Madelaine Petsch Biography

Madelaine Grobbelaar Petsch is an American-South African actress and social media personality best known for her role as Cheryl Blossom on the popular TV series Riverdale, which aired from 2017 to 2023. With her striking red hair and compelling performances, she has captured the hearts of a wide audience, becoming a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Beyond acting, she is also recognized as an internet celebrity and entrepreneur.

Childhood

Madelaine Petsch was born on August 18, 1994, in Port Orchard, Washington, USA, to South African parents. She spent much of her childhood dividing time between the United States and South Africa. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, Madelaine developed an early passion for the performing arts. She began dance classes at age three and enrolled in theater classes by the age of five. She has one older brother named Shaun, who is three years her senior.

Education

Petsch attended the Tacoma School of the Arts, where she further honed her skills in acting and performance. After graduating from high school, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Her formal education in the arts provided a solid foundation for her future work in television and film.

Career

Madelaine Petsch began her professional career in 2014 when she appeared in a national advertising campaign for Coca-Cola. She made her film debut with small roles in movies such as The Hive (2014) and The Curse of Sleeping Beauty (2016). In 2017, she landed her breakthrough role as Cheryl Blossom on The CW's Riverdale, a role she held throughout the show's seven seasons until 2023. This role brought her international fame and critical acclaim. Petsch also acted in several horror films, earning a reputation as a "scream queen" with movies like Polaroid (2019) and Sightless (2020). Beyond acting, she ventured into business by collaborating with sunglass company Privé Revaux to launch her own collection, and she actively engages with fans through her YouTube channel.

Family Life

Madelaine Petsch comes from a close-knit family with South African roots, including her parents Michele and Timothy Petsch, and her brother Shaun. In terms of relationships, she dated rapper and actor T. Mills from 2017 to 2020. Since August 2022, she has been in a relationship with music manager Anthony Li, and as of 2025, she began dating rapper Tyga. She has no children at this time.

Achievements

Madelaine Petsch has achieved considerable success as a young actress, gaining international recognition for her lead role in Riverdale. She has been praised for her versatility and presence in both television and film, particularly within the horror genre. Petsch has also made her mark as a social media influencer and entrepreneur, leveraging her platform to connect authentically with fans and launch business ventures such as her sunglass line. Her advocacy for veganism and animal rights adds to her commendable public image.

Controversies

Madelaine Petsch is generally known for maintaining a positive public profile and has not been involved in any major controversies. She uses her platform to advocate for causes such as veganism and environmental conservation, staying focused on her career and philanthropic efforts.

Madelaine Petsch Summary

Madelaine Petsch is a talented actress and social media personality whose rise to fame came through her iconic role as Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale. Born in Washington state and raised partly in South Africa, she pursued performing arts from a young age, which set the stage for her burgeoning career in Hollywood. Known for her fierce red hair and dynamic presence, Petsch has diversified her career into acting, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. With a loyal fanbase, a commitment to authenticity, and a growing list of achievements, she continues to be an influential figure in entertainment and beyond.