If you’ve spent more than five minutes on YouTube in the last few years, you probably know King Ferran. He’s the face of The Royalty Family, one of the biggest vlogging empires on the planet. But for a long time, there was this massive elephant in the room. Who is King Ferran real dad?
It's a question that basically set the internet on fire.
Fans watched Ali Saleh (known as 4k Papi) raise Ferran like his own. They saw the bond, the jokes, and the "dad" energy. But then the truth came out in a series of emotional videos and some pretty messy internet drama. Honestly, the reality is way more complicated than just a name on a birth certificate. It involves international moves, a past life in Colombia, and a guy named Pierre.
The Mystery of the Biological Father
For years, many viewers just assumed Ali was the biological father. They look alike in that "family vibe" sort of way. However, back in 2021, the family finally sat down to address the rumors. Ali explicitly stated, "I am not his biological dad." It was a huge moment for the channel.
So, who is he?
The man is Pierre Lepine. He’s a photographer, and he was Andrea Espada’s first husband.
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Ferran’s full name is actually Ferran Lepine Rincón. He was born in 2010, long before the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles vlogging. At the time, Andrea and Pierre were living their lives, but things didn't exactly have a fairy-tale ending. By the time Ferran was about three years old, Andrea made the massive decision to move from Colombia to the United States to start over.
Why Pierre stayed behind
Life isn't a sitcom. When Andrea moved to the U.S., Pierre didn't come with. This created a huge physical and emotional gap. While Andrea worked her way up as a UFC host and eventually a social media mogul, Ferran grew up mostly away from his biological father.
According to various reports and social media "tea" channels, Pierre hasn't always been quiet about the situation. He’s made claims that the "perfect" image of the Royalty Family is a bit of a facade. He even alleged that Andrea and Ali's meeting wasn't the cute "restaurant story" they told fans, but that they actually met at a gym.
Does it matter? Maybe not to the fans who love them, but it shows there’s a lot of friction behind the scenes.
Enter Ali Saleh: The Dad Who Stepped Up
You can't talk about King Ferran real dad without talking about Ali. In the eyes of most fans, Ali is the dad. He’s been there for the school runs, the gaming videos, and the big milestones.
He met Andrea when Ferran was just a toddler.
Imagine being three years old and moving to a new country. That's scary. Ali became the stable father figure in Ferran's life during that transition. They even co-run the Royalty Gaming channel together. If you watch them interact, it doesn’t feel forced. It feels like a genuine father-son relationship, even if the genetics aren't there.
- Bonding: They share a love for sneakers and gaming.
- Support: Ali has legally and emotionally supported Ferran since the beginning of their YouTube journey.
- Family Growth: Since Ali and Andrea got together, they’ve added Milan and Blu to the mix, making Ferran a big brother.
The Viral "Meeting My Real Dad" Content
In late 2024 and heading into 2025, the "real dad" topic peaked again. YouTube is a business, and sometimes personal trauma becomes a thumbnail. There were videos titled things like "Ferran Meets His REAL Dad For FIRST TIME EVER!"
These videos are... heavy.
They often involve a lot of tears and "serious talks." Some critics, like The Dad Challenge Podcast, have slammed the family for "exploiting" Ferran’s relationship with Pierre for views. It’s a valid point. When you’re a kid and your biological father is basically a stranger who occasionally pops up in legal threats or dramatic YouTube uploads, it’s gotta be tough.
But Ferran seems to handle it with a level of maturity that’s honestly kind of shocking for a teenager. He’s grown up in front of a camera. He knows how the game works.
Navigating the 2026 Family Dynamic
As of 2026, the situation seems to have settled into a "new normal." Ferran is a teenager now. He’s not that little kid in the oversized hats anymore. He’s making his own decisions about who he wants to spend time with.
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Pierre is still in the picture in a distant, legalistic sort of way. Ali is still the guy in the house.
One thing that gets lost in the "who is the real dad" search is the fact that Ferran has two men in his life who claim the title in different ways. One gave him his name and his DNA. The other gave him his daily life and his career.
What you should keep in mind:
- DNA vs. Presence: Pierre is the biological father, but Ali is the primary parental figure.
- Legal Names: Ferran still carries the Lepine name, which is a permanent link to his biological roots.
- The "Royalty" Brand: The family is a business. Take every "emotional reveal" with a grain of salt, as they are edited for maximum engagement.
The internet loves a mystery, but for Ferran, this is just his life. It’s messy, it’s public, and it’s definitely not a simple "yes or no" answer.
If you’re following this story, the best thing you can do is look past the clickbait thumbnails. Pay attention to the actual interviews where Andrea and Ali talk about the struggles of being a blended family. It's not all Gucci and prank videos. There are real lawyers, real custody discussions, and real feelings involved.
Check out the family's older "Truth Revealed" videos if you want the raw, unedited (well, mostly unedited) version of how Ali and Ferran first bonded. It gives a lot of context that the 30-second TikTok clips leave out.