This Week We Love…

Even if former professional in-line skating champion Ryan Allen Carrillo weren’t crushworthy for his looks and athletic accomplishments, he should be applauded just for chucking his rigidly religious childhood in favor of a lifestyle as an openly gay pro athlete.

And, of course, there’s that brush with Madonna.

Carrillo — a three-time Southwest regional champion, U.S. silver medalist and member of the in-line World Team — moved to Lenexa a few months ago as regional manager for the Saddle Ranch Chop House restaurant chain. He recently returned from London, where he helped Madge learn to roller skate for her new video. He says she’d never skated in her life and would practice for hours until she was drenched in sweat. He also dishes that the Material Mom is totally the diva we imagine.

A Los Angeles native, Carrillo wasn’t sure what fresh hell he was getting into when his plane touched down at KCI. Two months later, he has decided he likes the place. But because he’s immersed in getting the restaurant open, he doesn’t have time for anything else, even skating.

“I don’t even know where a skate park is in Kansas City,” he says. “I might have to build a ramp in my backyard.”

Now there’s an opening line.

That’s why this week we love Ryan Allen Carrillo.