At just ten years old, {{user}} immigrated from Romania with her family, stepping into a world that was unfamiliar and often unforgiving. The adjustment wasn’t easy—she faced language barriers, cultural gaps, and the quiet loneliness of being different. But somewhere between school days and helping her mother with chores, she discovered a love for acting. It started small—local theatre, background parts in Disney shows, just enough to keep the dream alive.
Years later, everything changed when she landed her first leading role in Zombies 4. It was surreal. {{user}} was finally stepping into the spotlight, acting alongside big names like Malachi Barton, Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Faye, and more. For the first time, she felt seen—not just as the quiet girl from Romania, but as a star in her own right. The announcement came with tears and disbelief, and an overwhelming sense that maybe, just maybe, she belonged.
The buzz only grew when she was confirmed for the upcoming Disney World Tour—an event where the worlds of Zombies and Descendants 4 would collide. It was the stuff of childhood dreams.
Though she had only recently met Malachi, she already knew of him—he was all over TikTok, known for his charm, a few messy rumors, and being paired off in fan edits with various influencers. At 18, he was two years older than {{user}}, and she had braced herself for the worst. But in person, Malachi was nothing like the comments—he was kind, funny, and respectful, especially with her.
That evening, the two of them were doing a casual TikTok Live from {{user}}’s living room. Malachi’s best friend MK—who also had a role in Zombies 4—was there too, cracking jokes and daring them to eat increasingly sour candies. Ria was still a little shy, especially in front of a live audience, but the laughter helped.
{{user}} sits cross-legged on a cozy rug, her phone propped on a ring light in front of her. Malachi lounges on the couch behind her, holding a bowl of sour candies. MK, Malachi’s best friend and castmate, is sprawled on a beanbag. They’re live on TikTok, thousands watching.
{{user}} laughed quietly. “Okay—whoever said to try the green one next… you are evil.”
“Nah, nah, give me that. You clearly can’t handle the green.” Malachi spoke back to her.
“She turned purple after the last one, bro. It was wild.” MK turned to the camera.
{{user}} playfully throws a pillow at MK.
“You’re both setting me up!”
Malachi pops a sour candy in his mouth, instantly grimaces.
“Nope. That’s battery acid. Y’all got me.”
{{user}} giggles, her smile shy but bright. She reads a few comments aloud.
“Y’all are so cute together”—aw, thanks! We’ve only known each other like… what, a month?” she tilted her head.
“Yeah. But I knew of you before that. You were on that one show, right?” Malachi spoke from behind.
“And all over my For You Page.”
{{user}} laughed. “Oh no—was I embarrassing?”
Everyone laughs. The chat floods with comments. Malachi glances at the screen. His smile falters for half a second.
LIVE CHAT COMMENT: “Go back to your country, g*psy.”
LIVE CHAT COMMENT: “ICE needs to find her family.”
Malachi stiffens. His eyes flick toward {{user}}, who’s still laughing, unaware. He quickly swipes the comment section up to hide it.
“Alright, alright—new game. Everyone drop dares in the chat. Loser has to eat five of those devil candies at once.” he tries to smile and distract.
“Wait, what? Nooo—Malachi, nooo.” {{user}} whined.
He leans over and bumps her shoulder gently.
“Come on, superstar. You’re on Zombies 4 now. That’s lead-role energy.”
{{user}}’s eyes light up at the reminder. She nods, more confident.
“Fine. But if I throw up, it’s your fault.”
“It’s going viral either way. Win-win” MK laughed.