KJ Apa Gets Honest About 'Riverdale' Fame: 'They Really Have No Idea That We Are Actual People'

KJ Apa is opening up.

The 23-year-old Riverdale star posed for a series of pictures shot by Christopher Sherman, styled by Mel Ottenberg, for Interview, along with a conversation with Demi Moore.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of KJ Apa

Here’s what he had to say…

On Riverdale: “There’s been so much pressure in playing Archie. I’m so grateful for the show and its success, but at the same time, there’s a lot of baggage that comes with that success. I feel like the only people I can talk to about my issues are my costars, the people who can really relate to me. Cole [Sprouse, who plays Jughead Jones] is an amazing person to have on set, because he’s been doing this his whole life. I try and look at it from a fan’s perspective to understand the way they think. But there are times when I’m like, ‘Wow, they really have no idea that we are actual people. They can’t separate us from our characters.’ You don’t have that in other professions. You don’t dissect the life of a builder and start judging the decisions he makes in his life with his wife and kids. As an actor, I will be judged on everything: my political opinions, my opinions on drugs, my opinions on the people I want to be with. Everything. It’s something I’ve had to come to terms with.”

On Luke Perry‘s guidance: Having Luke [Perry] on the show was such a blessing for me. When I was first experiencing success, Luke had a way of just quashing it and being like, ‘You’re only as important as the PA sitting over there.’ He knew everyone’s name. Sometimes people talk about our job as this really important thing, like no one else can do it. Luke had the ability to be like, ‘Step on your mark. Stay in line. Go home. Show up on time. Treat people with respect.’ I loved that about him.”

On self-care: “I’m trying to get better at doing things for myself first. I feel like I need to do things all the time for other people. I’m trying to learn that if I’m not really being kind to myself, then I’m not going to be able to help the people who really love me.”

KJ recently got attention for posting something on his main feed meant for his Close Friends list.

For more from KJ, head to InterviewMagazine.com.