When KJ Apa auditioned for a role in the hit CW TV series Riverdale, he did something that any acting coach would probably not suggest to do – he played a song.
“I don’t know if it was essential that the character needed to play the guitar or be somewhat musical,” the New Zealand-born actor shared in a recent interview about going out for Archie. “But it was scripted in the pilot that he likes to write music and stuff.”
KJ continues, “I remember in the screen test I took my guitar and just casually walked in. I told them I was going to play them a song before I did the scene. They didn’t really have a choice and I just did it. (laughs)”
He adds, “I knew it was something that they would like to see.”
I think it definitely helped him land the role. AMA has since won the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Saturn Awards this year.