We never thought we’d see the day when a top porn star would willingly walk away from a successful career, but that’s exactly what Riley Price is doing. Today he officially announced his upcoming retirement from adult performance. Although Riley’s fans will undoubtedly be sad to see him go, they can take solace in the fact that he’ll be even more active behind the camera as he directs and manages his website, Riley Priceless. Before retiring, Riley will perform in three more scenes. We recently had a chance to ask Riley a few questions about his retirement, and here’s what he had to say.
Why did you decide to retire from performing?
This has been a long time coming. I’ll still be doing LIVE shows. It’s just that performing with other models will cease. I need to focus on producing. I think I have proven myself as a performer. I’m ready for the next chapter and a new challenge. I want to be the best producer in gay porn. I can be it, too – but I’ve come to the realization that I can’t spread myself so thin. I care about the big picture now. This isn’t about Riley Price anymore, it’s about the life of a company. The Riley Priceless site is like my child. And it’s gotten to the point where I just want more. Performing feels old to me. It’s time to change the direction of my life. This is just a case of my heart, soul, and body all saying, “You’ve done porn performance. Now let’s try something different. It’s time to move on.”
Do you think fans will be disappointed if they subscribe to your official site hoping to see regular updates of you?
They can get it from LIVE shows. I’m gonna make three more scenes of myself performing. The release dates for those three scenes will be announced later and will be a surprise. My fans are very understanding. Most of their messages comment on how they like me as a person more than a performer. I wanna give back and present a new site where I’m delivering fresh content. I won’t rest until I fulfill that goal. I think they’ll be happy to know that I wanna resume a more normal life while still being there in front of the cameras doing live shows. My fans mean the world to me. I love to make them happy, but I need to be happy, too.
What are the last scenes you appear in?
I’m working out a wish list of scene partners for my last three scenes. They will posted be on Riley Priceless. The only other site I’d consider doing one more scene for is Randy Blue, as long as we were on the same page. There is just a lot of history there. I still love him and everybody at that studio, whether or not the feeling is mutual. They gave me the platform to showcase and create what I have today.
It’s important for me to have people watch porn one day and say, “Yeah, he’s good. But he’s no Riley Price…” I’ve earned that. People might think I’m a bit bold for saying that, and that’s fine. But I think it was Madonna who said, “I’m tough, ambitious, and know what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” Madonna has been a huge fire in my heart. I know it sounds queeny and cliche, but it’s the simple truth. Ask anyone that knows me.
Any chance we’ll see a comeback if you end up with a boyfriend who doesn’t mind?
No, cause I’d mind. I have a heavy conscience. Everyone around me knows it. Aside from taking on production full-time, I am doing this because I want to have a boyfriend. A normal one who would care if I was performing with other men. I have been around infidelity. To perform and have a boyfriend – I’m not cool with, unless he was a porn star himself. But I’m not going down that road again. We all know how that one turned out, and that took a lot out of me. I got over it and I’m not doing that again. I wasn’t treated right, and that wasn’t right. That hurt. When I am with someone and I love them, I give them everything. I am as invested in them as they are in me. I have been burned a few times, and I don’t want to do that to anyone myself. I am a fan of loyalty. And as long as I stand, I always will be.
Now, if “Mr. future boyfriend” wants do live shows *with* me, then we might see something… That could be interesting, actually. I wanna produce all day, everyday. I want a dog and I want prince charming. I deserve it, I hope. I’ve never denied myself anything, and I’m not about to start.
However, as it stands today, I’m walking away from performing with my head held high and a smile on my face. I’m bowing out while I’m on top (when is the opposite of what usually happens.) I want people to miss my performances, rather than eventually wishing that I’d just go away. I wanna do what Michael Jordan SHOULD have done the first time. He ended on what was known as “the shot” in the 1998 NBA Finals. When it comes to performing, I will do it in the last scene of the three. I know of ONE guy I would like to do another scene with, and I’ll reach out to him. Whether or not he’s up for it is for him to decide.
Have you received any feedback from the folks who have already heard the news?
Well, they’re just hearing it today, and I’m sure they’ll be very happy. They just want me to be happy. My mother and father helped me to prosper here in this business by not leaving my side. They stuck by me. For a father, a brother, or a christian sister-in-law, it can’t be easy having a family member who is not only a gay porn performer, but also known as one of the biggest power bottoms this industry has ever seen. And to be honest, I’m happiest as a producer.
I need to fully enjoy what I do. I’ve only got one life, and I’m here to be happy. Not to look back one day and say, “I wish…” I’m about saying, “I DID.” I like to follow through as much as I can for others, and today for myself. I want to wake up next to someone who isn’t a “one-night wonder.” And this needs to be put out there… When some guys leave this industry as performers, it’s because they’ve contracted something. I haven’t. I’ll even take a test. So if any blogs want to start speculating, I will shoot them down.
How are you enjoying your new role behind the scenes?
It’s much more relaxing. I work, edit, jog and listen to a lot of music. I’m also not afraid to eat an ice cream cone anymore.
How has your manager, Jason Sechrest, helped with your career?
He’s been the Phil Jackson to my Michael Jordan. He’s helped to improve me. He makes my life better, and he makes feel protected. He calls me and I feel really good. It wasn’t easy to leave where I came from, but Jason really pushed me and took me further. He’s been a friend just as much as a manager. If you wanna be Riley Price – and you can be – just contact Jason. He’s my guy. Riley Price really respects J.
