KJ Apa Opens Up About His Honored Role As Samoan Chief

Riverdale star KJ Apa is offering fans a closer look at a part of his life that may be less familiar to them than his life in the Hollywood spotlight: his strong ties to his Samoan heritage and his newly appointed role as a chief. The 28-year-old opened up about how he won the Savae chief title in his New Zealand village of Moata'a, a tradition that has been passed down through generations in his family.

"The title that my dad has is a very old title that's in our family called Tupa'i," KJ said on the Today show. "I've got a title which my dad has, it's an ancient family title, it's called Tupa'i," he said. The tradition was then inherited by KJ when his father passed away, and the option was presented to him to continue the garlic legacy at the market or not. For Pandeni, who received the Savae chief title in a 2022 ceremony, the title wasn't just a name or rank, but an intimate connection that linked him to his own heritage.

Read More: Rapper 6ix9ine Mourns The Death Of Ariela "La Langosta"

The honor is more than just a ceremonial distinction to Apa. It is a bridge between his life as one of the world's most successful actors and the obligations of his culture at home. "It's an honor to be able to receive that from my village too," he said, contemplating the heaviness and pride of the title. His role as the Savae chief situates him as both a leader and a community member in Moata'a, the village that has remained the core of his being, even as he and his siblings went on to achieve success around the world. Balancing his duties as an actor with those of a chief has presented its own challenges, though. Speaking frankly, KJ has prioritized his career over his village duties at times. But despite the chaos of life on a movie set or on a promotional tour, he continues to observe the tradition that shaped his family's legacy.

Apa's relationship with Moata'a is also steeped in his personal life. And as the father to his son, Sasha Vai Keneti Apa, 4, with ex-partner Clara Berry, he sees the title as a present not only for himself, but also for his extended family's next generation. In taking on the title of Savae chief, KJ carries on a legacy that is more than just a title, but rather a living history of his ancestors and the timeless traditions of his people. For followers of Riverdale and admirers of Samoan culture, KJ Apa's journey offers a rare glimpse into how deep tradition, family, and personal achievement can intersect, even for a star who keeps himself grounded in his roots to shine on the world stage.