KJ APA AND KARA BRADFORD PACK ON THE PDA AMIDST THE STREETS OF AUCKLAND
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What's home without one of Kara's kisses?
Riverdale's Keneti James "KJ" Apa and Shortland Street's Kara Bradford took to the busy streets of Auckland, New Zealand to celebrate the actor's 20th birthday. The two were bombarded by fans of Apa's CW show, many of whom claim the New Zealand born actor and actress were seen openly sharing a passionate kiss.
"They were incredibly comfortable with each other from what it appeared, like they really enjoyed each other's presence," a source described to E! News. "Both were laughing a lot and KJ often pecked the side of (Kara's) head affectionately."
The pair kept their look casual, Bradford sporting an olive green t-shirt, skinny jeans and black puffer jack, while Apa opted for a sweatshirt, white jacket and jeans.
While on their stroll through Auckland, the Shortland Street stars were reported to be discussing the topic of lunch and the many places they wished to eat. The two seemed very familiar with their surroundings, reported a fan, which should come as no surprise considering both Apa and Bradford had grown up in the area.
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Between late-2013 and mid-2015, KJ regularly portrayed Kane Jenkins in New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street, along side current girlfriend, Kara Bradford, who continues to play Eva Greene. While the two were not well-acquainted when Apa first joined the cast, things appeared to have changed during filming.
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Meanwhile, friends of the pair are reported to have been unaware of their relationship, including New Zealand born, Thirteen Reasons Why star, Mila Joseph, who is currently real life best friends with the Riverdale actor.
"Nobody knew they were dating before recently, all we knew is that KJ was heading back home to see family," Joseph commented hours after the sighting. "While it's a shock to many of us, they make a really lovely pair and I'm incredibly happy for the both of them."
Joseph was not accompanying the two for a celebratory lunch in New Zealand as a result of her jam packed schedule in L.A and the shooting of Thirteen Reasons Why's second season starting on the first of July, in which she plays high schooler, Madison Tram.
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Producers of the CW's award winning show, Riverdale, have allowed KJ time off for his birthday and a visit to his home town with family and Kara Bradford. Apa plays as heart throb, Archie Andrews, a talented, red-headed jock with a newly-acquired passion for guitar, song writing, performing, and not to mention his music teacher, Miss Geraldine Grundy (Sarah Habel).
Fans of Riverdale and the actor have already begun speculating that his relationship with Bradford was constructed as an act of publicity to attract more attention to the show's incoming second season currently being produced.
"While (the speculations) could be true, it does seem highly unlikely for the CW to put so much effort into something that is evidently unnecessary," a source claims. "It's just not something they would do that KJ would agree with. He has a ton of morals and dating for publicity certainly isn't one of them."
Do you think KJ Apa and Kara Bradford are in love, or instead dating for the purpose of publicity? Subscribe to E! News for more info on New Zealand's latest couple.
