Austin McBroom is charting a new course.
The YouTube veteran and former ACE Family star has joined BuzzStar, a social media platform designed around direct one-on-one fan interactions, marking a era for the YouTube star.
"Fans want to feel seen, and creators want structure. BuzzStar balances both," said Andy Bachman, the platform’s CEO told The Blast.
McBroom echoed the sentiment.
"Fans have always wanted real interaction, but when creators have millions of followers, access just isn’t realistic," he told The Blast. "BuzzStar solves that with a queue and bidding system that makes sure the people who truly want that moment actually get it."
At its core, BuzzStar lets fans book private video calls with creators.
McBroom described it simply, "Basically FaceTime with your favorite creator." That stripped-down premise is a far cry from the polished vlogs and high-profile spectacles that defined his early career.
The former college basketball player shot to online fame with The ACE Family, a YouTube channel he launched in 2016 with then-wife Catherine Paiz.
After the channel went inactive, McBroom reassessed his next steps.
The announcement of his BuzzStar partnership on January 17 drew thousands of likes on Instagram and sparked renewed interest in his evolving career.
"This isn’t about chasing virality," said Bachman. "It’s about giving creators a sustainable, meaningful way to interact with the people who keep them going."
For McBroom, the move follows a turbulent personal chapter.
His divorce from Paiz, finalized in 2024, played out publicly across interviews, podcasts, and social media.
She later released a memoir, "Dolores," and remarried tattoo artist Igor Ten.
"I’ve had every kind of camera in my face, vlog cams, paparazzi, you name it," he told The Blast.
"For years, it was all about numbers and views. But after everything that’s happened in my personal life, I realized what I missed most wasn’t the fame. It was connection. Real connection. BuzzStar gives me that."