Olivia Ponton has built a career in front of the camera—but in 2025, she’s proving that some of her most powerful storytelling happens off-screen.
When Celeb Secrets caught up with the model and content creator earlier this month in New York City, Ponton was riding a creative high fueled by her newest venture: Booked & Busy, a podcast born from her genuine love of reading, emotional storytelling, and thoughtful conversation.
“For once in my life, I’m actually focusing on just one thing,” Ponton shared with us. “And that’s Booked & Busy.”
What started as a personal outlet has quickly turned into a growing community of fellow book lovers who tune in for Ponton’s unfiltered takes on the novels that truly move her.
“I just wanted to build a community where I could talk about all things books,” she explained. “Because quite honestly, my friends were getting really tired of listening to me talk about books.”
Each episode dives deep into the stories that leave a lasting impact — emotionally charged reads, unexpected twists, and characters that linger long after the final page.
“It’s about the books that make me bawl my eyes out,” she said. “The ones that really stay with you.”
Even the name felt destined.
“I had like 10 to 15 names, and Booked & Busy just made sense,” Ponton added. “I feel like I can eventually bring in other aspects of my life, but right now, it’s about the books.”
This week, Ponton leaned fully into her thriller era. On December 21, the 23-year-old declared her newest “book obsession” to Instagram, posting sun-soaked snaps of herself holding Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid to her 2.8 million followers.
“My book obsession rn,” she wrote, perfectly timed just days after the novel’s film adaptation hit theaters on December 19.
The movie, starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, and Michele Morrone, has already ignited major buzz — but if fans wanted Ponton’s full thoughts on the book, she made sure they knew exactly where to find them.
That same day, she dropped the latest episode of Booked & Busy, dedicating the nearly 17-minute installment entirely to The Housemaid. The episode marks the fourth in the series, following previous deep dives into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, The Selection series by Kiera Cass, and Lightlark and Summer in the City by Alex Aster.
“Today, we’re stepping into the world of The Housemaid by Freida McFadden,” Ponton told listeners at the start of the episode. “Talk about a book that had its claws stuck into me.”
She didn’t hold back when describing why the psychological thriller hit so hard.
“It’s definitely a psychological thriller,” she said. “There are a lot of interesting power dynamics — which we love to talk about on this show — and transparently, this book had me questioning if I should be scared in my own home.”
In other words: not exactly a breezy beach read — but perfect if you’re ready to be glued to your seat. Ponton’s excitement mirrors the reaction of the film’s lead, Sydney Sweeney, who recently said she “could not put the book down.”
With each episode, Ponton is carving out a space where BookTok energy meets long-form conversation—bringing her audience along for every gasp-worthy plot twist.
Beyond books, Booked & Busy has also allowed Ponton to show a side of herself that doesn’t always get spotlighted online.
“I feel like when people look at me, they might just think, ‘Oh, she’s a New York City girl who travels around,’” she said. “There are a lot of negative misconceptions.”
Through the podcast, she’s reclaiming her narrative — sharing her love of storytelling while building something that feels intentional and personal. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand the guest list beyond authors to include screenwriters, especially those adapting books for film.
“I really want to start tapping into book adaptation movies,” she teased.
@iamoliviaponton tbt to reading this in Mallorca over the summer🪽I posted my thoughts of it on yt📘
When asked what achievement she’d award herself for this year, Ponton’s answer was refreshingly honest.
“For focusing on one thing,” she said. “I’m really not good at that. So I’m proud of myself for being able to hone in on something I care about.”
That same mindset extends to her continued work with Victoria’s Secret, a partnership she’s been nurturing since her early twenties.
“I love them,” she shared. “They’re an incredible team to be a part of, and I’m manifesting that for this year.”
@iamoliviaponton Spent the morning with @Raising Cane’s at their annual Bike Giveaway in Times Square, where they’re donating 4,500 bikes to kids nationwide this holiday season ❤️🚲 #CaniacAmbassador
While Booked & Busy remains her main focus, Ponton recently stepped out to spread some holiday magic during Raising Cane’s Annual Holiday Bike Giveaway in Times Square on December 3.
Joining Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves and A Christmas Story star Peter Billingsley, Ponton helped celebrate the donation of 500 brand-new bikes to kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem — part of the brand’s nationwide holiday initiative that gifts more than 4,000 bikes to youth organizations each year.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Ponton told us at the event. “Todd is a dear friend, and I think the event is adorable with all the Boys & Girls Clubs that are here.”
With leg lamps, Santa sightings, Chicken Fingers, and a whole lot of joy, the moment served as a fitting close to a year that’s been both busy and deeply intentional.
As Olivia Ponton turns the page on what’s next, one thing is clear: she’s no longer juggling everything. She’s fully committed to the stories that matter most, and right now, she’s exactly where she wants to be: Booked & Busy.
For more on Olivia, make sure to watch our full interview below, and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving the podcast by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
