Celebrating Madelaine Petsch’s 30th Birthday: A Look into Her Life and Acting Career
Star Madelaine Petsch has become a household name in television through her standout performance as Cheryl Blossom on The CW’s popular show, Riverdale, spanning seven seasons. With a career in acting that began at the age of five, Petsch has made a name for herself in the horror and mystery genres, starring in films such as Jane and Polaroid. As she celebrates her 30th birthday on Sunday, August 18, 2024, we reflect on her life and accomplishments.
Early life
Madelaine Grobbelaar Petsch was born on August 18, 1994, in Port Orchard, Washington, USA. Raised by her South African parents, Michele and Timothy S Petsch, the now 30-year-old spent her early years shuttling between South Africa and Washington. She has an older brother, Shaun Petsch.
At the age of 3, she started taking dance classes, and at 5, she joined theater classes, marking her introduction to acting. Petsch graduated from the Tacoma School of the Arts in Washington before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
In 2017, Petsch spoke about the challenges she faced growing up as an outsider in a small Washington town. She and her brother were often bullied for their red hair, South African accents, vegan lifestyle, and religious stance.
Petsch is an advocate for the vegan community and is actively involved in PETA campaigns.
Hollywood career
Petsch made her TV debut with Coca-Cola’s national advertising campaign in 2014. In 2016, she landed the role of Cheryl Blossom in Riverdale, which became her breakthrough role and continued for seven seasons until the show concluded in 2023.
Alongside her TV success, Petsch ventured into Hollywood with the 2019 horror film Polaroid. She also runs a popular YouTube channel to connect with her fans beyond her on-screen characters. Despite setbacks, such as being replaced in a film role, Petsch has continued to build a diverse portfolio in genres like horror, mystery, and rom-coms.
Recently, she signed on for Renny Harlin’s The Strangers trilogy, leading the way in the second installment set to release in late 2024.
Personal Life
Petsch was in a relationship with rapper Travis Mills for three years before parting ways in 2020. Following their breakup, she started dating Halsey’s music manager, Anthony Li, in 2022. Prior to this, she was linked to British fencer Miles Chamley-Watson.
She has been open about her mental health struggles, especially during the aftermath of her breakup with Travis Mills amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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