Riverdale star Vanessa Morgan says she now feels more comfortable as a woman in the entertainment industry as a result of the #MeToo movement – but warned there is still work to do.
The movement rose to prominence in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment on a massive scale in the industry, with disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein facing a trial after being accused of rape.
Morgan, 26, plays Toni Topaz in teen drama Riverdale and welcomed the changing culture in showbusiness.
She told the Press Association: “I still think we have a lot of work to do and I still think we are very behind. I am starting to feel more comfortable as a woman in the entertainment industry because of the #MeToo movement so I feel so proud of all the women that came forward and who are fighting for us.
“We obviously have a lot of work to do but at least there is a movement and something is happening.”
Canadian actress Morgan was speaking ahead of the MTV Movie And TV Awards, where Riverdale is nominated in four categories; Best Kiss; Best Musical Moment; Show Of The Year and Best Scene Stealer.
For the second year in a row, the ceremony includes gender neutral categories, in a breakaway from other major awards shows.
Morgan praised MTV for the move and called on other awarding organisations – including the Oscars – to follow its lead.
She said: “I definitely think awards ceremonies should have gender neutral categories. It’s 2018, I don’t know why we are still so behind right now.
“If the Oscars could have gender neutral categories that would be amazing. If that could happen in 2019 I would love that.”
The MTV Movie And TV Awards will air on Monday.