Sometimes, history doesn’t arrive with a speech or a grand announcement—and for Ricky Locci, it arrived as a kiss. Unexpected, unfiltered, and completely authentic, Locci’s New Year’s Eve moment with boyfriend DJ Petrosino changed everything and gave LGBTQ+ viewers everywhere a reason to celebrate.
What started as a spontaneous decision to brave Times Square quickly turned into one of the most talked-about pop culture moments of the new year. Two men, in love, ringing in 2026—live on national television.
And honestly? We couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the year.
RELATED: Was Scott Van Pelt Disgusted by Two Men Kissing on ESPN This New Year’s Eve?
Meet the Men Behind the Moment
Ricky Locci is no stranger to breaking barriers. A gay fitness coach, certified personal trainer, and physical therapist originally from Ohio, Locci currently works as a physical therapist on Broadway productions—yes, that Broadway. He’s also the founder of Fitting In Fitness, a personal training company dedicated to LGBTQ+ health and wellness, built on years of research into the systemic barriers queer people face in sports and fitness spaces.
His boyfriend, DJ Petrosino, brings his own creative sparkle. Originally from Boston, Petrosino spent nearly 15 years in New York City as an actor and dancer before transitioning into interior design. Together, the two live in NYC and have been dating for just over a year—a detail that somehow makes their viral moment even sweeter.
The Kiss That Took Over ESPN
On New Year’s Eve, Ricky and DJ made a last-minute decision to head to Times Square. Amid the chaos, confetti, and countdowns, a TV production assistant asked if they’d be willing to kiss at midnight. Thinking it would simply appear on the Jumbotrons, they agreed—because, as DJ later put it, kissing each other is kind of their thing.
“We thought it would just be shown on the Jumbotrons. We didn’t know it was going to be televised,” Petrosino shared. “We kiss all the time, so we didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
Except it was a big deal—in the best way.
Their kiss aired live during ESPN’s New Year’s coverage, hosted by Scott Van Pelt. As millions watched, Van Pelt suddenly found himself narrating a same-sex kiss on a sports broadcast, fumbling adorably through the moment:
“Ohhhhhhhh! What are we… What do we got? We got love in the air.”
The clip now boasts over 8.2 million views, proving once again that love—especially queer love—travels fast.
The Internet Reacts (Of Course It Did)
The couple first realized the magnitude of the moment while watching a replay at a local bar. Soon after, their phones exploded with notifications. Praise poured in. Memes followed.
@jakobiewon Scott Van Pelt with showing his true colors on #newyears #happynewyear #espn #scottvanpelt #fyp
Ricky summed it up best:
“It’s been an interesting mix of reactions!”
But overwhelmingly, the response was positive.
“We’ve had a lot of support,” Locci added, “with people saying the kiss warmed their hearts, that they were so happy for us or that they needed to see that—especially after this last year.”
Source: @ricky_locci_dptMemes ranged from hilarious to oddly specific, including jokes comparing the kiss to fictional hockey heartthrobs Scott and Kip from Heated Rivalry, and one viral post joking it was Jimmy Kimmel making out with Zohran Mamdani ahead of a mayoral inauguration.
“It’s kind of funny that there’s been this gay hockey show and we’ve gone viral for being gay on a sports channel,” DJ laughed. “I guess it’s all kind of kismet when you think about it.”
Why This Moment Matters
In a media landscape where LGBTQ+ affection—especially in sports spaces—still sparks disproportionate reactions, Ricky Locci and DJ Petrosino’s kiss felt quietly revolutionary. It wasn’t staged. It wasn’t political. It was simply two people in love, existing freely.
Scott Van Pelt eventually shrugged, raised his hands, and declared, “Who’s having a good time? Happy New Year, everybody!” And really, that’s the energy we’re taking into 2026.
A Joyful Start to 2026
For Ricky Locci and DJ Petrosino, the new year began not just with a kiss, but with a reminder that visibility still matters—and that joy can be a powerful form of resistance. Their moment didn’t just go viral; it resonated.
And if this is how 2026 starts? We’re feeling very good about what comes next.
REFERENCE: Outsports