MAJE jacket and pants, DIOR bra,  and PANDORA earrings, necklaces, bracelet, and rings. — **MAJE** jacket and pants, **DIOR** bra, and **PANDORA** earrings, necklaces, bracelet, and rings.

In an ever-spinning year that has felt like a decade, actor Madelaine Petsch has endeavored to move in a beam of authenticity, power, and grace. Today, she appears via Zoom from an opaque hotel room in frosted Vancouver, where she is finishing filming season five of Riverdale—the smashingly successful Archie comics remix where she plays crimson-haired, occasional bad girl, Cheryl Blossom. True, a closed production bubble in Vancouver is a far cry from the sunny, bustling energy of Venice, California, where we might have otherwise met for coffee and an interview, but Petsch doesn’t let the technology impair the exchange, dishing freely on the surreal passage of time and consequence of 2020. From social equity on media platforms, the expansive healing scope of meditation, the persistent stigma of veganism, and the radical act of remaining in hope, here is an actor on the rise who is at once accepting of her vulnerability, yet confident in her influence.

Following her cover shoot with photographer Justin Wu, which features fashion labels such as Dior and Chanel, Petsch describes the initiatives she’s supported on her platforms (21 million followers on Instagram alone) to encourage voting during the recent Presidential Election. She speaks with a refreshing, passionate boldness that leaves you wanting more. But before Petsch is an influential actor, she is an individual; she shares that she received backlash when she spoke out in support of Black Lives Matter and the George Floyd protests that swept the nation. Nonetheless, she remains gracefully grounded in sharing her opinions and beliefs while utilizing her platform for change. “There’s so much to learn,” she says resolutely. “I’m not saying I’m an expert by any means. What a crazy time for a pandemic to hit and then all these protests are happening in the US, which are very important I believe, but it was such an introspective and interesting time, because I turned off my voice and I listened. As someone who can’t speak from personal experiences concerning the Black Lives Matter movement, it is so important for me to listen and then use my platform for that.”

HERMÈS sweater, MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION skirt, and PANDORA earrings, bracelets, and rings. — **HERMÈS** sweater, **MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION** skirt, and **PANDORA** earrings, bracelets, and rings.

CHANEL jacket and PANDORA earrings, necklace, and rings. — **CHANEL** jacket and **PANDORA** earrings, necklace, and rings.

With such a massive set of eyeballs watching her every move, it’s understandable that reactions to anything Petsch does on social media are going to be mixed, even if they often tend to a loyal fandom. The ironic and unfortunate discourse of “cancel culture” is that we get so comfortable judging and reacting that we forget to listen. It’s never been so easy to judge and assume. And although the road ahead for our country and our world can seem daunting with no clear pathway in sight, Petsch affirms there is power in the collective. “There’s peace in it too, to know that there is camaraderie in the fact that we are all going through this together,” she says. “All of the anxiety aside, the most beautiful thing I’ve experienced in LA was to see how many people came together to fight, and go to the protests, and seeing communities come together in such a powerful and impactful way really gave me hope for our future.”

It’s the third week of November when we speak. The close of this year finally appears on the horizon, though it still feels like we are looking for the restart button. Petsch agrees that despite all the news and events that continue to present uncertainty, there have been openings to reflect, dream, and look toward healing and change. She then vulnerably shares that this has been one of the most difficult years of her life. First a very public breakup in February, and then the pandemic hit. “My mental health was at an all time low,” she acknowledges. “Every day was definitely a challenge and therapy was absolutely key for me to keep sane. My best friend moved in with me and that was a huge game changer for my mental health. I found ways to be creative while staying positive and reading books. I read this book called Vibrate Higher Daily, and it’s basically about how to radiate positivity. And I found more books to help me navigate.”

MIU MIU top, skirt, leggings, and shoes and PANDORA earrings, bracelets, and rings. — **MIU MIU** top, skirt, leggings, and shoes and **PANDORA** earrings, bracelets, and rings.

MSGM dress and PANDORA earrings, bracelets, and rings. — **MSGM** dress and **PANDORA** earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Like many of us who’ve similarly struggled this year, though, it wasn’t like the snap of some magical fingers or a meditation app would make the weight of things instantly recede. “It really took me probably five months through this whole pandemic to get back to an okay mental state,” she continues. “I had a lot of anxiety over quarantine, and I felt like without my job and without Riverdale, I didn’t know what my identity was. I’m saying this because I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re alone. I’m in the same boat and I feel it, and I’m right there with them.”

Petsch’s outlook is an important reminder to take care of ourselves in whatever shape that may be. Patience is also a huge part of this, with ourselves and each other. Our mind creates our reality; we have to nurture and protect it at all costs. She shares that meditating frequently, checking in with friends, talking with her mom, and reading really helped her remain grounded. “I have this great journal called The Five Minute Journal,” she relates, “and I do it every morning and every night. Even though there are days where I was really struggling, just to remember three things that I was grateful for—whether that be the roof over my head, or the food in my mouth—to start and end the day with really changed my mindset.”

It’s evident in our call that Petsch cares a great deal for the planet, and acts with a graceful intention in the issues she advocates for. As a vegan, environmentalism is close to her heart. She continues to be open with her beliefs and chooses to educate on the benefits of plant-based eating. Although some may assume vegans demand everyone to stop eating meat, she believes in a more holistic and balanced approach, rooted in educating people on the tremendous impact that reducing meat consumption has on the environment. “I think the problem a lot of vegan groups make is that they shun. They are so passionate about animals and the environment, but the way they deliver it almost turns negative and makes people not want to join the movement.” At present, she’s producing a documentary that will come out in 2021 about the impact of veganism on the environment. She’s providing facts, not pushing veganism down your throat. The idea is one less meat meal per day, not making people completely change their lifestyle.

LOUIS VUITTON coat, collar, and belt and PANDORA earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings. — **LOUIS VUITTON** coat, collar, and belt and **PANDORA** earrings, necklace, bracelet, and rings.

FENDI blouse, RON WHITE boots, and PANDORA earrings, necklace, and rings. — **FENDI** blouse, **RON WHITE** boots, and **PANDORA** earrings, necklace, and rings.

But maybe 2020 presents an opportunity to explore meaningful lifestyle changes. Since exploding out of Riverdale, Petsch has been a front row guest for a number of global fashion presentations and events. It’s not unusual to see her cropping up in Milan at the Prada show, or swooping through NYFW. So much of this culture, though, has ceased for the time being. And perhaps Petsch would agree that the grounding halt of so much global activity, and pressure to produce at breakneck speed, presents an opportunity to reconfigure and inspire change—an opportunity to heighten sustainability, as demonstrated recently by global brands as varied as Ermenegildo Zegna to Pandora. Where there is change, there is opportunity.

And it would seem Madelaine Petsch is embracing the change. When we say goodbye to 2020 we can also say goodbye to all that this year held. It came with its barbs and its teeth, but Petsch overcame her setbacks and will continue to rise and heal. She’s wishing and dreaming like all of us right now for that undefinable period out there, on the horizon—a period of prosperity, reunion, or unfiltered joy. She wishes everyone healing, and for us to all step into our light in 2021. She’s wishing for more moments where we remember we are all together.