Fans of the CW famous show Riverdale have been left wondering about the whereabouts of Asha Bromfield’s Melody Valentine and Hayley Law’s Valerie Brown, two popular characters who were members of the band Josie and the Pussycats in Riverdale and had connections with Archie Andrews (KJ Apa). Despite their fan-favorite status, neither character was given a substantial storyline, with Valerie only briefly dating Archie in season one. Although Melody never had a major storyline, she is still remembered by fans.
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Riverdale has been highly criticized due to its lack of representation of people of color, with Vanessa Morgan, who plays Toni Topaz, speaking out against the show’s treatment of Black characters. This makes the departure of Charles Melton’s Reggie Mantle and Asha Bromfield’s Melody Valentine even more disappointing for the viewers. Both actors have proven their talent in other teen content, such as Melton’s role in Locke & Key and Bromfield’s performance in Spontaneous, and both should have been given more opportunities to shine on Riverdale.
After Josie Leaves Town, Valerie and Melody Vanish
Melody and Valerie, despite being fantastic supporting characters, are left behind when Josie departs in Riverdale season 4. Previously in the second season of Riverdale, the duo becomes upset upon learning that Josie desires to pursue a solo career. Although Veronica Lodge takes over as their lead singer for a brief period, it is not the same, resulting in the band’s dissolution. Although it is presumed that Valerie and Melody remained in Riverdale, they are absent throughout seasons 3 and 4.
While Ashleigh Murray’s departure from Riverdale was due to her career reasons and later joining the cast of the spin-off Katy Keene, but the reasons behind the exits of Hayley Law and Asha Bromfield were different. According to Bromfield’s Instagram Live, the producers had originally planned for their characters to return to the show, but later changed their minds. Murray’s departure made sense in the context of her character Josie’s desire to pursue her music career in New York City, but it was still difficult to see her leave the Pussycats behind, even though the show continued to feature great musical performances.
Season 5 Brings a Reunion for The Pussycats
In season 5, episode 15 of Riverdale titled “The Return of The Pussycats,” Valerie And Melody make a comeback after Josie informs them about her father’s demise and her desire to seek solace in her hometown. As a result, the band reunites and embarks on a tour, providing a touching conclusion to this storyline, despite the previous emotional rift between Valerie and Melody.
Although Josie’s return to Riverdale is well-explained in season 5, episode 15, Valerie and Melody’s departures from the show are still sudden. While Josie is a memorable character, her friends are also significant, but the show only briefly touches upon what they have been up to. Apparently, Valerie and Melody are roommates, with Valerie working in a coffee shop and writing by Melody on novels, specifically young adult ones. While the Pussycats’ reunion in season 5 is heartwarming, showcasing the close bond between the characters and their ability to forgive past hurts, it is unfortunate that Bromfield and Law’s characters are not given more screen time.
Final Words!
Riverdale’s fans have been wondering about the whereabouts of Valerie and Melody, two popular characters who were not given substantial storylines in the show. Their departure from the show was sudden, and the lack of representation of people of color has been criticized. Although their reunion in season 5 was heartwarming, it’s unfortunate that they were not given more screen time. Nonetheless, their reunion provided a touching conclusion to their storyline.
