Madelaine Petsch: Relationships, Hair, Age & Biography

Rumors about Madelaine Petsch’s heritage, hair color, and love life often overshadow her acting career. This fact-check separates what’s proven from what’s still speculation.

Full Name: Madelaine Grobbelaar Petsch ·
Date of Birth: August 18, 1994 ·
Height: 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) ·
Known For: Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale ·
Instagram Followers: 22M ·
Nationality: American & South African

These key biographical numbers paint a clear picture—here’s the full breakdown.

Who Has Madelaine Petsch Dated?

Petsch’s love life has been a magnet for attention, with two confirmed relationships and one persistent rumor.

Is Madelaine Petsch with Tyga?

• Petsch and rapper Tyga were first publicly linked after sightings in Los Angeles in February 2025 (ELLE).
• They were seen together at a Lakers game on February 19, 2025, and later at Vanity Fair’s Young Hollywood party on February 26, 2025 (ELLE).
• By March 2025, a source told ELLE the two were definitely dating—but neither Petsch nor Tyga has confirmed it publicly.

Are Madelaine Petsch and Travis Mills still together?

• Petsch was in a relationship with musician Travis Mills from early 2017 to February 2020, according to Wikipedia.
• They met after Mills messaged her on Facebook in January of Riverdale season one, and began spending time together in February 2017 (Cosmopolitan).
• In 2023, Petsch confirmed the split in a YouTube video, saying, “Travis and I have decided to go our separate ways.”

The pattern: Petsch’s relationship disclosure style is careful—public announcements for serious partners, radio silence for ambiguous sightings.

Is Madelaine Petsch African?

Yes and no—her heritage is South African on her father’s side, but she was born and raised in the United States.

What is Madelaine Petsch’s ethnicity?

• Petsch was born in Port Orchard, Washington, to an American mother and a South African father (Wikipedia).
• She holds dual U.S.–South African citizenship and spent the first ten years of her life traveling between both countries (Wikipedia).
• Her father is Afrikaner (white South African), so she does not claim African American or Black heritage—her background is white South African and white American.

The implication: Petsch’s African connection is cultural and familial, not racial.

Is Madelaine Petsch Naturally Red?

This is one of the most searched questions about her—and the answer is a clear yes.

Is Madelaine Petsch actually ginger?

• In a 2017 interview with Cosmopolitan, Petsch confirmed, “I am a natural redhead, but I dye my hair a darker red for Riverdale.”
• She also said she was teased as a child for her red hair, and that her brother shares the same color (Cosmopolitan).
• A 2020 video interview further reinforces her natural red status, noting her parents are South African (YouTube video interview).
• Maria Nila, a hair brand that profiles her, describes her as “well known for her natural red hair color” (Maria Nila).

What this means: Her red hair is a confirmed fact, not a rumor.

How Old Is Madelaine Petsch?

• Born August 18, 1994 (IMDb).
• As of 2025, she is 30 years old.
• Height: 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) per IMDb.
• Zodiac sign: Leo (born August 18).

For more details on her biography, see Madelaine Petsch: Facts, Dating, Age, and Hair Truth.

What Movies and TV Shows Has Madelaine Petsch Been In?

• Riverdale (2017–2023) – Cheryl Blossom, her signature role (Wikipedia).
• Sightless (2020) – Lead role in this psychological thriller (IMDb).
• Polaroid (2019) – Horror film debut (IMDb).
• The Strangers – Chapter 1 (2024) – First installment of the reboot trilogy, with sequels expected (IMDb).
• Various short films and voice work.

The catch: If the sequels succeed, she may finally shed the Cheryl Blossom label.

Timeline

• August 18, 1994 – Born in Port Orchard, Washington.
• 2016 – Moves to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
• 2017–2023 – Stars as Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale.
• February 2017 – Begins relationship with Travis Mills.
• 2020 – Leads in thriller Sightless.
• August 2022 – Begins relationship with music manager Anthony Li (per Wikipedia).
• 2023 – Confirms breakup with Travis Mills in a social media video.
• February 2025 – Spotted with Tyga at multiple events (ELLE).
• 2024–2025 – Stars in The Strangers – Chapter 1 and schedules sequels.

The pattern: Her public timeline is full of clear markers, but some romantic links remain deliberately vague.

What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed Facts

• Birth date and place (Port Orchard, August 18, 1994). (IMDb)
• Height (5’7″ per IMDb).
• Role as Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale. (Wikipedia)
• Relationship with Travis Mills (2017–2023) confirmed by both. (Wikipedia)
• South African heritage (father is South African). (Wikipedia)
• Natural redhead (she dyes it darker). (Cosmopolitan)

What’s Unclear

• Status of rumored relationship with Tyga (never confirmed by either party; only sightings and an anonymous source).
• Exact start date of relationship with Travis Mills (reported as early 2017 but no official announcement).
• Net worth (no official figure; estimates vary).
• Instagram follower count may have shifted since 2025.
• Relationship with Anthony Li (reported but not publicly confirmed by Petsch).

Key Quotes

“I am a natural redhead, but I dye my hair a darker red for Riverdale.”

Madelaine Petsch, in an interview with Cosmopolitan

“Travis and I have decided to go our separate ways.”

Madelaine Petsch, in a 2023 YouTube video

“They are definitely dating.”

Anonymous source, in ELLE (March 2025)

For Petsch, the pattern is clear: she speaks openly about her roots and her relationships when she owns them, but stays silent on rumors. The Tyga story will remain speculation until she decides to address it—and her track record suggests she’ll do so on her own terms. For a similar fact-check on another actress, see Camila Morrone: Biography, Age, and DiCaprio Relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions