Porn star Lukas Ridgeston leaves his native Eastern Europe for appearances at South Beach.
Lukas Ridgeston (no, not the given name for this Slovakian morsel) burst on the gay-erotica scene in 1993 with a video called Tender Strangers produced by Bel Ami, a studio that specializes in fresh-faced Eastern European lads. In an adult version of Lana Turner being picked out at the drugstore, Ridgeston had been discovered by a porn scout while lounging on the beach in his native country (which at the time was Czechoslovakia, for those geography sticklers). Blessed with attributes that include a sweet face and impressive stamina, the then-19-year-old quickly became a star, particularly in a series of self-titled flicks: Lukas’ Story, Lukas’ Story II: When Boy Meets Boy, Lucky Lukas, and Lukas In Love.
Ridgeston made his most recent movie in 2005. One of the few porn stars to make the leap into more mainstream pop culture, he was one of the adult performers photographed by fashion lensman Timothy Greenfield-Sanders for his 2004 picture book XXX: 30 Porn-Star Portraits and the accompanying HBO documentary Thinking XXX. Ridgeston even appeared nude on the back cover of the book (see ReadOut November 2004 OutSmart).
As XXX revealed even to those who don’t consume porn, the dewy Euro twink bloomed into a sturdy, handsome man. This month, he makes his first public appearance in Houston with reveals on three nights at South Beach. Ridgeston will participate in autograph sessions and photo shoots on August 17, 18, and 19 followed by live appearances at midnight. The diva Kofi may even pull him on stage during her new Sunday-night drag show. Fans who fork over $100 can attend a VIP party each night (a limited number of tickets go on sale at South Beach on August 1). Details: 713/521-0107, www.southbeachthenightclub.com.
Prior to a Florida stop on his current U.S. tour, Ridgeston gave an interview to the Fort Lauderdale website Mark’s List (www.jumponmarkslist.com). The now 33-year-old star, who earned a college degree in architecture, disclosed that he now works behind the camera for Bel Ami (somehow, it’s heartwarming to know that life goes on after porn).
He declined to identify as gay, straight, or bi. “I always say I am sexual,” he feinted. And he left fans with this adage: “Be good to people, make love, smile, and enjoy sex.”
Who among us would disagree with such wholesome sentiments? — Tim Brookover
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