Riverdale is the show where all your ship dreams come true. So it's no real surprise that finally, after much fan pining, the Cheryl and Toni pairing—or Choni, as fans have lovingly named their relationship—is on. While Madelaine Petsch had already confirmed Cheryl Blossom's bisexuality, it wasn't until last week's episode that the romance between Riverdale's resident bombshell and the rough-and-tumble Toni Topaz (Vanessa Morgan) began to bloom.

Following an emotional confession from Cheryl about her first love for a girl, which was ripped apart by her mother, Toni grabbed her hand and told her she was sensational—causing fans all over the internet to squeal in unison.

So if there’s one thing Petsch wants to make explicit when she visits ELLE.com, it’s how much of a joy it is to portray this side of the show's misunderstood mean girl. “I don’t like the word responsibility, because that feels like a heavy thing. And it's not a heavy thing…[bisexual representation] shouldn't be something that we have to raise a flag for, because it should be something that's normal.”

Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl and Vanessa Morgan as Toni in Riverdale Katie Yu + CW

It's so important to her that Petsch even double-checks at the end of our interview that I understand where she's coming from: “I didn't want my response to seem cavalier. I definitely care about representation. You know what I mean?” She needn’t have worried. It’s obvious how passionate she is about both the LGBTQ community and the sweet relationship blossoming (pun intended) between Cheryl and Toni on our screens.

Tonight, we got to see even more of it. Serving as Cheryl's emotional support during the reading of her late father's will and a very awkward dinner with the long-lost Blossom uncle, Toni shows her softer side—and Cheryl follows suit. And with that ominous conversation the young Blossom overheard between Penelope and Claudius, it looks like she's going to need all the love and support she can get.



I caught up with Petsch to talk about how long she knew Choni was going to happen, that Josie obsession, and Cheryl's uncertain future.

You just attended the iHeart Music Awards and you were at an Oscars after party just last week. When you signed on for Riverdale, did you have any idea that your life would be like this?

You know, I think I figured it out once we started airing. But before that I had literally no idea. When I did the pilot, it was a shot in the dark. I was like, "Maybe this will be successful, maybe it won’t. I hope it will." I had faith in the work that we were doing, but I don’t think we had any idea the velocity with which the success would happen.

In the video you shot with us, you said these next three episodes would be massive for Cheryl, and you weren't lying. How long did you know Choni was going to happen?

It’s so funny, because Vanessa was my best friend before the show. I met her when she tested for Josie, like forever ago. So when she booked the show a fan posted something like, "Vanessa and Madelaine are best friends in real life. Like, it’d be crazy if they, you know, got together on the show." And I took a screenshot and sent it to Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa, Riverdale showrunner]. And I was like, "LOL." And he responded, "Lady, you never know."

That's Roberto. I think the minute that he put her on the show he knew—he decided what Cheryl’s sexuality would be. I had been really pushing for it. He had been pushing for it. So, from the minute she came on, we both knew that it was happening. And it’s been really hard to keep my mouth shut, because everyone has been guessing it since she came on the show.

"To know that I'm bringing these stories to light on television is an honor."

What do you mean when you say you were "pushing for it"?

The first season, we just wanted Cheryl to be somebody who's figured out who she was. We didn't really want to deal with her sexuality at all. It was just more about her learning how to be herself. And then for the second season we sat down, he asked me, "What's something you want to see from Cheryl?" And I said, "I think I'd love to see her explore her sexuality." And he was like, "Explore it? What do you mean?" And I said, "I don't think she's straight. Do you?" And he said, "You know what? No, I don't."

So, we kind of delved into that and we talked about why we don't think she's straight and like what, what hints we had. And it's just interesting, because you're getting to know the characters together, but he's the one who ends up writing it. So, you never know what's going to happen. And because my character hadn't really been with anybody in season one, her path hadn't been paved and we liked that. It allowed us to bring such a important topic to television.

Do you feel a sense of responsibility to the LGBTQ community, playing someone who's bisexual?

I don’t like the word responsibility, because that feels like a heavy thing. And it's not a heavy thing. I think this is a very great thing, and I get to be the one who does it. [Bisexual representation] shouldn't be something that we have to raise a flag for, because it should be something that's normal. Bisexuality is normal in our society.

Cheryl's coming-out story is one that I got so many responses to, saying [fans] have dealt with that too. Where their mother or their father pushed that part of them down, and refused to believe that part of them. And my heart was broken. So to know that I'm bringing these stories to light on television is an honor.

So, how did you manage to keep it quiet?

I wouldn't say literally a word. When people asked, I’d smile and say, “Anything’s possible in Riverdale.” That’s my go-to line whenever people ask me that question.

Charles Caesar

What do you like about Cheryl and Toni as a couple?

From day one you could see that Toni struck a different chord with her. You know, from the way that she irked her. Cheryl never really goes head to head with anybody that she doesn't know. And yet, the first time she met Toni she was going to battle with her.

I think it's because Toni sparked a fire in her, and an interest and excitement. Then they spend one day together and Cheryl shares her deepest secrets with her. I think Toni sees through the facade, and sees the broken little girl that Cheryl really is. And Cheryl's never really been around anybody who's interested in her story. So, I think that Toni brings a softness to her. And the more the season goes on you really see this beautiful vulnerability and softness to Cheryl.

So are we not going to see anything more about Cheryl's little obsession with Josie?



It definitely gets addressed. It will be addressed.

Now that Cheryl's with Toni, is she going to have to do the Serpent Dance like Betty?

Roberto knows that I'm happy to do anything he wants me to do. But I would prefer not to do it. If he asked me to do it I would, and he knows that. But whatever. Come what may, I'll do whatever I've got to do.

Jumping to that ominous conversation between Penelope and Claudius, is Cheryl in danger?

Yes. I think what's the most disturbing to me as the actor and as Cheryl is that she has always been [a little worried] about her parents. But I believe that's the first time she's ever heard her mom threaten her like that—and to the point where she feels like her life is at stake. It's one thing that you can't trust your parents, but it's a whole other thing to feel like your life is threatened by the people who gave you life.

I know there is going to be speculation, so I have to ask: Is there any way Claudius isn't really a twin and Clifford is really alive?

I honestly don't know. You know, I thought that too at first. That's the fun thing about being on this show—I'm as in the dark as you guys. But I think that's cool. I'm down for that.

Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8 P.M. EST.



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