Riley Reid
Riley Reid (born Ashley Mathews; July 9, 1991) is an American adult film actress and content creator who entered the pornography industry in 2011 at age 19, after briefly working as a stripper under the stage name Paige Reid.[1] Born in Miami, Florida, she initially pursued studies in psychology at Florida International University with aspirations of becoming a teacher before transitioning to adult entertainment.[1] Standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall, Reid has been recognized as one of the most popular performers in the industry, notably being voted Pornhub's top star and amassing over 50 awards for her work.[1] Reid's career highlights include starring in hundreds of films and series, with a focus on gonzo and feature-style productions that emphasize her energetic and versatile performances.[2] She achieved significant acclaim early on, winning the XBIZ Award for Female Performer of the Year in 2014 and the AVN Award for Female Performer of the Year in 2016, among other honors such as multiple AVN Awards for Best Actress and Best Oral Sex Scene.[2] In recent years, she has shifted toward producing and directing content, including her own showcase series, while reducing involvement in certain types of scenes to prioritize personal fulfillment; she has ceased performing in boy-girl scenes, citing a desire for genuine emotional connections.[2] Her influence extends to social media and platforms like OnlyFans, where she reportedly earns substantial income, contributing to an estimated net worth of $12 million as of 2023. In 2025, she appeared on the Netflix reality series Selling The OC.[1][3] On a personal level, Reid has been open about the challenges her profession posed for romantic relationships, noting that it often complicated dating due to public perceptions and difficulties in separating her stage persona from her real identity as Ashley.[2] She married Latvian freerunner and influencer Pasha Petkuns (full name Pavel Petkuns, born September 29, 1992) in June 2021, in a private ceremony in Los Angeles, California.[4] The couple welcomed a daughter, Emma, in July 2022, and Petkuns has been supportive of her career, even accompanying her to sets.[4] Reid's accolades culminated in her induction into the XRCO Hall of Fame in 2021 and the AVN Hall of Fame in 2025, cementing her status as a pivotal figure in modern adult entertainment.[5]Early life
Childhood and family
Riley Reid was born Ashley Mathews on July 9, 1991, in Miami, Florida.[6][7][8] She is of mixed Irish, Puerto Rican, and Dominican descent.[8] Reid spent her early childhood in Miami, a city shaped by diverse cultural influences that reflected her multicultural heritage.[9] Public details about her family during this period are limited; she was raised by her parents in what she has described as a conservative household, with sparse information available on siblings or her father's role.[10]Education and early career
Reid attended Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, graduating in 2009.[11] Following high school, she enrolled at Florida International University in Miami, where she studied psychology with aspirations of becoming a teacher.[12][13] However, she dropped out after one year, unable to afford tuition amid ongoing family financial struggles.[1]Entry into adult entertainment
Stripping phase
Following her high school graduation, Riley Reid entered the adult entertainment industry as a stripper in South Florida clubs at the age of 19 in 2010.[14] Reid's primary motivation for stripping was financial necessity, as she sought higher earnings than available in conventional entry-level positions such as fast-food work.[15] She also expressed an initial interest in the performative elements of exotic dancing, viewing it as an opportunity to engage with performance in an adult context.[14] Reid worked in Miami-area strip clubs for about one to two months, where she gradually built confidence in delivering adult-oriented performances despite challenges in the role.[16] Her experiences were marked by difficulties in the commercial aspects of the job; she later recounted earning minimal income—often zero on many nights and a maximum of $80 on her best—due to her sociable personality leading customers to exploit her willingness to converse without paying for dances.[15] Reid described herself as not being a natural "hustler," stating, "I’m not going to beg you for your money," which contributed to her frustration and limited financial success in the clubs.[14]Transition to pornography
After working as a stripper in Florida to fund her education and daily expenses, Riley Reid decided to transition into the adult film industry in late 2010, motivated by the potential for higher earnings and a more structured professional environment compared to stripping.[16] Her stripping experience had provided initial performance skills and exposure to adult entertainment, serving as a stepping stone to filmed content.[17] Reid's first on-camera appearance was filmed in Florida at age 19, where she appeared as an extra in a Bang Bros production, dancing in the background for $300 without performing sex acts due to her menstrual cycle.[16] This marked her entry into on-camera work under her initial stage name Paige Riley. Shortly after, her debut sex scene was captured for Vivid Entertainment's Brand New Faces 36 directed by B. Skow.[18] Shortly after, she signed with Type 9 Modeling agency, which facilitated her relocation to Los Angeles to access greater opportunities in the industry.[16] At 19, Reid faced early challenges adjusting to the demands of on-camera performances and industry norms, including unfamiliar professional protocols like set etiquette and the pressure to escalate from background roles to starring scenes.[17] She later reflected on her initial naivety, such as not knowing basic tools like makeup sponges, while navigating boundaries to ensure comfort during shoots.[17] By 2013, she had switched representation to Mark Spiegler, who helped professionalize her career amid these adjustments.[16]Professional career
Rise to prominence
Following her debut in late 2011, Riley Reid experienced rapid growth in the adult film industry, transitioning from a newcomer with limited bookings to a sought-after performer by 2013. Her first on-screen appearance was in Score's After School Slut Club, marking her entry into heterosexual scenes, after which she quickly secured contracts with major studios like Evil Angel and Girlfriends Films. By 2012, Reid had completed around a dozen scenes, a significant increase from her initial year, reflecting growing demand from directors and producers who appreciated her energetic and approachable style.[19][20] Early in her career, Reid primarily focused on solo and girl-girl genres, which allowed her to build confidence and appeal to a broad audience before expanding into more varied content. Notable early works included solo tease sequences in Elegant Angel's Best New Starlets 2013 and lesbian scenes in Girlfriends Films' Women Seeking Women Vol. 98, where she co-starred with performers like Prinzzess. These projects highlighted her natural charisma and helped establish her as a fresh face in gonzo and feature-style productions, with studios like Mile High and Digital Playground booking her for compilations such as Revenge of the Petites. Her debut experiences under the stage name Paige Riley shaped her signature playful, relatable persona that resonated with viewers.[21][22][23] Reid's fan base expanded steadily through online platforms and industry exposure, leading to her recognition as a breakout talent by 2013. Industry metrics from fan-voted sites placed her in the top 50 most popular performers by the end of 2012, signaling her rising visibility. That year, LA Weekly included her in their list of 10 promising stars poised for major success, praising her potential to become a household name in the genre. This momentum solidified her position as one of the most in-demand new performers heading into the mid-2010s.[24][25]Peak years and notable collaborations
Riley Reid's peak years in the adult entertainment industry spanned from 2014 to 2019, a period marked by prolific output, critical acclaim, and unprecedented visibility as one of the most sought-after performers. During this era, she produced a high volume of content across diverse genres, including gonzo, lesbian, and feature films, solidifying her status as a versatile leading actress. Her work with major studios such as Evil Angel and Girlfriends Films exemplified her range, with Evil Angel featuring her in dynamic, high-energy performances like Spinners (2012), showcasing her in dynamic, high-energy performances.[18] Similarly, her collaborations with Girlfriends Films highlighted her prowess in lesbian cinema, notably in Girl Fever (2013), which won the AVN Award for Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene, and Missing: A Lesbian Crime Story (2016), another AVN winner for Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene that emphasized narrative-driven intimacy.[18][26] Notable collaborations during this time included high-profile scenes with performers like Abella Danger, such as their shared appearance in Slurpy Throatsluts #3 (2016, Banging Beauties), a gonzo oral-focused release directed by Mike Adriano that underscored Reid's ability to pair with rising stars for intense, chemistry-driven encounters. With directors like Jules Jordan, Reid starred in standout projects including Ultimate Fuck Toy: Riley Reid (2012), a showcase of her anal expertise, Mandingo Massacre 6 (2012), which earned her the AVN Award for Best Boy/Girl Sex Scene, and the Being Riley series (2015, Tushy/Jules Jordan Video), which garnered multiple AVN Awards for Best Anal Sex Scene, Best Double Penetration Sex Scene, and Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene, establishing her as a marquee talent in premium gonzo productions.[27][28] These partnerships elevated her booking power, leading to leading roles in series that blended hardcore elements with her charismatic on-screen presence. Reid's achievements in this period were capped by major industry honors, including the XBIZ Award for Female Performer of the Year in 2014—the first performer to win both Best New Starlet (2013) and this top honor consecutively—and the AVN Female Performer of the Year in 2016, reflecting her peak influence and fan appeal. She also took on prominent roles in parodies, such as Grease XXX: A Parody (2014, Adam & Eve), where she earned the AVN Award for Best Supporting Actress and contributed to the film's win for Best Parody – Comedy, demonstrating her appeal in feature-length narratives. This era saw Reid's visibility soar through cover features and widespread distribution, positioning her as a benchmark for success in the industry with over 300 credits by 2019, though exact earnings figures remain private, her award dominance and project volume indicated substantial financial peaks.[29][18][30]Later developments and diversification
In the early 2020s, Reid significantly reduced her involvement in boy-girl scenes, a decision driven by personal motivations including a desire for companionship and a committed relationship amid feelings of loneliness.[31] This shift marked the beginning of a semi-retirement from traditional adult film production, allowing her to prioritize self-produced content and online platforms while maintaining creative control.[32] A key aspect of this evolution was her launch of an OnlyFans account in 2020, which quickly became a major revenue stream generating six-figure monthly income through exclusive photos, videos, and fan interactions.[33] The platform enabled her to diversify beyond studio work, fostering direct engagement with audiences and supporting entrepreneurial ventures like merchandise and content curation for other creators. By 2025, Reid announced ambitions to pursue voice acting in TV animation and stand-up comedy, aiming to transition out of adult entertainment on her own terms before advancing age potentially limited opportunities.[34] Later that year, she made a partial return to feature films with an all-girl threesome scene in Dorcel's Strip, emphasizing alternative content formats such as solo performances and female-only collaborations over heterosexual scenes.[35] In November 2025, Reid appeared on the reality TV series Selling The OC, further expanding her presence in mainstream media.[36] This selective re-engagement underscored her focus on sustainable, boundary-respecting projects aligned with her evolving personal and professional priorities.Awards and recognition
Major industry awards
Riley Reid has garnered numerous accolades from leading organizations in the adult entertainment industry, particularly from the AVN Awards and XBIZ Awards, recognizing her performances, versatility, and overall impact. These wins underscore her rapid ascent following her entry into pornography in 2010, establishing her as one of the most awarded performers of her generation. By 2025, she had accumulated over 50 industry awards in total, with a significant portion from AVN, highlighting her sustained excellence in both scene-specific and performer-of-the-year categories.[37] In 2013, Reid won the XBIZ Award for Best New Starlet, an honor that spotlighted her as a breakout talent in her early career, just two years after her debut. This victory marked her as a promising newcomer capable of captivating audiences with her energetic and authentic on-screen presence. The following year, at the 2014 XBIZ Awards, she achieved a historic milestone by winning Female Performer of the Year—the first performer to claim both Best New Starlet and this top honor consecutively—affirming her transition from novice to industry leader. Additionally, she secured XBIZ awards for Best Supporting Actress in The XXX-Files: An Parody and Best Actress in a Parody Release for Grease XXX: A Parody, demonstrating her range in narrative-driven roles that blended acting with eroticism.[38][39][29] Reid's AVN achievements further solidified her status, beginning with three scene wins in 2014: Best Boy/Girl Sex Scene for Mandingo Massacre 6, Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene for Girl Fever, and Best Three-Way Sex Scene (G/G/B) for Remy 2. Her pinnacle came in 2016 with the AVN Female Performer of the Year award, accompanied by five additional wins, including Best Anal Sex Scene, Best Double Penetration Sex Scene, and Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene—all from Being Riley—as well as two fan-voted honors for Favorite Female Porn Star and Social Media Star. These accolades emphasized her technical prowess and fan appeal, contributing to a record seven AVN wins that year. Subsequent AVN victories included Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene in 2017 for Missing: A Lesbian Crime Story, two in 2020 for I Am Riley (Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene and Best Double Penetration Sex Scene), and Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene in 2021 for Paranormal, bringing her AVN total to at least 13 by that point. The significance of these awards lies in their role in elevating Reid's career, from scene excellence to overarching recognition of her influence on contemporary adult content. She was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame (Video Branch) in 2025.[18][40][40][5]| Year | Organization | Category | Work (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | XBIZ | Best New Starlet | N/A |
| 2014 | XBIZ | Female Performer of the Year | N/A |
| 2014 | XBIZ | Best Supporting Actress | The XXX-Files: An Parody |
| 2014 | XBIZ | Best Actress - Parody Release | Grease XXX: A Parody |
| 2014 | AVN | Best Boy/Girl Sex Scene | Mandingo Massacre 6 |
| 2014 | AVN | Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene | Girl Fever |
| 2014 | AVN | Best Three-Way Sex Scene (G/G/B) | Remy 2 |
| 2016 | AVN | Female Performer of the Year | N/A |
| 2016 | AVN | Best Anal Sex Scene | Being Riley |
| 2016 | AVN | Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | Being Riley |
| 2016 | AVN | Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene | Being Riley |
| 2016 | AVN | Fan Award: Favorite Female Porn Star | N/A |
| 2016 | AVN | Fan Award: Social Media Star | N/A |
| 2017 | AVN | Best Girl/Girl Sex Scene | Missing: A Lesbian Crime Story |
| 2020 | AVN | Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene | I Am Riley |
| 2020 | AVN | Best Double Penetration Sex Scene | I Am Riley |
| 2021 | AVN | Best All-Girl Group Sex Scene | Paranormal |