess I’d say that has been my obsession.
EYES:
FACE:
When do you feel most beautiful?
I feel most beautiful when I’m really focusing on my mental and emotional health. Whenever I work on gratitude, meditate, and my meaningful connections, or dive into something I’m passionate about, I feel beautiful.
Top and Shorts: Sportmax , Heels: Kat Maconie, Sunglasses: Dior from Tab Vintage , Tights: American Apparel
Photography
Jonny Marlow
Casting, Creative Director, Fashion Editor
Deborah Ferguson
Interview
Tessa Swantek
Makeup
Robert Rumsey @ A-Frame Agency
Hair
Web Layout
Fashion Assistant
Thank you
Lede Company and The CW