Tough Little Solider

The ceremony

KJ has been bestowed the Samoan chiefly title Savae in a traditional ceremony by the chiefs of his village of Moata'a, early this morning.

"O le a ou tautua – I will serve," was his testimony to his village and his family as he accepted his Ava, his seat in the village council and his family, and the numerous responsibilities that come with a holder of the Savae title.

Savae KJ said his full testimony in the Samoan language.

The bestowment ceremony was held at the traditional grounds – Laoa o Tamapua in Moataa village and the chiefs commended the actor's courage to take on this step in accepting his Samoan heritage and culture as well as his new responsibilities.

Savae Keneti presented the village chiefs monetary gifts and also presented his traditional attire worn during the ceremony to the village as is custom.

The whole family watched with pride but for Kristina she thought of Amanda as she remembered Manda asking her when they were 8.

"Do you think Keneti will do the title?"

Kristina smiled.

"I have no idea, my bet is on Matthew!"

Amanda said.

"Uhhh, I don't know if big brother is interested in the responsibility."

Kristina said.

"We will never know."

The two laugh.

Kristina said to herself.

"You called it, Amanda!"

Then during the ceremony he honored Luke and asked Kristina to come out. Kristina, in her ceremonial gown being aware of Luke's tribute, but clueless with what KJ was doing now. During rehearsal, this wasn't being practice enough for Kristina to know why she coming in at this moment. The chief mentioned about the friendship Lei and why it's important.

The Chief looked at Kristina and said.

"I remember you and Amanda would run around in this very room as kids after the meetings with both of your dads. I would feel the spirit blessing you both and it was special."

Kristina smiled.

He choked up.

"We were having a meeting to prep KJ for this ceremony, when I received word about Amanda, the first thing I asked was how's Kristina holding up? Your brother cried as your dad said that you're the one who found her. My heart sank."

He concluded.

"KJ knew he had wanted to honor Luke, but wanted to include you as he honored Amanda."

Kristina hold the Lei as KJ told her to close her eyes for a moment. He turned her to the picture.

"You can open your eyes, now."

She did. Next to Luke's display, she sees the beautiful photos of the two of them as kids and them as adults during Kristina's farewell ceremony in the same room and plaque on the wall. It caught her breath as she was moved to tears as KJ hugged her.

"Oh gosh! Keneti it's so pretty."

she wheeled with KJ towards it and hang the Lei. Kristina did spoke the prayer of friendship and said it perfectly in the language.

The chief was proud and admitted.

"You said that beautifully, we should have made you chief!"

Kristina said blushing.

"Oh no....KJ is perfect for this."

Everyone laughed.

The entire tribe decided on the spot to make her an honorary chief. The whole family teared up!

Kristina said.

""O le a ou tautua – I will serve."

After the ceremony Kristina hugged her brother.

"So proud of you!"

KJ hugged her.

"No, I'm proud of you!"

An: Apia , SAMOA – 01 SEPTEMBER 2022: Riverdale star, KJ Apa who plays Archie Andrews in the CW drama series has been bestowed the Samoan chiefly title Savae in a traditional ceremony by the chiefs of his village of Moata'a, early this morning.

"O le a ou tautua – I will serve," was his testimony to his village and his family as he accepted his Ava, his seat in the village council and his family, and the numerous responsibilities that come with a holder of the Savae title.

Savae KJ said his full testimony in the Samoan language.

The bestowment ceremony was held at the traditional grounds – Laoa o Tamapua in Moataa village and the chiefs commended the actor's courage to take on this step in accepting his Samoan heritage and culture as well as his new responsibilities.

Savae Keneti presented the village chiefs monetary gifts and also presented his traditional attire worn during the ceremony to the village as is custom.

The 25 year old actor, grew up in Samoa before moving to New Zealand where he took up acting playing Kane Jenkins in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street from 2013 to 2015.

In 2017, Sāvae Keneti was cast in the lead role of Archie Andrews in Riverdale.

While wrapping up the last season of Riverdale mid this year, the actor announced that he will be heading back home to New Zealand.

Asked on the Ryan Show in 2019 whether his father's title will be passed down to him, the actor said he is uncertain if he's ready to take on the responsibilities of a Samoan chiefly title holder especially since he does not speak the language fluently.

The 25-year-old actor is in Samoa with his parents, fiancé and son, as well as friend and Riverdale co-cast, Charles Bo – They are staying at Taumeasina Island Resort.

He is also a musician who has received various awards including a Saturn Award, and nominations for an MTV Movie and TV Awards, two People's Choice awards and two teen Choice Awards.

In film, Apa has also starred in A Dog's Purpose (2017), The Hate U Give (2018), I Still Believe (2020) and in 2021, he released his debut solo album, the indie folk-rock album Clocks, which received attention on Spotify and Tiktok.

congratulations! Had to post article! In case anyone curious.

Made up the tribute wall for fun.