Riley Reid has spoken about the emotional impact her career had on past relationships. She said one former boyfriend made her feel ashamed and “disgusting” because of her work, which caused deep emotional pain.
She explained that her ex did not accept her job and even refused affection after she returned home from work. This behavior made her doubt herself and briefly consider quitting, not because she disliked her career, but because she felt judged and rejected by someone she trusted.
Riley has said this was not an isolated experience. In previous relationships, she was often given an ultimatum: her career or the relationship. These situations left her questioning whether she was making the right choices and struggling with feelings of guilt and uncertainty.
Over time, she came to understand that the real issue was not her work, but being with partners who could not respect her decisions or identity. That realization helped her move forward and set clearer boundaries in her personal life.
She later found stability and acceptance with her husband, Pasha Petkuns. Now married and raising a young daughter, Riley says she feels supported, valued, and at peace, something she lacked in earlier relationships.