KJ Apa

KJ Apa is a New Zealand actor, producer, and musician of Samoan and European descent. He gained recognition for his role as Kane Jenkins in the New Zealand soap opera "Shortland Street" and for portraying Archie Andrews in the CW teen drama series "Riverdale."

Apa's breakthrough occurred when he was cast as Archie Andrews in "Riverdale" after a six-month worldwide talent search. The series premiered to positive reviews and became a hit for the network, running for seven seasons and 134 episodes. The role required Apa, who has naturally dark brown hair, to undergo regular salon treatments to achieve Archie's signature red hair.

Beyond "Riverdale," Apa has built a film career with roles in the adventure drama film "A Dog's Purpose," the teen drama film "The Hate U Give," and the biographical romantic drama film "I Still Believe." In "I Still Believe," he portrayed Christian singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp. Apa also starred in Prime Video's "The Map That Leads to You," playing a character named Jack. He plays Jimmy Stewart in the biopic "Jimmy" and is set to portray Bradley Nowell in a Sublime biopic.

Music is central to Apa's identity. He writes songs, recorded a solo guitar album at age 14, and was in a band in New Zealand. He independently released his debut album, "Clocks," which explores folk rock and indie genres and gained attention on Spotify and TikTok. Apa's Samoan heritage is significant to him; he was awarded the matai title of Savae by his native village Moata'a in Samoa, following in the footsteps of his father and paternal grandfather. He has spoken about personal growth, noting that fatherhood helped him get sober and has grounded him, reshaping his perspective on life and his career. Apa continues to evolve as a dynamic performer in the entertainment industry, with a growing presence in film, television, and music.