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Five years after our first conversation, the Texas-born actress and model is embracing bigger roles, new challenges, and a new life in Los Angeles.
When we last spoke with Charlotte Delaney Riggs, she was a 15-year-old actress living in Texas, already building an impressive résumé while dreaming about the opportunities that lay ahead. Five years later, many of those ambitions have become reality. Now based in Los Angeles and attending the University of Southern California full-time, Riggs has emerged as a multifaceted performer whose career spans film, television, voice acting, modeling, and brand campaigns, all while maintaining a demanding academic schedule and leadership roles on campus.
Among the projects generating the most anticipation is Run Hide Fight: Infidels, the upcoming sequel to Run Hide Fight, in which Riggs stars alongside Jonathan Majors. Previously known as the untitled DailyWire/Bonfire Legend project, the film has already attracted significant industry attention, earning multiple trade press features before even receiving an official release date. Scheduled for release this fall, the action thriller represents a major milestone for Riggs, who performed her own stunts and embraced her first substantial action role. With promotional materials and behind-the-scenes images expected to be released in the coming weeks, the project is poised to introduce audiences to a new side of her work.
That momentum extends beyond film. Riggs recently celebrated another milestone as the lead performer in the horror podcast Dead Night, which has surpassed 100,000 downloads on Spotify. At the same time, she continues to expand her modeling career, appearing on runways for multiple brands in India through LA Fashion Closet, walking in Los Angeles Fashion Week shows, and becoming a familiar face in alternative and Japanese fashion circles through appearances at San Japan and OkaeriCon, where she has also hosted her own panels. Balancing all of this with life as a USC student, she remains actively involved in several campus organizations, serving as a club officer and choreographer for the award-winning a cappella group Asli Baat and helping launch USC’s chapter of REACH, where she previously served as president.
Despite a schedule that would challenge most seasoned professionals, Riggs still describes herself as someone who is just getting started. As she enters her twenties, she sees every new project, performance, and experience as part of a much larger journey.
“The last time we spoke, I was 15 years old, and now I’m entering my twenties, so a lot has changed both personally and professionally,” she says. “At the time, I was definitely early in my career, although I still feel like I’m just getting started because acting is something I plan to pursue for the rest of my life.”
Finding New Challenges
Much of that growth has come from deliberately seeking roles that stretch her abilities and force her into unfamiliar territory. Rather than settling into a particular type of character, Riggs has embraced opportunities that push her beyond her comfort zone.
“One of the biggest ways I’ve grown as an actor is by continuing to challenge myself with roles that push me outside of my comfort zone,” she explains. “My most recent film, the upcoming sequel to Run Hide Fight, starring Jonathan Majors, gave me an opportunity to play a very strong female character, which forced me to approach the role in a completely different way.”
The project marked another milestone in her development as a performer.
“This was my first major action film, so that was exciting for me. I enjoyed doing my own stunts and working with an amazing cast and crew.”
Her momentum has continued since production wrapped. Riggs recently booked the lead role in an upcoming coming-of-age comedy and has also expanded into voice acting through the Spotify project Midnight Caller.
“Since wrapping that production, I’ve booked the lead in a coming-of-age comedy, which I’m very much looking forward to. The script is so funny and also very touching as well. I’m also working on a voiceover project, Midnight Caller on Spotify, which has expanded my skill set as a performer.”
As she has matured, she says the personal experiences that come with growing older have become valuable creative tools.
“As I’ve gotten older and gained life experiences, I have more to pull from, which allows me to more easily connect with my characters, understand different perspectives, and bring authenticity to emotional moments. Every year, I learn more about myself and the world around me, and I think that naturally makes me a stronger actor.”
Growing Up on Set
Long before action films and leading roles, Riggs was a young performer discovering the excitement of being on set for the first time. Some of her earliest memories still revolve around those formative experiences.
“Some of my earliest memories are actually from commercials,” she recalls. “I remember being excited just to be on set and meeting new people. One of my favorite parts was always making friends with cast members and crew. Every project felt like a new adventure, and I genuinely looked forward to going to work.”
Looking back, she credits those early years with teaching lessons that extended far beyond acting.
“I think growing up in the industry taught me responsibility at a young age. When you’re a child actor, there are a lot of people counting on you to be prepared, focused, and professional. That creates a sense of accountability that has stayed with me throughout my life.”
The experience also helped shape the confidence and adaptability that continue to serve her today.
“It also helped me develop confidence and strong social skills. Being on so many different sets exposed me to people from all walks of life, and I learned how to communicate with adults, collaborate with teams, and adapt to new environments. Those experiences shaped who I am today both personally and professionally.”
Adapting to Every Medium
Over the years, Riggs has worked across film, television, commercials, and digital media, experiences that have taught her that each platform requires a slightly different approach.
“Absolutely. Every medium serves a different purpose and reaches audiences in a different way, so my approach naturally changes depending on the project.”
Commercial work, she explains, requires a different kind of storytelling discipline.
“Commercials tend to be fast-paced and focused on capturing attention in a very short amount of time. In that environment, I’m thinking about energy, personality, and connecting with the audience quickly. There’s often a strong emphasis on entertainment and storytelling in just a few seconds.”
Narrative projects, however, allow for deeper exploration.
“Film and television are different because they allow for much deeper character development. When I’m working on a narrative project, my goal is to fully embody the character and make every moment feel as truthful as possible. Rather than focusing on being entertaining, I’m focused on creating a believable character and serving the story.”
Still, regardless of the medium, she says the core principle remains unchanged.
“At the end of the day, the foundation is always the same—being authentic—but the way you get there can vary depending on the medium.”
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Cover photo courtesy Charlotte Delaney Riggs.
Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.
