5 Major Updates: Vanessa Morgan's Life After Riverdale—New Show, Engagement, And Baby #2

As of December 13, 2025, Canadian actress Vanessa Morgan has successfully navigated a monumental transition from her career-defining role as Toni Topaz on the hit CW series *Riverdale* to becoming a leading lady in a new procedural, all while embracing significant milestones in her personal life. The end of the seven-season run of *Riverdale* in 2023 marked a new chapter, and Morgan has wasted no time, quickly securing a new starring role and expanding her family. This deep-dive article explores the five most compelling and current updates in Vanessa Morgan's world, revealing how she is balancing a burgeoning career on her new show, *Wild Cards*, with a growing and happy family life, including a recent engagement and the arrival of her second child. Her story is one of professional reinvention and profound personal joy, making her one of the most talked-about stars of the new television season.

Vanessa Morgan: Complete Biography and Profile

Vanessa Morgan Mziray, known professionally as Vanessa Morgan, is a Canadian actress and singer who has built a versatile career across television and film. She first gained prominence in the Canadian teen comedy *The Latest Buzz* and later became a familiar face to a global audience through her work with Disney and The CW.

• Full Name: Vanessa Morgan Mziray
• Date of Birth: March 23, 1992
• Place of Birth: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Height: 5 ft 2 in (1.58 m)
• Parents: Her mother is Scottish and her father is Tanzanian.
• Education: Graduated from Colonel By Secondary School.
• Early Career Highlight: Won the Junior Miss America pageant in 1999.
• Spouse/Partner: James Karnik (Engaged, as of late 2024), Michael Kopech (Divorced 2021).
• Children: Son, River (born 2021, with Michael Kopech); Daughter, Kaia (born August 2024, with James Karnik).
• Notable Roles:
  • Toni Topaz in *Riverdale* (2017–2023)
  • Max Mitchell in *Wild Cards* (2024–Present)
  • Beatrix "Bird" Castro in *Finding Carter* (2014–2015)
  • Sarah in *My Babysitter's a Vampire* (2010–2012)
  • Amanda Pierce in *The Latest Buzz* (2007–2010)

1. Starring in a New CW Hit: The Rise of Max Mitchell in 'Wild Cards'

After the conclusion of *Riverdale*'s seventh and final season, Vanessa Morgan quickly transitioned back to The CW network, this time in a leading role that showcases her comedic timing and sharp wit. Her new series, *Wild Cards*, is a "blue sky procedural with a comedic twist" that premiered to strong reception and has already been renewed for a second season. Morgan stars as Max Mitchell, a "spirited, clever con woman" who is forced to team up with a demoted, "by-the-book, sardonic cop" named Cole Ellis, played by Giacomo Gianniotti (*Grey's Anatomy*). The premise is a classic odd-couple dynamic, where Max uses her criminal expertise—her knowledge of cons, disguises, and reading people—to help Ellis solve crimes. The role of Max Mitchell is a significant departure from the beloved Southside Serpent, Toni Topaz, allowing Morgan to explore a lighter, more fast-paced, and complex character. Fans of her work are thrilled to see her shine in a role that allows her to be front and center, with the second season promising to immediately address the cliffhanger left at the end of the first season. This new project solidifies her status as a network television staple and demonstrates her versatility as an actress.

2. A New Chapter: Engagement to James Karnik

Vanessa Morgan’s personal life is currently just as exciting as her professional one. In a heartwarming announcement made around the 2024 holiday season, the actress shared that she is engaged to professional basketball player James Karnik. The engagement news followed a period where Karnik had already become a constant, loving presence in the life of her son, River. This blending of families and the move toward marriage marks a deeply happy and stable phase for Morgan. The relationship has been celebrated by fans and fellow cast members alike, who have watched Morgan embrace motherhood and now, a new partnership. The engagement to Karnik is a beautiful next step, following her previous marriage and divorce from baseball player Michael Kopech.

3. Welcoming Baby Kaia: Expanding Her Family

In a major personal update, Vanessa Morgan welcomed her second child, a daughter named Kaia, in August 2024. This is her first child with her fiancé, James Karnik, and her second child overall, joining her older son, River, who was born in 2021. Morgan has been open about the joys and challenges of balancing her demanding acting career with motherhood, often sharing glimpses of her life as a working mom on social media. The arrival of baby Kaia has completed her family, bringing a new dynamic to her home life just as her new series, *Wild Cards*, was taking off. Her candidness about her family life resonates deeply with her audience, providing a genuine connection beyond her on-screen personas.

4. The Enduring Legacy of Toni Topaz and 'Choni'

While Vanessa Morgan is now the star of *Wild Cards*, her six-year run as Toni Topaz on *Riverdale* is an unforgettable part of television history. Toni Topaz was initially introduced as a member of the Southside Serpents, but quickly became a fan-favorite character known for her fierce loyalty, powerful sense of justice, and most notably, her groundbreaking relationship with Cheryl Blossom, affectionately dubbed "Choni." The "Choni" relationship became one of the most celebrated queer pairings in teen drama, providing significant representation for many viewers. Morgan's portrayal of Toni was a cornerstone of the show's later seasons, and the character's legacy remains a key topic of discussion among the *Riverdale* fanbase, even after the show's finale in 2023. Morgan has expressed her fondness for the character and the impact Toni had, acknowledging that the role was pivotal in launching her to a new level of stardom.

5. Advocacy and Vulnerability: The 'My Scar My Story' Campaign

Beyond her acting roles, Vanessa Morgan has used her platform for powerful personal advocacy, most notably through her partnership with Gold Bond for the "My Scar My Story" campaign. In a move of profound vulnerability, Morgan shared her personal journey with her C-section scar following the birth of her son, River. She spoke openly about the pressures and insecurities surrounding the changes to her body after childbirth, and how she learned to embrace her scar as a symbol of strength and motherhood. As part of the campaign, she even got a meaningful tattoo to honor her C-section scar, turning a perceived flaw into a permanent celebration of her body's power. This campaign not only promoted a skincare product but also sparked an important conversation about body positivity and destigmatizing the physical realities of motherhood, showcasing a deeply authentic and inspiring side of the actress.