YouTube’s success has led to the spawning of almost innumerable video genres on the website. Of those, one of the most controversial is undoubtedly the so-called “family channel” genre that’s taken off over the last few years — video blogging channels run by the parents but prominently starring the whole family, including preteen children, toddlers and newborn babies. Pioneered and popularized by folks like the Ace Family, there are now dozens, if not hundreds, of family channels with significant followings.
Proponents of family channels say it’s all in good fun, often making comparisons to modern-day takes on “I Love Lucy” or “The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet.” But critics take a more dim view, noting that the kids are too young to consent to their image being shared with the world at large, that the kids often must work long hours to produce content, and that much of the revenue from these accounts can tend to find its way into the parents’ pockets. And unlike in traditional Hollywood, where young performers are protected by child labor laws, the wild west world of YouTube has comparatively few regulations.
The debates and hot takes will likely continue for years to come. In the meantime, one of the most popular of YouTube’s family channels is the Royalty Family, a Los Angeles-based clan self-described as a “modern day blended family” and headed up by Ali Saleh, originally from Lebanon, and his wife Andrea Saleh — née Yully Andrea Rincon Espada — a Colombian immigrant who previously worked as a television presenter and as an actress in adult films, including under the names Selena Spice and Andrea Rincon.
Today, the Royalty Family ranks as one of the most-watched family channels worldwide, with more than 17 million subscribers and nearly four billion lifetime views. Known for their comedic gags, challenges and over-the-top antics, they have quickly amassed a substantial net worth and scored lucrative brand deals with the likes of L’Oreal and Google Pixel. Naturally, that success has won them devoted fans and some harsh critics; in recent weeks, the negative remarks have become so widespread that the family disabled comments on nearly all their recent videos, which routinely rack up more than two million views apiece.
The Royalty Family recently moved into a nearly 7,000-square-foot mansion in Bell Canyon, a guard-gated community deep in the San Fernando Valley; records reveal the Salehs paid $5.3 million for the one-acre spread in an off-market deal, a big number for the area.
Built new in 2019, the house was last sold that same year for $4.2 million to a local TV news anchor and her businessman husband. Boxy and very white, the contemporary structure is boxy and boasts an open floorplan, with clean lines and concrete floors throughout. There are seven bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, two living rooms and an eat-in chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, plus walls of glass that spill out to a grassy backyard.
By far the hilltop property’s best attribute are its views, which sweep over a huge swath of the San Fernando Valley. An infinity-edged swimming pool ups the visual ante even further, as do the outdoor fire features. Also out back lies a full outdoor kitchen / barbecue center, and the house boasts an upstairs balcony with more panoramic vistas. Our front, there’s an attached four-car garage and motorcourt parking for another ten cars.
Though it’s still not nearly as prestigious as nearby Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon’s prices and desirability have steadily increased over the years, as have the number of celebrity residents. Today, other current Bell Canyon homeowners include Joe Rogan, Lil Uzi Vert, Metro Boomin, Niecy Nash, Chrissy Metz, Trey Songz and Alyssa Milano.
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Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS -
Image Credit: via MLS