Page 58 - AVN July 2018

FEATURE |
THE HEARTTHROBS
Erotic, sensual, romantic, sophisticated, glamorous—these are some of the
adjectives used to describe what’s referred to as couples’ erotica. When
looking to cast the male performers in their productions, directors like
Erotica X’s James Avalon, Vixen’s Greg Lansky, X-Art’s Brigham and Colette Field
and New Sensations’ Eddie Powell often turn to a certain group of guys. These
handsome charmers are able to give fans the boyfriend experience, providing
romance instead of raunch.
And since no one boyfriend is right for everyone, porn’s heartthrobs come in
many different styles: boyish and appealing, rugged and dangerous, suave and
gentlemanly.
FEATURE | By Sherri L. Shaulis and Sharan Street
Chad Alva
After nine years in the biz, Chad Alva still
keeps his Midwestern niceness intact but
also taps into a surfer/stoner/slacker vibe.
Take, for example, the character he played in
the excellent Lost and Found (New Sensations,
2011), which garnered him a Best
Supporting Actor nod. And Alva is also quite
a cerebral guy, penning novels when he’s not
shooting his own content for ManyVids.
Flash Brown
Originally a mainstream model, Flash Brown
followed up on a photographer’s suggestion
in 2011 to get into adult. The 6-foot-6-
inch performer really gained traction a few
years later, with two high-profile wins at
the 2016 AVN Awards, including Best Boy/
Girl Sex Scene for an iconic Blacked.com
shoot directed by Greg Lansky and featuring
Abigail Mac.
Johnny Castle
A washboard abdomen and bulging biceps
suggest that Johnny Castle spends a lot
of time in the gym, but his 80-odd scene
credits for 2018 alone suggest that his real
workout regimen takes place in front of the
camera. And he still manages to find time
to produce exclusive content for his social
media followers, who are 101,000 strong on
Twitter alone.
Charles Dera
A rugged, masculine guy with a Don Draper-
esque demeanor, Dera is an ideal vignette
player. “I’m not really a gonzo guy,” he told
AVN, adding, “I always get cast in roles
based on the way I look. … Each day is like
a mini feature—I’m shooting a whole new
adventure every day. … There’s always a
story.”
Ryan Driller
One can’t deny that this is one head-
turningly handsome guy—hence his status
as a heartthrob. And he’s also one hell of a
performer—strong, fit and masterful. And in
addition to looking pretty, Driller also knows
how to act. To see one of his most complex
performances, check out Brad Armstrong’s
An Inconvenient Mistress (Wicked Pictures).
Top from left: Chad Alva,
Charles Dera. Middle:
Flash Brown, Ryan
Driller. Bottom: Johnny
Castle, Lucas Frost.
58 | AVN.com | 7.18