The Complex 7 THE COMPLEX 7: RYAN SHECKLER

It’s hard to believe, but Ryan Sheckler is still only 18. Since he turned pro five years ago, he’s earned both (a) veritable shitloads of skateboarding awards and sponsors and (b) a constant stream of naysayers who scoff at his reality show (MTV’s Life of Ryan) and money-out-the-ass style. In that sense, Ryan reminds us a little of Soulja Boy—he’s undeniably good at what he does but pisses people off because he enjoys making a lot of money and acting like a teenager. Know this: Ryan is playing the game, and he’s winning. Feel free to hate, but it is what it is.

On deck for the skater is his official clothing brand, RS by Sheckler (available at JCPenney). Who will buy Ryan’s budget-friendly collection of T-shirts, jeans and accessories? “The kids at the skate parks that like what I wear,” he says. “Their parents are not going to drop $80 on a pair of jeans that their kids are going to put holes in. So go buy $39 jeans and have [the kids] put as many holes in them as they want.” Ryan was recently in town to promote RS, so we got up with him to talk about TV breakups, bad injuries and his favorite rappers. Read on for The Complex 7 as well as pics from the RS collection….