YNOT Interview – Keli Richards – A Lesson in Perseverance & Strength

A shining star in the period between 1984-1987, Keli worked with some of the biggest names in porn including Nina Hartley, John Holmes, Tom Byron, John Leslie, Patti Petite, Christy Canyon, Ginger Lynn, Rick Savage, and Ron Jeremy.

After leaving the business as a young woman, she had some rocky times, but she didn’t let them define or destroy her… in fact the obstacles only made her stronger. What struck me most about Keli in this interview is how much she has overcome, her positive outlook on her career, and her courage in sharing her journey with others.

Keli is a lesson in perseverance and strength.
Keli is someone who doesn’t give up.
Keli is someone who doesn’t let hard times win.

Keli is an inspiration.

Read on to discover how Keli took the lemons of life, turned them into lemonade and is now ready to take the industry by storm.

What brought you back to the industry after being gone so long?

Thanks for the question, it’s a good one.

I spent a lot of years living what many might call a normal life, but the truth is, even though I left the adult industry in the late 1980s, the industry never left me. It was always at the forefront.

In 2018, I spoke with Jim South, who originally gave me my start back in the day, and he encouraged me to give it another shot. The truth is that I have a lot more to do, so much more left to accomplish, and this is the business where I’m going to make my mark.

You’ve had quite a journey, what has it been like working with some of the biggest names in the industry, going back to mainstream life, then returning again – tell us your challenges, the silver-linings, and how you’ve persevered.

Some of the biggest names you know were and are my industry family and they are the loves of my life: Rick Savage, Ginger Lynn, Christy Canyon, Herschel Savage, and Eric Edwards to name a few amongst the many greats. I’m saddened I waited so long to come back as I missed those that have since passed. But at least I had time with my biggest supporters and the man who was like a father to me, Jim South.

I was still young when I left the business – It was after the Traci Lord’s scandal which I encountered while being on set. I ran off and got married to someone I barely knew, gained a new friend called cocaine that fueled another friend called anorexia that would later bring me down to the depths of hell.

I would have to say I persevered through it all because I was not going to let the fire inside me go out, I was and am going to live the life I’ve been challenged to live – I’m my father’s daughter and I will see out his legacy.

What do you bring to the business now that you didn’t have when you were younger? And what do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Attitude, looks, and know how.

I’m not the same person I was at age eighteen, and I’m happy about that. Back then, there was so much I didn’t know, and so many times that I didn’t do the right thing, in part because I was greedy, stubborn, manipulative, and selfish.

Life is about living and sharing experiences. It’s about education, intelligence, lifting people up, and being self-confident. I don’t allow the word “can’t” or “never” in my vocabulary because there is nothing one can’t do and if you don’t try you will never know.

What has changed most about the industry – for better and for worse?

The most dramatic change that I’ve noticed are the opportunities performers have to branch out and make money in different ways.

As an example, back in the early to mid-1980s, I relied on my agent for nearly all the work that I had. Nowadays, many still have an agent but there are tons of performers who self-manage and even if they are represented, they’re still able to work independently on any number of platforms, clip, cam and chat sites, and they can also make personal appearances.

Still, some of these opportunities are a far cry from the real films we used to make and that’s one of the things I miss. Many of the productions today don’t have the artistic or cinematic effect they used to have. I understand that an individual performer can’t have hour long features on their pay sites, but I do miss the quality and effort that most studios used to put into the movies they made.

What hasn’t changed is that the adult entertainment business can be very lucrative if you know how to market yourself, if you follow through, and keep your eyes focused on the important things.

What advice do you have for those who have faced hardships and are trying to get back on their feet?

I would encourage everyone to have a “Plan B” along with some good and trusted friends.

Don’t be afraid to finish or further your education because that could lead to opportunities you’re not even thinking about now. I’m a shining example that what you might be experiencing as a young adult probably isn’t going to last forever, so be prepared for change.

Also, it’s important to trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t right. Don’t be afraid to speak up, protect yourself, and have your own best interests at heart.

What goals do you have for 2023?

Only 2023?? Lol, I’m thinking that plus further on.

First off, I’m looking forward to working with new and established talent in films.

I am also building my talent agency, Back Door Productions. It’s meant to be a forward-thinking management company with the needs of the performer held in high regard. I don’t want to control the lives of those I plan to work with. Rather, I want to help them get to that next step in ways that they are comfortable with. I also want to provide them with room to grow individually.

How can people find you and keep up on what you’re doing?

Check me out on my following links, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”!

Twitter @kelirichards2, Facebook @k3lirichards, Sextpanther @KeliRichards, OnlyFans @kelirichards2, and website, coming soon – kelirichards.com.

Thank you so much for talking with me Alyssa, and I love the entire crew at YNOT – You are the best!