Society Insider: Riverdale star KJ Apa goes public with new girlfriend

K.J. Apa, widely recognized for his role on Riverdale, has stepped into the public eye with a new partner following his separation earlier this year from French model Clara Berry. Apa, now 29, has been dating New Zealand model Renee Wilkins, also 29, who has accompanied him at recent public events, including the Newport Beach Film Festival where Apa received the Spotlight Award for his portrayal of Jimmy Stewart.

The couple has chosen to keep a relatively low profile until recently, with their relationship becoming more visible over the past month. Wilkins, who has a diverse background balancing an international modelling career with academic achievements including a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, continues to build momentum in the fashion world. She is represented by Ford Models in Los Angeles and remains active across major fashion hubs such as Auckland, New York, and Europe.

Wilkins’ modelling résumé includes campaigns for notable brands such as Incanto, Wrangler, and New Zealand jeweler Jessica McCormack. Her connections extend into the Kiwi expatriate music scene, associating with figures like Liam Finn and members of Lorde’s family, as well as prominent creatives like photographer James Lowe. The pair are known to split their time between Los Angeles locales like Santa Monica and Malibu, integrating into Apa’s social circle that includes actor John Owen Lowe.

Apa’s career trajectory took him from New Zealand’s Shortland Street to international fame via Hollywood’s Riverdale series. His new relationship with Wilkins represents a blending of two successful New Zealand expatriates navigating careers across entertainment and fashion industries abroad.

In a parallel development, former The Bachelorette New Zealand contestant Lily McManus has also entered into a new relationship, this time with New Jersey-based singer and musician Kelsey Hunter. Their partnership reportedly began earlier in 2024 and has been marked by shared time in various international cities, including New York, Sydney, Rome, and the Italian coast.

Hunter, rooted in blues and rock traditions, is active in the New York music scene and has performed alongside established artists such as Sophie B. Hawkins and Foreigner. McManus, who gained public attention through multiple reality TV appearances, including The Bachelor Winter Games and Celebrity Treasure Island, has been open about her fluid approach to relationships. Her relationship with Hunter highlights her continued evolution in both her personal and public life.

The couple’s public moments include events such as a wedding in New Jersey where they appeared as a committed pair among hundreds of guests. Their cross-continental connection underscores the blending of careers and personal lives within the Australasian and American entertainment spheres.

These developments in the personal lives of Apa and McManus illustrate a broader narrative of New Zealand talents expanding their presence internationally while maintaining ties to their home country. Both individuals exemplify the increasing global mobility and interconnectedness of artists and entertainers from New Zealand.

While further details about these relationships remain limited, their emergence in the public domain has attracted attention for the way both Apa and McManus balance high-profile careers with personal milestones. Their stories continue to evolve alongside their professional achievements, reflecting the dynamic nature of fame and private life in contemporary entertainment.