Diversion Audio Launches ''The Royals of Malibu'' Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Alyssa McKay

Diversion Audio launches season 1 of its new, scripted podcast, "The Royals of Malibu," a 13-episode audio adaptation of the book "Paper Princess" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Erin Watt. The new series features social media sensation Alyssa McKay as the lead character, Ella Sinclair, a 17-year-old orphan who is swept away from a life of sex work to the privilege of ultra-wealthy Malibu.

McKay is the top female lifestyle creator on Snapchat globally with 2.5 billion+ average monthly views and boasts 15 million+ followers across all her social media platforms. With "The Royals of Malibu," she is turning her Gen Z fans into first-time podcast listeners. The actor is often known for her "Rich Girl" persona on TikTok where she has more than 10 million followers.

"I am incredibly excited to partner with Diversion to bring to life 'The Royals of Malibu' and the podcast's main character, Ella Sinclair, to whom I feel a deep connection," shared McKay. "I was able to bring my followers along with me in real-time through the recording process and it has been so much fun to introduce a new audience to the fiction podcast genre. This show is dramatic, witty, and very steamy, so it has something to offer everyone."

Rounding out the cast are real-life brothers Chris Cafero (Inventing Anna) and Nick Cafero (Minx) as Ella's step-brothers Reed & Easton Royal, Zaria (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) as Ella's nemesis, Savannah Gonzalez, Armen Taylor (Ghost in the Shell) as Callum Royal, their father, and Franchesca Agramonte (Lethal Weapon) as Valerie Gonzalez, Ella's best friend.

"Alyssa is an incredibly talented actress I knew through her creative work on TikTok, and we're thrilled to have her as our lead. 'The Royals of Malibu' represents a unique marriage between social media and the medium of scripted podcasts. The show has already seen massive fan engagement with Alyssa's diehard fans and we can't wait for listeners everywhere to fall in love with 'The Royals of Malibu'," said Diversion producer Emma DeMuth.

The first three episodes of The Royals of Malibu (Season 1) are available on all major podcast platforms now.