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Former Riverdale star KJ Apa opened up to Jenna Bush Hager about his experience of becoming a chief for his Samoan village Moata’a in 2022, which he said was an “honor” to receive.
“We learned something really cool. You’re from New Zealand. Your dad is actually a chief of a Samoan village, is that right? And now you are?” Bush Hager asked during Wednesday’s (Aug. 13) episode of Today. “We have royalty in the house!”
Apa explained that his father, Keneti Apa, has a “very old title” that has been in the family for decades. In 2022, KJ received the Samoan chiefly title Savae during a ceremony held in his village of Moata’a, according to reports at the time.
“He got his title I think it was about five, six years ago now and his father had it. It was bestowed on him after his father passed away,” KJ explained on Today. “It’s a beautiful tradition that we do in Samoa and its an honor to be able to receive that from my village.”
When asked what kinds of responsibilities come with the title, KJ said that his father is very involved with the village and that the Samoan community remains supportive of his acting career.
“I give all the responsibilities to my dad,” the actor admitted with a laugh. “He goes over there a lot for me. I just think Samoans are so proud of me kind of showing my work to a world stage and [the fact that] I get to do that is so amazing.”
He continued, “It’s a very small community of people, Samoans. But they are everywhere. I mean look at Dwayne Johnson, he’s really the guy.”
Today With Jenna & Friends featured photos KJ shared from the ceremony when it took place in 2022. “My goal is to serve my family and my village (Moata’a) Thank you God,” he wrote at the time.
The actor was visiting to promote his new romance The Map That Leads To You, which marks his first acting role since starring as Archie in Riverdale. The long-running CW drama ended in 2023 after seven seasons.
Based on JP Monninger’s novel, The Map That Leads To You follows Heather (Madeline Cline) whose trip across Europe becomes a life-changing journey when meets the mysterious and charming Jack (Apa).
The Map That Leads To You premieres on Prime Video Aug. 20.
