I Don't Act To Be Famous

Lili Spills On Love, Life In The Spotlight And Using Her Voice For Change.

- Adrianna Zappavigna

Beyond the dark, dingy diners and neon lights of Riverdale, Lili Reinhart (aka Betty Cooper) has become a household name. Since entering the Archie Comics universe 18 months ago, Lili’s gained two Teen Choice Awards, an entire fandom shipping ‘Bughead’, and 12 million Instagram followers – not too shabby! ‘It’s weird and it’s amazing,’ says the 22-year-old, who’s still learning to cope with being thrust into the limelight.

OVERNIGHT SENSATION

Her sudden success is not something Lili takes for granted. ‘I was in awe a little bit about the fact that I was there and sitting up front,’ she says of attending her first New York fashion show. ‘I feel very honoured to be where I am in such a short amount of time.’

Unlike some who are thrust into the spotlight, fame hasn’t changed Lili, and she credits her loved ones for keeping her grounded. ‘It’s good to go back home and be with my family and friends that I’ve had for years, because they don’t give a shit about the fact that I’m on a TV show,’ she shrugs.

SHE ALMOST THREW IN THE TOWEL

After packing up her life and moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dream, Lili admits that doing audition after audition – and failing – almost broke her spirit… and her bank account! ‘I didn’t have a car, so I was spending $500 Ubering everywhere,’ she recalls. ‘I remember looking at my bank account and seeing all of this money that I’d saved for acting over the course of many years just gone. I had so much anxiety booking work, and I spent almost five months holed up in this bedroom in this house just feeling anxious, waiting for my next audition, and not doing anything else. It was the most miserable time of my life.’