KJ Apa, the New Zealand-born actor best known for his role in the popular television series ‘Riverdale’, has expressed his excitement about his upcoming summer plans for 2026. The 29-year-old is looking forward to travelling back to his homeland with his four-year-old son, Sasha, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Clara Berry.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/KJ-Apa-Sasha-2-070926-c355fe07341d492383566148450365fd.jpg)
In a recent exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Apa outlined his simple yet meaningful summer itinerary. “I’m excited about going back to New Zealand to see my family, and I’m going to take my son with me,” explained the actor, highlighting how important this trip will be for both him and Sasha. “That’s what I’m looking forward to,” he added, emphasising the value he places on family connections.
Apa became a father in September 2021 when Sasha was born, and he has since shared insights about how fatherhood has impacted his life. Last year, during an appearance on Andy Cohen’s radio show, he spoke candidly about his journey into parenthood and how it helped him address personal challenges, including substance abuse. “A lot of things that I realised I had to button up, I buttoned up,” he recalled. “I realised that there’s no other way for me to do it.”
In his reflections on fatherhood, Apa described Sasha as “a gift that saved my life.” He candidly acknowledged the deep love he has for his son, stating that his parental responsibilities necessitate sacrifices. “I love you so much more than me. I have to sacrifice all these things for you. And that’s what a good parent does,” he remarked, illustrating the profound changes that come with becoming a parent.
The actor, who has recently lent his voice to the Audible Original ‘The Summer Oath’, revealed that he faced an identity crisis following the conclusion of ‘Riverdale’ in 2023. Having portrayed the character Archie Andrews for seven seasons, he admitted to experiencing a difficult transitional period. “When I finished that show, I went through a year of really having to re-gather who I was, like, re-remember who I was,” recalled Apa, explaining that this period coincided with several other life changes.
This tumultuous time included navigating the complexities of fatherhood, as Sasha was only a year old at the time, as well as dealing with the breakup from his mother, Clara Berry. “I definitely had this crisis of identity while trying to pick up the pieces of who I was,” he said. However, Apa has since adopted a perspective of gratitude regarding these challenges. “I look back, and I’m so grateful for it because I asked for this life. I asked to be here, and this is what it all comes with. And I’m grateful for it. I’m glad I went through it.”
Through all these experiences, KJ Apa has not only managed to balance his personal life with his professional commitments but also emerged stronger in his role as a devoted father. With heartfelt reflections on his journey and a clear focus on family, Apa appears set to make the most of his summer trip to New Zealand.
As he plans to reconnect with his roots and spend quality time with Sasha, fans of the actor will likely be keen to hear how this next chapter unfolds. For KJ Apa, the upcoming summer represents a chance to reminisce about his heritage while building lasting memories with his child.