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Then, Paradise City came along. De Matteo’s agents were not behind this project, but still, she was very curious about the show, especially given her own connection to the music world. “I was more intrigued about who Ash Avildsen was because I couldn’t believe there was this young guy who was like, ‘I’m going to make my own T.V. show,’” says De Matteo. “It wasn’t a huge money grab. I was interested in him. I was curious, how anybody could have the balls to think that they could do all of this. So, I showed up to watch and observe. And it was the best time ever. How we all [the cast] came together, having faith in this guy that none of us had a clue about, was crazy. All of a sudden, he ends up with a cast of influencers, rock stars, actors, Disney stars —we’re a mish-mosh; it doesn’t make any sense, but somehow it makes sense.” Paradise City also stars Bella Thorne, Olivia Culpo, the late Cameron Boyce, and Andy Biersack. After speaking to Avildsen and reviewing two roles, De Matteo pursued the character Maya, who, to her, felt like a continuation of Adriana. “What if Adriana would have lived and become the music manager she always wanted to become? Well, instead of becoming a music manager, she becomes a booker. Adriana could have become Maya.” De Matteo had found herself playing the same role over and over again, the role of a victim, and while she loved doing that, Maya gave her a taste of something new. “This character, there was no room for that. She is the grand protector, making things happen, tough as nails, no BS. I never really get to play that very often. So, I’m not playing a broken character.” Maya is a little bit of a mystery in the beginning, but as the show evolves, viewers get to know her better. This past year, De Matteo has been fortunate to be home in California with her loved ones, doing what she loves: television and working season after season. “I feel guilty saying this, but we were really blessed here. We all look back on it with very strange nostalgia. Throughout all of this madness, we felt very safe and secure and connected, and we created a ton of art while we were here. We had a little community.” Sounds like De Matteo has found her home, her Paradise City… “where the grass is green and the girls are pretty....” Season 1 of Paradise City is now available on Amazon Prime Video.