Few Riverdale fans expected that the actor behind Archie Andrews would make headlines for his personal life in 2025 as much as for his on-screen role, but KJ Apa’s breakup with longtime partner Clara Berry and his candid discussions about fatherhood and sobriety have reshaped how the public sees him. Here’s what we know about the New Zealand star’s latest chapter.
Full name: Keneti James Fitzgerald Apa ·
Date of birth: June 17, 1997 ·
Nationality: New Zealand ·
Known for: Riverdale (Archie Andrews) ·
Children: One son, Sasha (born 2021) ·
Relationship status: Recently split with Clara Berry (2025)
Quick snapshot
- New role in Prime Video’s One Fast Move
- Co-parenting with Clara Berry
- Continued music releases
Ten key biographical details, one pattern: KJ Apa’s life has been a rapid transition from teenage TV star to father and public figure navigating personal change.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Keneti James Fitzgerald Apa |
| Date of birth | June 17, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Height | 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) |
| Occupation | Actor, musician |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Known for | Riverdale, The Hate U Give |
| Children | 1 son (Sasha, born 2021) |
| Partner | Clara Berry (2020–2025, separated) |
Why Did Clara and KJ Break Up?
Clara Berry publicly confirmed the split during a social media Q&A in February 2024, according to German outlet Gala. Multiple entertainment outlets later reported that the breakup came after roughly four years together. No official statement has been issued by either party’s representatives.
- Sources cited distance due to work schedules as a likely factor (NZ Herald).
- Berry later described co-parenting as challenging because she spends 50 percent of the time away from her son (Gala).
- The couple was still seen together publicly at Paris Fashion Week after the split was reported (NDTV).
The breakup appears amicable so far, but the lack of a formal statement leaves room for further details to emerge.
Bottom line: Clara Berry confirmed the split publicly; co-parenting is the current arrangement, but the exact reason remains unconfirmed.
How Old Was KJ Apa When He Had a Son?
KJ Apa welcomed his first child, Sasha Vai Keneti Apa, with Clara Berry in September 2021 (Wikipedia; Us Weekly). He was 24 years old (born June 1997).
- Apa stated that becoming a father “forced” him to get sober, saying in a SiriusXM interview: “It forced me to calm down and get sober” (Us Weekly).
- In a separate YouTube interview, he acknowledged he was not sober when he learned he was going to be a father (YouTube).
Apa’s candor about sobriety ties directly to his role as a father, making his personal narrative a consistent anchor in his public image.
Bottom line: Becoming a dad at 24 was a turning point that Apa credits with his decision to get sober.
Is KJ Apa Half Black?
KJ Apa is of Samoan and European descent; he is not half black. He clarified in interviews that he is not African American (NZ Herald).
- His natural hair color is brown, not ginger; he dyed it red for his role as Archie Andrews in Riverdale.
- Public misconceptions often arise because of his dyed hair and on-screen persona.
What this means: The actor’s background and appearance have been misunderstood partly due to his iconic red-haired character. The reality is a mix of Pacific Islander and European roots.
What Has Happened to KJ Apa?
The most significant recent event is his breakup with Clara Berry after four years, reported in early 2025 (NZ Herald). Beyond the split, Apa has continued to work in film and music.
- He starred in Prime Video’s One Fast Move as Wes Neal.
- Apa also faced an impersonation incident involving a fake “Mr Fantasy” account, covered by BBC (though the article is from a future date and not independently verified here).
- He remains active on social media and has not publicly addressed the breakup in detail.
While work continues, the lack of a public statement from Apa about the breakup means fans are still piecing together the story from Berry’s confirmation and media reports.
The picture remains incomplete until Apa speaks publicly.
What Is KJ Apa’s Girlfriend Famous For?
Clara Berry is a French model and social media influencer with over 200,000 Instagram followers (NZ Herald). She has worked with fashion brands and modeled for campaigns. Her public profile increased significantly after her relationship with KJ Apa became known.
- Berry has collaborated with labels such as Lacoste and appeared at Paris Fashion Week.
- She has posted about motherhood and co-parenting since the split, including candid comments about the challenges.
The trade-off: Berry’s fame is now partly independent, but her connection to Apa remains a frequent topic in entertainment coverage.
What Is KJ Apa’s Net Worth?
Estimates place KJ Apa’s net worth between $3 million and $5 million (NDTV). During the peak of Riverdale, he reportedly earned around $100,000 per episode.
- Additional income comes from music releases and brand endorsements.
- No official financial disclosure has been made, so these figures remain unverified.
Bottom line: Apa’s wealth is rooted in his TV salary, but exact numbers are speculative.
Timeline of Key Events
The timeline below traces KJ Apa’s major life and career milestones.
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| June 17, 1997 | KJ Apa born in Auckland, New Zealand. |
| 2013–2016 | First acting role in New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. |
| 2017–2023 | Played Archie Andrews in Riverdale, gaining international fame. |
| 2020 | Began relationship with French model Clara Berry. |
| September 2021 | Birth of son Sasha; KJ Apa becomes father (Us Weekly). |
| 2022 | Publicly discusses sobriety, citing fatherhood as catalyst (Us Weekly). |
| 2024 | Stars in Prime Video’s One Fast Move. |
| Early 2025 | Reports surface of breakup with Clara Berry after 4 years (NZ Herald). |
This chronology shows how quickly personal and professional events have stacked up for the actor.
What We Know vs. What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- KJ Apa was born on June 17, 1997 in Auckland (Wikipedia).
- He played Archie Andrews in Riverdale.
- He has a son named Sasha born in 2021 (Us Weekly).
- He and Clara Berry were in a relationship since 2020 (NZ Herald).
- He stated that becoming a father helped him get sober (Us Weekly).
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for the breakup with Clara Berry.
- Current relationship status (speculative).
- Precise net worth figure (only estimates).
- Whether the “Mr Fantasy” account is truly a ruse or not (future report).
- Whether he will address the breakup publicly.
The gap between confirmed and unclear highlights how much of the story is still unfolding.
Key Quotes
“It forced me to calm down and get sober.”
— KJ Apa, on fatherhood, in an interview with SiriusXM’s Radio Andy (Us Weekly)
“Co-parenting is challenging because I spend 50 percent of the time away from my son.”
— Clara Berry, speaking on her social media after the split (Gala)
For fans and followers of KJ Apa, the next chapter is already unfolding: co-parenting with Berry, new acting roles, and a continued commitment to sobriety. Whether he addresses the breakup directly or lets his work speak, his story remains one of rapid personal evolution under public scrutiny.
imdb.com, grazia.fr, imdb.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, hercampus.com, geo.tv
Frequently asked questions
Is KJ Apa married?
No, he has never been married. He was in a long-term relationship with Clara Berry, but they separated in 2025.
Who is KJ Apa’s ex-girlfriend?
His ex-girlfriend is Clara Berry, a French model and influencer. They were together from 2020 until early 2025.
Does KJ Apa have tattoos?
Yes, he has several tattoos, including a large chest piece and arm tattoos. He has spoken about getting tattoos during his Riverdale years.
What is KJ Apa’s real name?
His real name is Keneti James Fitzgerald Apa.
Where is KJ Apa from?
He is from Auckland, New Zealand.
What movies has KJ Apa been in?
He is best known for Riverdale, but also appeared in The Hate U Give, The Last Summer, and Prime Video’s One Fast Move.
How did KJ Apa become famous?
He became famous for playing Archie Andrews in the TV series Riverdale (2017–2023).
These top questions reflect public curiosity about his personal and professional life.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.