I caught up with Ricky Donovan for a behind-the-scenes look at his online life. He performs with his husband, Johnny Donovan.
The origin story
“My career in porn began after Johnny and I were wrongfully persecuted by the police…” explains Ricky, when I ask how he got started in the industry. “They charged me with three felonies and Johnny with two, because I looked like someone they heard might have ‘kind of pushed a girl, and punched her boyfriend’ at a pizza parlour.”
“We didn’t qualify for public defenders, so we knew it would take a large amount of money to hire the appropriate representation. Our friend Luke Adams hooked us up with the MindGeek recruiting team, and they placed us with Sean Cody.”
“We figured it would be a one and done deal, but we both enjoyed the professionalism on set and the money was too good to be true.”
“It definitely makes it easier having a partner in the industry – we can bounce ideas off of each other, and we always know we have each other’s back. It’s also made our own relationship much easier to navigate. I that think being able to see sex from a professional stand-point – and separate the visceral lust of our relationship – helps us to protect our spiritual connection.”
“We have had to set boundaries in our relationship that differ from our work boundaries, but that just means double the communication of an open relationship – which already requires a lot more communication than a monogamous relationship.”
“We have our ups and downs, like any couple, but we’re getting pretty good at keeping the ups and downs from affecting our work life.”
Heroes and inspirations
“Armond Rizzo, François Segat, Pheonix Fellington, Boomer Banks, and Rhyheim Shabaz…” lists off Ricky, when I ask him who some of his role-models are in the industry.
“It’s cool to see all these men of color doing great things with their platforms – pushing boundaries for the next generation of men of color who are growing up to see themselves as sex gods.”
“Most of these men are also proud versatile performers, so there are lots of ways they each inspire me on my path in the industry.”
The business of gay porn
“I am loving the fan-subscription channels…” confirms Ricky, when I ask him about the entrepreneurial side of the business. “It’s all so new for the industry, and I think that there’s a lot to be gained when a new medium enters the entertainment industry.”
“A down-side that we’ve found is that there isn’t a lot of tried and tested information on how to create the best fan-subscription channel for our subscribers.”
“When Johnny and I decided to go into this side of the adult entertainment industry together, we looked at our strengths and weaknesses – we wanted to divide and conquer. Fan engagement has always been my thing – I’m an IG and Snap-aholic. I honestly have so much fun doing the market-research with our fans. I’m all about getting to know the fans to shape our content around what they came to see.”
The underwear
“For day-to-day use, I love a light and airy boxer brief…” says Ricky, when our conversation inevitably turns to underwear.
“Specifically, I have a drawer full of YOCISCO basics as my go-to for day-to-day and gym wear. Cisco Yocisco is a fashion inspiration of mine from Denver who uses mostly bamboo – it’s an all biodegradable material that feels amazing on my skin. I like YOCISCO’s structured medium briefs for a sweaty workout.”
“All I want to see on other men – anywhere, any time of day – is a slutty thong.”
Planning ahead
“Where do I start?” says Ricky, when I ask him what’s on his agenda for the months ahead.
“Right now, I’m teaching myself to sew – it’s a short term goal to my bigger ambition of constructing an entire original garment from my own ideas.”
“On a deeper level, I’m on a journey of introspection right now, sparked by the realization that in order to take on this wild path ahead, I’ll need to cultivate stronger mental and emotional health. I’ve begun working with Pineapple Support to speak with a counsellor to get past some of the insecurities and past traumas that have been presenting themselves as barriers to success or happiness through my late twenties.”
“In my partnership, Johnny and I are currently in a truck moving everything we own from Idaho to Las Vegas – mostly for industry convenience. We’re still looking for a place to live, but in the next few months we hope to be settled and confidently laying out the groundwork for the next chapter of our life in a new city together.”
“We’re hoping for genuine friends and lots of adventure!”
Follow Ricky Donovan on Twitter
Follow Ricky Donovan on OnlyFans
He’s hot, his husband is more my type.
No thanks – I’ll pass
I think I’ve been lead to believe porn doesn’t pay all that well. Yet he says the money was too good to be true. Wonder what the truth is there?
Hot men
They’re both hot but too young for me.
would not refuse
Johnny is dam hot.
Can I bottom for Ricky?
I think I wanna be spit roasted between them both, they can switch ends too. Have a buddy with them, lemme have him too
That seems reasonable, VersatileDC. In an uncertain world, we’ve all got to work together. Gareth.
Ricky is so hot! I would love to worship him!
Oh fuck yeah!
damn I haven’t seen brows like that since Joan Crawford died. “But ya are Blanche, ya are!”
After the stupidity of the first paragraph I stopped reading