KJ Apa is sharing the map that led to him being granted an important title in his Samoan community.
The Riverdale alum detailed how he became a Samoan chief in his New Zealand village of Moata’a, revealing that the tradition dates back generations.
“The title that my dad has is a very old title that’s in our family called Tupa’i,” KJ explained during an Aug. 13 appearance on the Today show. “He got his title—I think it was about five, six years ago. And his father had it, so it was bestowed upon him after his father passed away.”
That’s why the 28-year-old was thrilled to be offered the privilege of carrying on the “beautiful tradition” after being given the title of Savae chief during a 2022 ceremony. As he put it, “It’s an honor to be able to receive that from my village too.”
However, KJ—who shares son Sasha Vai Keneti Apa, 4, with ex Clara Berry—admitted that his acting career has taken some precedent over carrying out responsibilities as a chief in his Moata’a community.
