Honestly, when most people talk about Magic Mike XXL, they basically just want to talk about the Cheetos. Or the water bottle. Or how Joe Manganiello somehow managed to make a gas station mini-mart in Savannah, Georgia, look like the most high-stakes stage in Las Vegas.
But there is a whole lot more to the story of Joe Manganiello Magic Mike 2 than just some inspired snack-food improv.
The 2015 sequel—which everyone calls Magic Mike 2 but is officially Magic Mike XXL—flipped the script on the original. While the first movie was a bit of a gritty, Soderbergh-style "cautionary tale" about the economy and the dark side of the stripping world, the sequel was basically a giant, neon-lit hug. It was a road trip movie. A "stripper odyssey," as Channing Tatum called it. And at the heart of that shift was Manganiello’s character, Big Dick Richie.
The Mini-Mart Scene Wasn't Just Luck
You’ve seen the clip. Richie is having a crisis of confidence. He thinks he’s lost his "mojo." The guys pull over at a gas station and dare him to make the dour-looking cashier smile.
What ensues is legendary. Richie bursts through the doors to the opening notes of the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way." He dances through the aisles, slides on the floor, douses himself in bottled water, and eventually "explodes" a bag of Cheetos.
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Here’s the thing: Manganiello actually suggested that song himself. He had recently seen a Backstreet Boys documentary and realized that "I Want It That Way" is one of those tracks every guy secretly knows the words to but won't admit it. He wanted Richie to be the guy who spent hours in his bedroom as a kid learning the BSB choreography.
Lindsey Moser, the actress playing the cashier, actually had to use a pamphlet at the register to fan herself because she was genuinely losing it. They shot that scene for hours. Joe was improvising half of it, including the Cheetos bit, which apparently resulted in a lot of "Cheeto bag casualties" and a very messy floor that the crew had to keep cleaning up between takes.
The Injury That Almost Ended Everything
It sounds like all fun and games, but playing Big Dick Richie in Joe Manganiello Magic Mike 2 was physically dangerous. People forget that these guys aren't just actors; they’re doing high-level athletic stunts.
During the first take of his big finale routine—the one involving the sex swing and Nine Inch Nails' "Closer"—Manganiello felt something pop. He tore his bicep.
Think about that for a second. Most people would go straight to the ER. But Joe? He finished the movie with one arm. He had to have major surgery the moment he got back to Los Angeles, but he didn't want to let the "Kings of Tampa" down. When you watch that finale now, knowing he’s working through a literal muscle tear, the intensity hits different.
Why Big Dick Richie Mattered in the Sequel
In the first film, Richie was mostly comic relief and "the big guy." In the second one, he’s the emotional glue.
With Matthew McConaughey’s Dallas out of the picture, the group was aimless. Richie is the one trying to keep the band together. Manganiello has talked about how he viewed the film as a "progressive" take on what women actually want. It wasn't about "look at my abs"; it was about "how can I make this woman feel seen and special?"
It’s a subtle shift, but it’s why the movie has such a massive cult following among people who usually hate "stripper movies." It’s earnest. It’s kind of sweet.
The Evolution Workout
To get into "XXL" shape, Joe didn't just do some sit-ups. He was basically living like a competitive bodybuilder while working 14-hour days.
- The Routine: He utilized a lot of "EMOM" (Every Minute On the Minute) training and Olympic lifting.
- The Diet: He’s been vocal about his body "doing best on red meat," which he called a "renaissance" for his strength levels.
- The Mentality: He famously said that the reason there’s an "air of confidence" on stage is because you’ve put in the work in the gym. If you’re dialed in, you aren't thinking about being naked; you’re thinking about the performance.
What You Can Learn From the "Richie" Approach
If you’re looking for actionable insights from Manganiello’s performance, it’s not just "go to the gym."
- Commit to the Bit: The mini-mart scene works because Joe isn't "acting" like he’s embarrassed. He’s fully, 100% committed to the absurdity. Whether you're giving a presentation or trying a new hobby, half-hearted efforts usually fail. Go full "Cheeto bag" or don't go at all.
- Preparation Breeds Confidence: His "Evolution" philosophy is real. You can't fake the confidence that comes from genuine preparation.
- Know Your Audience: The success of his character in the sequel came from realizing that "sexy" is often just about being fun and attentive rather than just being "hot."
Joe Manganiello Magic Mike 2 remains a high-water mark for his career because it showcased his range. He could be the brawny werewolf from True Blood, sure, but he could also be a guy who just wants to make a tired cashier smile to the tune of a 90s boy band.
If you haven't revisited the film lately, it's worth a rewatch—not just for the spectacle, but for the sheer effort Manganiello put into a role that could have easily been a one-dimensional caricature.