KJ Apa gets cadid about addiction battles, Cole Sprouse punch and McDonald’s incident amid eating disorder
The ‘Riverdale’ star revealed his lowest moment when he ate food after urinating on it and his co-star’s confrontation
KJ Apa has spoken candidly about his struggles with addiction during his time filming Riverdale, revealing one of his lowest moments involved eating McDonald’s food after urinating on it, while also disclosing that co-star Cole Sprouse once punched him after learning he had relapsed.
Speaking on the Wildmen Podcast, the New Zealand actor reflected on the unhealthy habits he developed while starring as Archie Andrews on the hit CW series between 2017 and 2023 after moving to the United States at the age of 17.
“I had so many things that I was doing that were so unhealthy that kind of bred throughout that show in me because of… having my shirt off all the time, even just experiencing fame,” Apa said.
“I’ve been sober a year and a half, but it’s been six years of… anything that makes me feel good, I will abuse. It’s something that I’ve learned about myself.”
Apa also opened up about his disordered eating habits, admitting that he would regularly binge on doughnuts while filming before returning to his trailer to make himself sick. He also described an incident during quarantine while trying to stay sober and lose weight.
“And so which then also makes me do crazy s**t but I ordered all of this McDonald’s. I ordered like three Big Macs, a bunch of McNuggets and stuff, and fries, milkshake and it’s like 2am, about to beast mode this thing.”
“I slam like half of it, and immediately I’m like, ‘Why did I do that? Why did I do that?’ I p*ss*d on the rest of the food.”
Apa then revealed he returned outside after making himself sick and ate what remained.
“I went downstairs, I go outside, it’s there, right? And I start eating around the p*ss, I eat the rest of the food and left the soaking p*ss food there.”
“I could have just ordered more food, but I needed to have it right now.”
Podcast host Dylan Sprouse suggested the behaviour reflected self-punishment, telling Apa, “And you also needed to punish yourself and make it harder for yourself.”
“Exactly,” Apa replied.
The actor also revealed that Dylan’s brother and his Riverdale co-star Cole Sprouse once punched him after finding out he had relapsed, underscoring the difficult period he experienced while battling addiction.
He acknowledged that punch was out of ‘love’ and concern that his friend had for him.
Apa said he has now been sober for 18 months and continues to reflect openly on the challenges he faced during the height of his fame.
