Riley Reid, a well-known name in the adult film industry, recently opened up about the challenges her career brought to her dating life before she met her husband, Pasha Petkuns.
Reid, whose real name is Ashley Matthews, reflected on how her fame often created barriers to forming genuine relationships.
Dating Challenges in the Spotlight
In a 2021 interview on What They Don’t Tell You With Jordyn Jones, Reid explained that her career often overshadowed her personal identity.
“People have this persona of you,” she said. “It’s hard to meet someone who didn’t know who I was. They met me first in their mind as Riley.”
She shared that many men struggled to separate her work from who she was as a person. Some even avoided introducing her to their families, which left her feeling disheartened.
A Career Change for Love
Reid revealed that she made a significant decision to step back from her career before meeting Petkuns.
“I didn’t retire, but I stopped shooting boy-girl porn over a year before I met him,” she said. “I made that choice because I was lonely and wanted love and affection.”
She added that previous relationships often came with ultimatums, forcing her to choose between her career and the relationship.
However, Reid stood firm, saying, “I never wanted to quit my job for someone. I always wanted to quit for myself.”
Finding Love with Pasha Petkuns
Reid married Pasha Petkuns in 2021, and they welcomed a daughter the following year. She described her husband as open-minded and non-judgmental, qualities she values deeply. “There’s no animosity or drama towards my job,” she said.
Petkuns even visited one of her sets during a girl-girl scene and found the experience far less glamorous than he expected. Reid explained, “Being on set is not very sexy—it’s kind of boring and clinical.”
A Balanced Life
Reflecting on her journey, Reid expressed gratitude for waiting until she was ready for love. “I feel fortunate that I waited until I was older and ready for love. I didn’t throw away my career at 24 to be in a relationship,” she said.
Reid’s story highlights the complexities of balancing a public career with personal relationships. Now, with a supportive partner and a family, she has found the love and stability she once struggled to achieve.
