It’s difficult to be critical of the things we love, especially the binge-worthy shows we’re obsessed with and the actors in it that we stan. However, sometimes our favorite celebs do some problematic things and we need to take a brief interlude, digest and discuss. Recently, The CW’s Riverdale stars, KJ Apa (Archie) and Charles Melton (Reggie), received virtual (and real-life) backlash after fans found out that the stars were involved in fat-shaming rhetoric.
According to US Weekly, some of Melton’s tweets were posted as early as 2012. The tweets include phases that mock people for their weight and subsequent fashion choices—which is obviously disturbing—including comments like, “Fat chicks need to understand that wearing yoga pants is a privilege, not a right.” Uh, yoga pants are for everyone. Can we please stop gatekeeping products and commodities solely to put other people down? And can Melton stop acting like the Riverdale pulling when he isn’t on-set?
These fat shaming tweets from Charles Melton make me sick pic.twitter.com/nxabu4Xv38
— Choni memes (@choniweed) June 17, 2018
While Melton has since made his Twitter account private, as he likely retcons his social footprint, Melton isn’t the only Riverdale cast member who has a ~questionable~ social media history. Nylon reports that since fans rediscovered Melton’s tweets, KJ Apa’s troubling “like” history has also bubbled to the surface.
In response to Melton’s fat-shaming controversy, a Riverdale follower screenshot notes that Apa allegedly liked an Instagram comment that reads, “Making fun of fat is people is the only thing that’s gonna stop those useless bags of shit dying a fat early death.” Archie, say it ain’t so. (Also, we should point out that being fat doesn’t mean you’re a “bag of shit,” especially since your weight isn’t an indicator of your self-worth.)
@kj_apa Maybe this explains why you are friends with Charles Melton. I don’t care how long ago this was. You are a piece of shit back then. You are still now because you show no remorse. pic.twitter.com/VcarxDbjPz
— nah (@bitchgtfa) June 18, 2018
It’s undeniable that Melton’s alleged tweets and Apa’s alleged Insta likes are riddled with fat-phobia and overall hateful monologues against fat people. However, another people’s weight shouldn’t concern you because it doesn’t affect you, and projecting your own hateful ideologies onto someone else doesn’t help them. (Seriously, bullying and harassment doesn’t equate to being a motivational speaker—and you shouldn’t self-impose that unsolicited role or advice onto anyone.)
Following these rehashed tweets, Melton has issued a formal apology in an exclusive statement to Entertainment Tonight. “I’m truly sorry for making inconsiderate comments several years ago and apologize to anyone I hurt. What I posted and said was immature, offensive and inappropriate,” Melton wrote. “I am ashamed of how I acted and there is no excuse for that behavior,” Melton’s statement continued. “I’m striving to do better and will use this experience to grow, helping others to understand how these types of statements are completely unacceptable.”
KJ Apa has yet to respond to the allegations that he liked similar fat-shaming comments on Instagram.
Her Campus will continue to follow and update this story.