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What It Costs to Be Me: Bri Luna, The Hood Witch


These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments and serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” in which we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.

Next up? Bri Luna, founder and creator of The Hoodwitch, from Seattle, WA. Her annual total: $7,855.

The social media ascendance of mystics, brujas, and the #WitchesofInstagram is one of the greatest uses of the Internet of our time, and not just on Halloween. One of the most enchanting of them all is Bri Luna—also known as @thehoodwitch—who delivers a heady mix of tarot card knowledge, mystical visuals, self-care wisdom, and some serious #bigwitchenergy. Not to mention extraordinary nail art. There’s no contradiction between practicing magic and being fiercely passionate about beauty, says Luna—the two are intertwined. “Witches historically been painted to look like ugly hags and creatures. But that’s not true,” she says. “Most witches, self-identified or not, have been very beautiful. I identify mostly with the word ‘enchantress.’ It’s like: I am going to put a spell on you when I walk into the room and you smell my rose oil. I work my magic with my products.” Here, she shares her dizzying array of beauty rituals, served up with a dose of witch humor. (Her parting words to us: “I also forgot to tell you, I bathe in virgin’s blood.”)

My energy cleansing rituals: $66

I’m an early riser and wake up every day before 6:30 A.M. I usually start my day with one of my own tea blends, which I’ll drink while I light some herbs. What I use depends on the energy of my house. If it’s negative, I’ll light some sage ($6), but I won’t set the whole bundle on fire. Most people don’t know that you don’t need to ignite the whole thing for a daily practice of cleansing, you can just take a few leaves off and that’s more than enough. I set an intention of working with the plant and honor its spirit: “Thank you for allowing me to use you to cleanse the space.” I don’t burn sage every day because it’s so sacred; I’ll often do lavender ($9) to make my house feel peaceful.

I love burning resins, too—like copal, which is a South American resin that’s very purifying and honors your ancestors. I get it from my friend who lives in Peru and sends it to me. I also like frankincense ($5) and myrrh ($5). My friends are always like, “It smells like a Catholic Church in here!” But I love it. It’s very protective—these are all very magical resins and incenses, and they all have an intention behind them.

I also love taking milk baths. That’s a very real thing I do. I take one every week or two as a cleansing treatment: In the winter, I fill the tub about halfway with hot water, then pour organic cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and coconut milk all into the tub in equal amounts—so about half of the containers of each. In certain spiritual practices, you’re asked to wash your head in a mixture of organic goat’s milk and coconut milk beforehand. When it comes to magic, mysticism, and beauty rituals, I think you can take your spiritual practices, whatever they are, and incorporate them into something like a bath, adding rose petals or rose quartz or scented oils to your bath water. These are all elements from the natural world that are going to vibrationally enhance your experience. And, you know, they look beautiful.

I’m big on aura-cleansing baths, too. I have one that I do that’s one cup of white vinegar ($9), plus some bay leaves or cascarilla ($1), which are powdered egg shells. They’re very cleansing of all negative energy. Adding sea salt ($5) to the bath is also very purifying, so I’ll put that in sometimes, along with a little Florida water, which is used for ceremonially cleansing people. I use one called Olde Ways ($18) that’s made by my friend. But I also order the old-school Florida Water ($8) straight from Peru. It’s got all the real essential oils from lemon, citrus, and clove, and that’s important for magical work. I also like to keep a little miniature bottle of Florida Water in my bag, because if someone’s energy rubs me the wrong way and I have to talk to them, I will spray the shit out of whatever space I’m in.

My morning skin routine: $405

My skin care changes depending on where I am. If I’ve been traveling a lot, it dries my skin out. My skin loves humidity, so I’ll keep a humidifier ($30) in the bedroom. I seriously use so many products, from high-end to very organic and handmade. And I try to go for products that are cruelty-free—even if that means spending more money. Skin care and fragrance are the two things I’m willing to splurge on.

I always try to use natural cleansers on my face, because I don’t want to strip the natural oils from my skin. One of my favorites is a small organic brand called Brujita Skincare—the creator of the line is a young Latina business owner. I love this natural cleanser she just made called Santa Limpia Facial Scrub ($30). It’s this creamy whipped scrub that’s more of a gentle daily cleanser and is made with palo santo and maca root. The ingredients help to cleanse all the negativity from the day, but it’s also antibacterial and has vitamin C in it.

After pregnancy I started getting hormonal breakouts, so I’m really picky about what goes on my face. I don’t like wearing thick creams; I prefer oils or serums. Brujita has a great face serum ($25) made with superfruit oils. I also like to mist my face with rosewater spray by Heritage Store ($9), which I keep in the fridge. (Heritage also makes a body oil called Aura Glow, $11, that I love too.) Another favorite is Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile, and Lavender ($7). I carry a little bottle of it with me when I’m on a plane.

I have to shout out this local Seattle line too: Herbivore Botanicals. I’m obsessed with their Orchid Oil ($64) and Pink Clay Cleansing Bar Soap ($12). But its Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask ($48) is the best thing ever. No matter how much you travel, this stuff will make your skin look like magic.

When I’m in L.A. or somewhere humid, I use Sunday Riley Good Genes ($105). The lactic acid is too rough in Seattle but gives me the extra exfoliation I need in warmer weather. I also have a loose powder sunscreen ($64) my dermatologist gave me to use in the mornings. It’s a very sheer tinted powder in a cool tube with a built-in brush.

My non-negotiable evening skin routine: $78

I don’t care how sleepy, drunk, or tired I am, I have to wash my face at night. I’m very picky about my makeup remover. I rotate between using organic grapeseed oil ($10)—my grandmother swore by it for her face—and Almay ($5). No coconut oil on my face ever—if I use it, I get such bad acne, it’s not even funny. After I take my makeup off, I use the Brujita cleanser again, then layer on one of my oils or serums. I more or less use the same stuff at night that I do in the morning.

If my skin is problematic, I’ll use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17) as a spot treatment or I’ll make a mask for myself out of organic manuka honey ($32). I also have to say I love using the Aztec Secret Healing clay mask ($8) with apple cider vinegar ($6). I think I partly love it because of the packaging. I feel like I’m doing something ancient.

My stable of fragrances: roughly $1,041

I have five million lotions, potions, oils, and perfumes. People tell me all the time, “You smell so good, what is that?” I don’t like telling people the exact oil or perfume I’m wearing. I like to keep some things secret, but I can tell you that I love Le Labo ($184), Byredo ($165), Creed ($295), Diptyque candles ($65) and their perfume ($95). People also think I’m such a granny because I carry Frederic Malle hand cream ($75) in my bag. I love their travel-sized perfumes ($52 each) too. They have a little travel perfume carrying case called Superstitious that’s black with a golden eyeball on it, and it’s so beautiful ($45).

I love wearing a little patchouli oil in my armpits along with Tom’s natural deodorant ($5). I know how granola that sounds, believe me! My patchouli has to be one particular blend that I get from The Vajra in Seattle. They have a woman there, Sarah, who I swear is like a fairy. She’ll mix things like rose with patchouli for me. You can literally pop in and tell her, “I’m feeling down,” and she’ll say, “Okay, well, you need something citrusy, and something to ground you.” And then she makes something incredible. The price can range, depending on the size of the bottle and the blend—some of their essential oils are really rare, and they’ve got a Moroccan rose oil that’s almost $70. I usually spend anywhere from about $9 to $60.

My shower, hair, and body routine: $519

I mix up my hair-wash routine based on my needs. When I’ve been heat styling a lot, I use Kérastase Nutritive Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair ($30 and $34)—and when I really need extra hydration, I love their deep conditioning mask ($53). I need something lighter, I like OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo ($8). And I love Mixed Chicks Conditioning Cleansing Co-Wash ($10). When I’m wearing my hair curly, I don’t usually shampoo it at all. I just co-wash with that.

For body wash I’m obsessed with Le Labo Rose 31 shower gel ($53) and L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil ($25). After my shower, I smooth on L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Body Oil ($50)—it’s this skin-firming oil that smells like heaven and is amazing to use right when you get out of a warm shower.

If I’m wearing my hair naturally curly, I’ll twist my wet hair up with organic coconut oil ($12), and just keep it really simple. Sometimes I’ll use a little Kérastase Sérum Oléo Relax Hair Oil ($40) or Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil ($17). I’m always switching it up between high-end and stuff you can pick up at Target.

When my hair is blown out and straightened, I love adding in my own beach waves. I use a clipless curling wand ($79) and finish with Kerastase shine spray ($37)—or when I’m somewhere tropical, I absolutely have to have John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hairspray ($9). I also love L’Oréal Elnett ($15) and Moroccan Oil Hairspray ($24). I know I’m such a freak to have so many different hairsprays, but they all do different things. Lastly, DryBar makes a fantastic dry shampoo ($23).

My hair styling and color regimen: Roughly $1,740 a year

I usually get my hair styled once every two weeks. I’m always changing my hair, and the price changes according to what I want and where I am in the country ($60 to $120). In New York it was $145 for a blowout one time, which was kind of outrageous, and once someone in L.A. charged me almost $500. But that was also for extensions. I cried afterwards. I typically depend on DryBar ($40) if there’s one around. They’ve never let me down. I think a lot of girls who are mixed and have curly hair are apprehensive of blow-dry bars. But I’ve learned that if you call in advance and ask for a stylist who knows how to handle your hair, they’ll make sure it’s taken care of.

Color-wise, I dye my own hair about once a month. My hair is naturally black, but I like to give it a blue tint on top, so it’s blue-black in the sun. I use professional hair dye that I can get at salon supply stores, because I’m a licensed aesthetician—they’re never more than $15, and I have all the bowls for it at home.

My makeup routine: $216

Beauty can be really connected to your spiritual and your emotional state. It’s about intention: If I’m going to a party or if I’m doing public speaking, and I don’t really feel that confident, I’ll do something bold. I want to feel that power, and I want people to pay attention to what I’m saying. It’s an accessory—just like a pair of boots.

In my everyday life, though, I usually keep it pretty natural. I never leave the house without eyebrows. I use MAC Brow Styler Pencil ($19) and MAC Brow Powder ($30) most of the time, but sometimes I’ll do Glossier Boy Brow ($16). I don’t really wear eyeshadow at all. But I love a cat-eye, and never leave the house without black eyeliner. I’ve purchased nearly every black eyeliner ever made—waterproof, smudgeproof, everything—and, I kid you not, the best is Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($4). The wand is perfect, and the formula has this really pretty matte finish. It dries beautifully, and then you could literally go swimming and nothing would move. For mascara, I use L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise ($9). I used to wear a way more expensive one, but it was flaky and crappy.

If I’m running errands, I’ll just wear Glossier’s Stretch Concealer ($18) under my eyes, because nobody wants to look tired. I also like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer—I use their Tan shade when I’m in L.A. or Almond when I’m paler and in Seattle ($45 each). Then I dust on a little Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder ($30) after. But I also don’t like to look too powdery, so I spray on rosewater at the end.

My big event splurge: roughly $565 a year

My eyes are my favorite feature, so I’ll do a lot of lashes to bring them out. I’m obsessed with Ardell strip lashes ($5)—they’re the best. I’ve bought all the other pricey ones from Sephora, but at the end of the day Ardell photographs so beautifully. For big events or long trips, though, I’ll get lash extensions. Which means I’ll have them for a couple months at a time a few times a year. A full set is usually around $170, and you have to go every three weeks to get a fill, and that’s $60. I get really obsessive about getting them filled, because I really don’t like the look of them falling out.

My signature nails: Roughly $2,700 a year

My nails feel like a true extension of myself. They’re stilettos—like Dracula nails. Having long nails is something that’s always been associated with vampires, witches, even aristocrats—nails were historically used for power. Goddesses adorning their fingers and hands, that’s what I tap into. Which is why my nail designs are always very well-thought out, and I’ll always ask myself beforehand, “How am I feeling?” It’s a fun way to creatively express myself and my moods.

I’ve worked with the same nail artist, Peka Grayson of Impekable Nails, for almost four and a half years now, and I see her every three weeks. We really vibe and connect with each other. She’s also a black woman and a business owner, and she’s one of the best in the game right now. Her designs are so intricate, sometimes they can take up to eight hours. We hang out, order in Uber Eats, it’s a thing. It’s about $150 to $250 each time, but it really varies depending on the design.

My occasional skin treatments: $525 a year

My dermatologist Dr. Jodie at Seattle Cosmetic Skincare is great; I get a MicroPeel facial ($175) from her once every four months or so. It’s a version of microdermabrasion that also includes acid peels, and it makes my skin look amazing. But that shit is kind of expensive. I also really want to get a vampire facial from somewhere! That is my dream. I haven’t had one yet, but I would love to try it.

My exercise routine: $0

I hate the gym, but I like running. I don’t like running on the treadmill, and I don’t like people watching me on the street, so instead I go for runs in the morning at the cemetery. I love historic cemeteries. So that’s my gym—some people go for long runs on the beach; I go for long runs in the cemetery. The ghosts can watch me.





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The 'Riverdale' Creator on the Black Hood Reveal, Bughead's Future, and Cheryl's New Love Interest


Tonight’s Riverdale more or less confirmed what Lili Reinhart told us back in December: The Black Hood is still on the loose. But with Chic Cooper’s arrival and all the Southside High drama, who’s got time to worry about that creep? There are plenty of other pressing issues in Riverdale—namely, why in Jason Blossom’s name hasn’t Cheryl been front and center in every episode this season?

Fortunately, creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa says we won’t have to wait much longer, as huge developments are about to take place. (Look out for episode 14, specifically.) What’s more, several forgotten characters might be on their way back to town. With so many questions—seriously, what is Chic Cooper doing in Betty’s bedroom?—Aguirre-Sacasa hopped on the phone from the Vancouver set to fill us in.

First, can you confirm the Black Hood is still out there?

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa: Well, at the very end of tonight’s episode Archie says to Agent Adams, “Listen, if you’ve been following me, you know that I was involved [in trying to solve the mystery of] the Black Hood, but I gotta tell you, there’s a part of me that doesn’t think we got the right guy.” That is a thread that we will follow in the second half of the season.

Will viewers feel that they know for sure who it is by the end of the season?

RAS: However the Black Hood’s story continues, I believe it will have a definitive ending by the end of the season.

So, basically, whether it’s Svenson or not, we’ll definitely feel confident knowing who it was.

RAS: Exactly. Correct.

In tonight’s episode, Chic enters the picture and he’s…creepy. What can you say about his impending stay in Riverdale?

RAS: We kind of joke in the writer’s room—whenever we introduce someone, they have to be a force of darkness and chaos. On Riverdale, you can’t ever just introduce someone and have it be fine. It always comes with problems. Chic is no exception. We’re pretty cryptic about our plots; the writers know [that] the actors don’t know everything. So two or three episodes in, the fine actor that plays Chic—Hart Denton—calls me and asks, “Now, am I a good guy or a bad guy?” I started laughing and was like, “I think even if you think you’re a bad guy, you never think of yourself as a bad guy.” So, I’ll say this: In some ways, Chic is very different than from his sister Betty. I think what we’ll discover in upcoming episodes is that there are more similarities than you might originally think.

PHOTO: Shane Harvey/The CW

Will the Coopers regret letting Chic into their lives?

RAS: That’s a very good question. Like anything in Riverdale, there are going to be good things and bad things. In the end, I’m not sure. But I will say that we’ll find out next week what Chic was doing in Betty’s room, and we’ll start exploring the darker similarities between the two siblings, which I’m excited about.

Speaking of siblings, we find out that Polly gave birth to twins, Juniper and Dagwood, but she leaves town again before we even meet them. This can’t be the last we’ve seen of them.

RAS: Right. She did give birth, and you haven’t seen the last of Polly. And we haven’t even met the twins!

And should we assume that Betty, Polly, and Chic, all have the same mother and father in Hal and Alice Cooper?

RAS: I think that’s the assumption, yes.

Is it fact or assumption?

RAS: I think it’s an assumption and stay tuned.

Interesting. Meanwhile, switching topics, a few episodes ago it seemed as if Cheryl was stalking Josie, especially after she became very possessive over her. Madelaine Petsch said Cheryl would be getting an unexpected love interest this season, so it seems like Josie would be that person. But we haven’t had any new developments since. What can you say?

RAS: I promise you that storyline comes back huge. Hugely. That’s not something we’re dropping. It’s something we’re attacking head on. I think you’ve got maybe three or four episodes [until we come back to that].

The Lodge’s butler, Smithers, also seemed to have disappeared early on this season, and it seemed Hiram was behind it.

RAS: I love Smithers, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him again. I remember at first, the network and studio were like, “Really? Smithers?” But I love that guy. We may not have heard the last of Smithers.

Let’s talk about romance on the show, especially as Valentine’s Day approaches. What can you share in terms of what’s to come whether you’re team Bughead, Barchie or Varchie?

RAS: All of our characters went through a harrowing ordeal in the first half of the season. Even though Bughead broke up, their feelings for each other are very much there—but they’ve got to sort through a bunch of stuff between them. In a weird way, they have to become friends again to see if it’s even possible to reconnect. The Bughead saga is far from over.

Chapter Twenty-One: House of the Devil

PHOTO: The CW

Meanwhile, I like Archie and Betty together. Don’t kill me, Bughead fans!

RAS: Interesting! Well, get ready and wait until episode 14 [which airs next month]. That’s all I’m saying!

Fair enough. And finally, I love the way Archie is being written this season in relation to Betty, Veronica, and Cheryl. He’s very close to all of the women. In tonight’s episode, for example, he was honest with Veronica about kissing Betty while they were broken up, and he’s extremely protective of the women after learning of Nick St. Clair’s attack. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, are you consciously trying to write Archie as a more feminist character?

RAS: As we were writing these episodes—even the episode that aired tonight—they were written before [the Time’s Up movement] started. It’s a fine line to balance because on the one hand, you don’t want the girls to be rescued by a guy. You want the girls to be able to fend for themselves and be strong. On the other hand, when we talked about Archie finding out that Nick had [tried to sexually assault] Cheryl and Veronica, when we were talking about that scene when Archie confronts Nick, even though his legs were in casts, we were like, “He’s gotta kick the shit out of this guy.” There’s gotta be a visceral response to being in a room with this guy, who is a serial harasser and perhaps even worse. That just felt like the most truthful thing, you know what I mean? The girls had already rallied around Cheryl, and it felt like if Archie just went up there and didn’t do something in response to Nick’s behavior, it would have been false to the character and a bit deflating.

We push the envelope on Riverdale in terms of sexuality and violence and things that are innate to the genre and pulp and noir. Since the last couple of months, we do talk about it more in the room. We’re trying to be a little more careful with what situations we put our characters in. But we are usually pretty aware, and we have been talking about it more. I think a lot of writers rooms have.



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This Epic 'Riverdale' Theory Will Help You Understand That Confusing Black Hood Reveal


SPOILERS AHEAD!

Hello, and welcome to another edition of Riverdale Fan Theories, Particularly and Especially Those Having to Do With the Black Hood. During last week’s mid-season finale (see our recap, if you’re so inclined), we finally found out who it was. It was not Sheriff Keller. It was not Hiram Lodge. It was not Hal Cooper. It was also not Betty’s long-lost brother or Kevin or a mercenary for Archie’s mom, Mary Andrews, which pretty much leaves it to be a random character like a janitor. And, hey-oh, it turns out it was the janitor, Svenson. So that was disappointing—at first. Because as it turns out, it might not be him after all.

As some fans on Twitter pointed out, it is only the mid-season finale: Why would they expose the Black Hood and wrap a major plot line so early?

“There’s no way Svenson is the real Black Hood. My theory is, the REAL Black Hood wanted Svenson to die the same way his sin was made — by killing the wrong man,” proclaims user @iiClockworkii. “Also, this is only the mid season finale, it’s only halfway over. There’s no way.”

If you recall, Svenson was the sole survivor of the Riverdale Reaper murders. When a group of townspeople asked him who the Reaper was, he identified the wrong person—and that innocent guy was killed. It seems the same thing might be happening with Svenson. He was accused of being the Black Hood and was killed—but he might be innocent. Might be.

So next up is the excellent and very valid point raised by @mallorydui, who writes that the Black Hood is someone who wanted Svenson to experience what the innocent man whom Svenson wrongly blamed for a crime had to go through. Karma, y’all.

The “frame-Svenson” theory gained further ground on the Twitter as well…

…with some adding that Archie is the key to knowing who the Black Hood is—after all, he saw the Hood’s eyes the night his father was shot.

If these users are right—and in a show with this many twists and turns, we’re not putting a very weird fake-reveal behind the showrunners—fan theory season isn’t over yet. Which is great, because that’s kind of what we live for with this show.

Related Stories:
–This ‘Riverdale’ Theory About the Black Hood’s Identity Seems Right After Last Night’s Episode
–This ‘Riverdale’ Fan Theory Says Hiram Lodge Is the Black Hood
–‘Riverdale’ Season 2 Episode 7 Recap: A Theory About the Black Hood Is Debunked





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Even Lili Reinhart Thinks the Black Hood Mystery Isn't Totally Solved Yet on 'Riverdale'


Tonight’s Riverdale‘s mid-season finale may not have been as clear cut as Sheriff Keller would like you to believe—so stop reading now if you haven’t seen the episode yet. Spoilers ahead…

If you were let down by the “reveal” that the school janitor, Mr. Svenson (a.k.a. Joseph Conway), is the Black Hood, then we have some good news: It may not be him. So if you thought that the whole scene on the bridge didn’t seem right, you’re not alone. After all, why would a character who was introduced only a few episodes ago end up being the man responsible for terrorizing Riverdale and Greendale? And what was up with that last scene, when Betty burned all evidence of the Black Hood except for her own hooded mask?

Lili Reinhart understands why you’d be confused. In fact, she wasn’t even sold on the idea that Svenson was the Black Hood when she read the script. “I don’t think the mystery is completely solved just yet,” she tells us. “There are a lot of questions behind the motive.” We had a lot of questions for Lili as well, who was more than gracious to explain everything—well, almost. Read on.

Spill it, Lili! I don’t know what to think after that last scene.

Lili Reinhart: [Laughs] There are a lot of cliffhangers. Even at the end of the episode, things don’t really feel resolved. Things don’t feel right. At least for me watching it, you don’t feel like the mystery was solved; like, there’s still some deep, dark, unspoken mystery going on—and that’s intriguing. There are a lot of questions.

Exactly. You think, “Is it really Svenson, or is there more to the Black Hood mystery?” Because what motive would Svenson have for shooting Fred Andrews?

Lili: Right. If you’re thinking about why Svenson would do that, it would be because he just has a vendetta against the town. I mean, one must have a really big grudge on Fred. I mean, Fred wasn’t necessarily doing anything wrong [when he had a thing with Hermione]. He wasn’t with his wife anymore. I think there are a lot of questions behind the motive, and that’s what makes you question whether that was really the Black Hood or not.

When did you find out who the Black Hood was? And when you did find out—at least up until this episode—were you surprised?

Lili: I found out when I got the script. Obviously, Svenson wasn’t even a character [on Riverdale] until episode seven, so you didn’t even know who this person was [until then]. So there was no way you could have predicted that. But even shooting the episode…I do think that Svenson wasn’t really the Black Hood, and that the situation is not really over. I think there’s much more to it, whatever it may be. I don’t think the Black Hood mystery is completely solved just yet.

Interesting.

Lili: I’ve seen so many theories of who people think it is, but I honestly don’t know! I don’t think the mystery has been solved yet.

PHOTO: Katie Yu

There’s so much to unpack in every episode that you need a flow chart. Is it hard to keep track of every development?

Lili: Well, to me it’s kind of easier because I’m mostly focused on Betty’s storyline. Betty doesn’t really know what’s going on with Hiram and the Lodges, for instance. So in my mind, it helps to not focus too much on storylines outside of Betty. If she doesn’t know, I don’t necessarily want to know either. I don’t want that to infiltrate through my acting with any of the other characters and have knowledge my character doesn’t. I have to remind myself, “Oh, Betty doesn’t even know about that.” Sometimes it’s OK to be a little left in the dark and to focus on my stuff rather than everyone else’s. We all read the scripts when we have our table reads, but when I go back and read again I focus on my part and let the others slip out of my mind to be more focused and in tune with what Betty has going on.

As an actor, was it difficult to be in such a traumatic headspace most of the time? Or was this a dream episode to do?

Lili: It’s kind of parallel to episode five for me, where I’m dealing with the phone calls from the Black Hood and having to break up with Jughead and break things off with Veronica as well. The mid-season finale was a very intense episode to shoot, especially the big ending sequence with the chase and everything. During one of the first nights we were running on some grass, and I stepped in a pile of dirt and completely fell on my face. It was actually quite hilarious. It hurt, but when I fall it’s hysterical. I was embarrassed, but it was fun. We shot the buried coffin scene until 4 A.M. one night, and I remember it just started to rain, too, and was really gross and muddy out. But actually, I had a really good time. I got splinters all over my hands from wiping the dirt off the coffin, but it was so fun to do that because it was so different. And with the running stuff, I was surprised by my stamina and how much I was able to run. But then you see K.J. rocketing past me!

I actually was kind of was annoyed by that! Did we really have to see Archie surpass Betty? She’s a badass!

Lili: No, K.J. is a super human. He can run really fast. And I can run really fast—and I was running really fast—but then compared to K.J. I look like I’m going pretty slowly and am a wimp. K.J. is just extraordinarily fast. I’m not slow. [Laughs] So I want that on the record! But it was just such a fun episode in that regard—and also that it was Christmas-themed. I just think it’s a pretty fantastic mid-season finale.

We have to talk about that kiss with Archie in the car. I actually like them together, but fans are very much obsessed with Bughead. Are you prepared for how they will react after this episode?

Lili: [Laughs] I feel like there’s going to be a freak out, but I think they’re going to try and calm themselves down by saying it wasn’t really romantic and was kind of in the heat of the moment. Like, it wasn’t pre-meditated. It wasn’t really a romance that was building necessarily; it was just something that happened really quickly, and I think that’s what is going to keep the Bughead fans at ease. They’re going to be like, “OK, I don’t really know if there’s a romance here. I think it was just a spur of the moment action.” But there are people who do enjoy Betty and Archie together and are excited to see that relationship, so I’m happy for them. [At the same time,] I’m also kind of sad for the Bughead fans because they see this other coupling that they don’t like coming together. It kind of scares them because their “ship” that they love is being torn apart. But you know, it’s a drama on the CW. The characters are 16, so there’s gonna be back-and-forth all over the place all the time. I don’t think any one “ship”—like a Bughead, or a Barchie, or Varchie fans—should give up hope at any time because you never know.

Should we assume that Cheryl saw Archie and Betty kiss before they drove away from her house, and she will probably be the one who exposes their romantic moment?

Lili: Yeah, I think it’s safe to say that Cheryl saw them kiss. Knowing Cheryl, she is going to have that knowledge and keep it in her back pocket if and when she wants to use it against them.



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'Riverdale' Season 2 Episode 9 Recap: The Black Hood Is Finally Unmasked


Love triangles, family fights, and an unmasked Black Hood—tonight’s Riverdale episode was a doozy. Here’s what went down (spoilers ahead):

We open with Archie and Jughead looking sad at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, talking about how they’ve royally screwed things up with Veronica and Betty. Apparently, Kevin’s having a Secret Santa party, which Jughead sarcastically says is a “great” idea. Two minutes in and I’m already losing my patience with him. Like, stop being a Grinch and insulting one of the best characters on the show! You don’t have the range! Your name is Jughead!

Meanwhile, Betty has a straight-up terrifying nightmare about the Black Hood that’s very Twin Peaks meets Black Christmas.

Over at Perfect Cheryl’s house, Penelope Blossom goes on some morbid rant about how they’re poor and not putting something in Jason’s stocking this year for Christmas because he’s dead. Yikes. I mean, I’m relieved Cheryl’s back to having her own storyline as opposed to playing second fiddle to Kevin, Josie, etc. She is the shining star of this ridiculous show, and it’s high time for the writers to realize it. Later in the episode, she blows a bunch of money on Christmas decorations and tells her mom that she should pay for them by getting a job with the Lodges. She’s an absolute queen.

We’re back to Archie (this show jumps fast), who is incredulous at his dad’s $86,000 hospital bill. He’s probably going to start an inane Red Circle-adjacent group to raise money, TBH.

Ugh, and now the Jughead subplot I don’t care about: He has an idea about how he and F.P. can deal with their Penny Peabody issue—remember, F.P. took over Jughead’s debt to her—but F.P. doesn’t want to hear it. He’s funneling drugs with the Serpents like it’s NBD and tells Jughead to “go to school.” I mean, all of these kids should go to school.

Cut to Secret Santa: Archie got Betty some sentimental gift, and it’s clear Veronica’s feeling some type of way about it. B and A have a chat in the hallway and realize that Mr. Svenson, the creepy janitor who we thought was the Black Hood last week, is gone from the school. Betty and Jughead then have a confrontation about their issues, but nothing’s resolved. Betty says it’s her choice to join the Serpents and be at risk even if it worries Jughead, which is true. They exchange presents but don’t open them, so stay tuned for that nonsense.

Archie and Veronica have a conversation, too. She gives him a watch, and he blabs about how his dad owes $86,000 to the hospital. The Lodges are definitely going to pay this off… (Well, maybe not. Veronica quasi asks her dad, Hiram, about this, and he flips.)

Later, Archie and Betty put on their detective hats and go to Svenson’s house to see if he’s actually there. They think the Black Hood killed him, which is so GD extreme but not far-fetched for this show. Unsurprisingly, Svenson doesn’t answer the door—BUT THE BLACK HOOD DOES SEND BETTY A SEVERED FINGER. Who’s finger is it?! What the hell?! I’m repulsed and horrified.

Update: The finger seems to belong to Svenson, the janitor, per a note left by the Black Hood. The Black Hood then calls Betty and says that Svenson—whose real name is Joseph Conway, the sole survivor of the Riverdale Reaper murders—has lost a lot of blood. The only way to save him is for Archie and Betty to “exhume the past” and determine where the “cardinal sin” of the town was committed. Like, what the fuck is even happening at this point? The crux of this Black Hood case is on the shoulders of this random janitor?!

To learn more about Svenson/Joseph Conway, Archie and Betty go to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, the convent where he lived before getting adopted. They find out that when he was young, Svenson/Joseph Conway identified the wrong person as the Riverdale Reaper; a group of citizens took matters into their own hands and killed the man he accused, who turned out to be innocent. That was the cardinal sin. The nuns don’t remember the people who murdered this innocent dude, but they say one of them, a woman, had white hair with a cherry-red stripe (a.k.a Cheryl Blossom’s grandmother, Nana Rose). Dun, dun, duuun!

Before we learn more about that, though, Jughead and F.P. have a stupid fight about the Serpent’s drug cartel business. Penny Peabody really has this gang by the throat, man. F.P. straight-up says that whatever she wants, she’ll get—no matter how many Serpents it takes. This is all ridiculously, tragically dull. Jughead says the solution to this situation is to murder Penny Peabody. Again, extreme, but he gets the other Serpents to agree to it. They kidnap Penny, literally cut off her Serpent tattoo, and drive her out of Riverdale. F.P.’s pissed about it.

Meanwhile, Veronica discovers that her parents bought Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe and lied to her face about it. She uses this as an incentive to pay for Fred Andrews’ medical expenses with Hermione’s credit card…without her knowledge. They have a big family blowout, and the truth about the Lodges comes out. But we don’t know what that “truth” is—not yet.

This Black Hood nonsense is really getting out of hand. Nana Rose tells Archie and Betty the man Conway accused of being the Riverdale Reaper was buried alive. Betty’s grandfather was allegedly one of the people who did it—and there’s photographic proof. Betty starts freaking out about how the Black Hood is targeting her because of this connection. Archie says tonight’s the night they unmask the Black Hood and end things, and this tense conversation concludes with Archie and Betty kissing. Um, WHAT?! In what world do you go from hysterics to making out in point-five seconds? I’m done.

Archie and Betty find the location of where the man accused of being the Riverdale Reaper was buried and go to it. They think Conway/Svenson could be there, too. They dig up an empty coffin, and that’s when the IRL Black Hood shows up with a gun. He orders Archie to get into the coffin and for Betty to shut it…and bury him alive. But the sound of police sirens startles the Black Hood: Betty hits him over the head with a shovel, unburies Archie, and they run away. But the Black Hood is gone! They start chasing after him and confront him with a gun to his head. Sexy Sheriff Keller comes in at just the right time, shoots the Black Hood, and unmasks him: It’s Svenson/Conway, the janitor. This is the most disappointing reveal of all time.

Now, it’s happy Christmas time. Blah. Penelope Blossom’s hooking up with some random dude. Betty got Jughead the “typewriter of champions,” which means his pretentious prose will rage on for another season. Jughead got Betty some dumb book. Archie got Veronica a locket with their faces on it. Cute. They later kiss, and Veronica finally says, “I love you,” but little does she know Archie and Betty were making out, like, five seconds ago. Someone anonymously snaps photos of them kissing, though, so that’s probably going to be a thing when the season returns.

Betty burns all her Black Hood research while wearing a twinkly Christmas sweater. But, weirdly, she doesn’t burn her Black Hood, and it’s implied all this murderous drama “isn’t over.”

Parting thoughts: I officially don’t care about the Black Hood. Happy holidays, people!

Related Stories:

Riverdale Stars K.J. Apa and Madelaine Petsch Say Black Hood’s Identity Will Be Revealed Soon

This Riverdale Theory About the Black Hood’s Identity Seems Right After Last Night’s Episode



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'Riverdale' Season 2 Episode 7 Recap: A Theory About the Black Hood Is Debunked


Tonight’s Riverdale episode debunked a major theory about the Black Hood. Which one, you ask? Read on to find out (spoilers ahead):

Welp, it looks like the Black Hood isn’t done lurking around Riverdale just yet: He/she writes another letter to the town, saying the next 24 hours will be a “test.” If the Riverdale citizens stop “sinning,” he/she will stop killing. If they don’t, the blood bath continues. This is all getting out of hand! Betty brings up the very valid point about how it’s confusing the Black Hood managed to break into the jail and shoot the Sugar Man. Who in town has that kind of access?! Cough, Sheriff Keller, cough. (P.S.: If you read that last sentence and had no context of Riverdale, you’d think I was talking about Candy Land or some shit.)

Penny Peabody, that sketchy lawyer who F.P. told Jughead to stay away from, pops back up and asks Jughead for a favor. F.P. was jumped by Ghoulies in prison, allegedly, and in order to help him Penny needs Jughead to pick up a crate on the South Side and deliver it to some place called Greendale. She’s definitely lying, but her bangs look amazing so I don’t care. BTW: Drugs are in the crate Jughead’s about to be traipsing all over town. Drugs! Is it Jingle Jangle? Riverdale’s official crop?

Jughead enlists Archie to help deliver these drugs to Greendale. Archie waxes poetic about how he fantasizes about moving to NYC with Jughead and living out their writing/music dreams. He wants to live in the East Village, which Jughead says doesn’t exist (???). It does, but LOL that they think they could afford living there on writer/musician salaries.

They get a flat tire en route to Greendale, of course, and Archie doesn’t have a spare. A strange man pulls up and offers Jughead—and only Jughead—a ride to Greendale. He leaves Archie alone. This will end badly, but are you surprised? Jughead makes the worst decisions always.

This strange, scary man starts saying the Black Hood is doing “God’s work” and then brings up someone called the “Riverdale Reaper.” Meanwhile, Archie finally gets a spare tire, which means this whole situation could’ve been avoided had Jughead just waited 45 extra minutes.

And it’s definitely a situation: Creepy Stranger Man has a gross, dead deer under a tarp in his car. Jughead’s spooked. Apparently, the Riverdale Reaper murdered an entire family back in the day. No one knows what happened to him, so it’s possible the Riverdale Reaper is actually the Black Hood. (Well, that’s what this crazy show is implying, at least.) Creepy Stranger Man then goes rogue, saying he’s leaving Jughead behind and taking the crate with him. He calls Jughead a “sinner,” but thank God Archie shows up and takes Jughead/the crate away before things get crazy. Archie’s so doofy, but I’d swoon if he saved me from any situation.

They deliver the crate and are greeted by a scary woman who says Jughead will be making more deliveries to her. This is the only storyline that’s unfolded so far in the episode, and I’m pissed.

And I was right: Penny Peabody lied. F.P. isn’t injured, and she secretly filmed Jughead delivering those drugs to Greendale, which means she has leverage over him. She’s now ordering him to keep funneling drugs to Greendale…or she’ll turn this video into the police. She has a bone to pick with the Jones family because “F.P. made a promise that he didn’t keep.” Why TF is this show turning into The Godfather?

But thank God, we’ve moved onto another storyline about Josie, the low-key best character on this show. Josie’s mom, Mayor McCoy, is stressed to the max about the Black Hood—which has Josie stressed. On top of that, Josie’s going behind the Pussycats’ backs and writing songs without them.

She has a reason, though: Cheryl apparently slipped a demo of the Pussycats singing to a record producer, and he wants Josie (and only Josie) to have time in his studio. Why Cheryl has such a vested interest in Josie all of a sudden is…suspect, to say the least. But honestly let’s keep the focus on these two characters for the rest of the episode.

Chuck Clayton, that gross dude who Dark Betty took down last season, reemerges and asks Josie on a date, and she iconically refutes him. Cheryl tells Josie she wants to help her career blossom (eh?!) as a thank-you for saving her from Nick St. Clair. However, something tells me there’s more to this story…like a romance?

The Pussycats find out about Josie’s solo songwriting sessions, flip out, and quit the band. Someone left a note in their lockers spilling the tea, and it’s probably the same someone who left a note in Josie’s locker saying they were “watching her.” Shook, Josie (literally) bumps into Gross Chuck and asks for a ride home. He says he’s “trying” to be better, which makes me want to groan. They then go dancing at Pop’s (???), but their fun is interrupted by Mayor McCoy, who’s been worried sick about Josie’s whereabouts. What the hell is this episode even about?

Mayor McCoy tells Josie someone’s been sending her death threats. The sheriff then asks Josie if she’s received any weird notes, and she (of course) says no. Why do teens on these shows always lie to the police?!

And it gets worse: Josie gets another message from the weirdo leaving her notes that says, “If I can’t have you, no one can.” This person also sends a portrait of her face and a pig’s heart. This sicko gave Josie a literal pig’s heart! Josie and Cheryl think Chuck is the one behind these letters, which means he probably isn’t. My money’s on the loner janitor they keep panning to randomly.

Wait…maybe it’s Cheryl leaving the notes: We end this chapter with a shot of Cheryl sketching a picture of herself and Josie together. Listen, if Riverdale‘s about to turn Cheryl into some deranged, queer stalker, then I’m done. Pop-culture needs to stop portraying LGBTQ+ characters as unbalanced.

Cut to the next storyline, which is about Betty and Veronica. Kevin’s complaining to them about his father, the sheriff, who he says is acting weird because of all this Black Hood nonsense. Betty thinks this means Sheriff Keller is the Black Hood (which, coincidentally, is a pretty big fan theory). Veronica thinks it means he’s having an affair. Obviously, they each go on wild goose chases to prove their points.

Veronica convinces Kevin to have a sleepover with her; meanwhile, Betty goes to Sheriff Keller’s office and straight-up asks how the Black Hood broke into the jail cell. He says the Black Hood got in through forced entry, which is probably true, but Betty obviously doesn’t believe him because she’s a Serious Detective.

Veronica suggested having a sleepover at Kevin’s house so she can look for evidence that his dad’s having an affair. Betty’s not there, but she asks Veronica to find proof he’s also the Black Hood. This is all so dumb.

Veronica’s investigation leads her down to the basement, where Sheriff Keller is shirtless, lifting weights, and looking like the damn salt-and-pepper snack I’ve been talking about for weeks! Like, holy hell, this dude is ripped. Why isn’t he shirtless at all times? Veronica and Sheriff Keller have a strange but vague chat that doesn’t prove if he’s having an affair or if he’s the Black Hood. It only proves that he’s a capital-H hottie.

So Betty takes matters into her own hands: She breaks into the Keller’s house—and into Sheriff Keller’s office—and finds what looks like a black hood in one of the drawers. But Sheriff Keller comes back before anything happens, and he calls Betty’s dad, Hal. Apparently, he has an alibi for all the Black Hood’s attacks, which proves he isn’t the perp.

This isn’t good enough for Betty, though, so she and Veronica tail Sheriff Keller’s car to a motel. That’s where they find him and—wait for it—Mayor McCoy making out. So Veronica’s right: He’s having an affair.

Then, the Black Hood calls Pop’s and delivers an ominous final message: Everyone failed, they’re all sinners, and the “reckoning” is imminent. I should be scared, but I’m still thinking about shirtless Sheriff Keller pumping iron in his basement. This show is perfect.



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