It’s rare to find someone who moves through the world with the easy-going charisma and sharp focus of Liam Riley. Whether he’s choreographing a scene or co-hosting the wildly successful podcast “Pillow Talk With Ryan,” he brings a magnetic energy that’s impossible to ignore. He’s part witty best friend, part savvy businessman, and fully in control of his narrative.
Talking to him feels like catching up with an old friend who just happens to be building a media empire. And as he’ll tell you himself, this wasn’t an accident.
“I manifested this. When you’re in a good space, it’s like everything you wanted just starts happening. So I’m like, ‘Let me just be present right now.’”
A Different Kind of Crowd-Pleaser
Long before he was a household name in adult entertainment, Liam was already capturing an audience. Back in 2013, he was a competitive cheerleader, and one of the first guys to go viral for his high-flying stunts and tumbling routines. He was building a following before “influencer” was even a job title.
“My friends and I were constantly throwing each other up, just for fun,” he explains. “And I’m petite, so I’d always be the one getting tossed in the air. Being one of the first boys doing that online definitely helped my following grow.”
That fearlessness eventually led him from the cheer mat to the adult industry after a fateful DM on Twitter. True to his nature, he went all-in, signing an exclusive contract with Helix Studios and dedicating himself to learning the craft from the ground up.
The Plan and the Vibe
A decade into his career, Liam’s secret sauce is a blend of discipline and intuition. He credits his background in dance and cheer—and the gay coaches who mentored him—for his confidence and meticulous approach.
“I’m a little OCD, so I like having a structured plan,” he admits. “But energy and connection matter just as much. I always leave room for that.”
That philosophy is what makes his work, and especially his presence on “Pillow Talk,” so compelling. It’s polished without feeling fake, and spontaneous without being chaotic.
“They’d say how you look is how you feel, how you carry yourself in the world matters. That stayed with me.”
From Assistant to Airwaves Star
Liam’s journey to podcasting fame wasn’t a straight line. It was a series of serendipitous moments built on real friendships. After working as a celebrity assistant for drag royalty on shows like HBO’s “We’re Here,” he took a much-needed break. That is, until his bestie Abella Danger needed an assistant.
“I flew to Miami, and then I just… stayed,” he says. “For two years.”
After returning to L.A., a pool party introduction via his friend Keiran Lee connected him with comedian Ryan Pownall, the creator of “Pillow Talk.” The rest is podcasting history.
“I don’t think we realized at first how well our personalities would mesh,” Liam reflects. “Ryan was new to the adult space, and I had all these existing relationships. It just worked.”
It more than worked. As COO, Liam has helped transform “Pillow Talk” into an industry powerhouse, winning awards and drawing in millions of viewers who love the show’s authentic, non-judgmental vibe. Fans on social media consistently praise the duo’s chemistry and the show’s power to humanize performers.
“We’re not here to trap people or get scandalous. We just want people to tell their stories. There’s room for everyone at the table.”
This approach has led many to call the podcast the “new Playboy,” a comparison Liam embraces. It speaks to a larger industry shift where creators are building their own media platforms, fostering direct connections with fans and moving beyond legacy brands.
Manifesting What’s Next
Despite his packed schedule, Liam is a self-proclaimed homebody who recently found peace living alone for the first time. “It’s been a game-changer,” he says, finding joy in simple routines like keeping fresh flowers and steam-pressing his laundry.
But he’s always looking forward. His vision for the “Pillow Talk” brand is expansive, including a men’s luxury lifestyle platform and a gay-focused version of the podcast hosted by him. He also set his sights on a personal goal: winning the XMA for Brand Ambassador of the Year. While the most recent award went to a different creator, setting such a public goal showcases his ambition and drive to represent the brand he’s helped build.
For Liam, life is a performance, and he’s crafting it with the precision of a choreographer. He sees his journey as a dance number, and right now, he’s hitting a breathtaking crescendo.
“As a performer, you start slow and dramatic, build to a surprise moment in the middle and then end with this big emotional climax… Right now, I feel like I’m just about to hit the peak. It’s getting good — but it hasn’t quite gotten great yet. I want to live in this moment before it takes off even more.”
* Photo from xbiz.com
