HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—The 2011 XBIZ Awards winners were announced last night during an entertaining ceremony the Palladium. Hosted by Digital Playground star Jesse Jane and comedienne Whitney Cummings, the lengthy proceedings honored the best and the brightest in the video, pleasure product, internet, distribution and retail sectors of the adult business.
The award show’s red carpet stretched from the Palladium’s marquee on Sunset Boulevard west to Argyle Avenue and around the corner. Traffic snarled to a crawl, not only for motorists to ogle the industry’s brightest stars, but to gander at a sizable contingent of AIDS Healthcare Foundation demonstrators that picketed the awards.
The business-to-business awards show moved swiftly through categories as attendees sat at tables on the floor or milled about on the wings or outside the auditorium by the bar. More than 75 awards were presented live on stage including numerous special achievement categories.
Notable wins included Andy San Dimas (Female Performer of the Year), Chanel Preston (New Starlet of the Year), Tommy Gunn (Male Performer of the Year), Digital Playground (Studio of the Year), Wicked Pictures’ Speed (Feature Movie of the Year), CalExotics (Toy Manufacturer of the Year) and Castle Megastore (Retailer of the Year).
For a complete list of winners, click here.
Star power was in full effect at the show as the industry’s biggest stars mixed, mingled and celebrated a year of achievement—many of them fresh off wins at the AVN Awards.
Penthouse was represented by studio head Kelly Holland and production chief Cisco Lamessi in addition to a coterie of Penthouse Pets that included Aimee Sweet, Jelena Jensen, Jewels Jade, Breanne Benson, Sabrina Maree and Pets of the Year Sunny Leone (2003), Heather Vandeven (2007), Taylor Vixen (2010) and Nikki Benz (2011). The company’s studio is one of the busiest in the Valley and recently announced that male performer Rocco Reed would be making his directorial debut.
Talent agent Mark Spiegler was accompanied by his usual cadre of Spiegler Girls, including Bobbi Starr, Kristina Rose, Katsuni (who came with Manuel Ferrara), Andy San Dimas, Asa Akira, Chanel Preston, Sarah Shevon, London Keyes and one very high-profile new client, Raven Alexis.
LA Direct Models also made an impression on the red carpet with owner Derek Hay, agent Mike Moz and performers Brooklyn Lee, Tasha Reign, Amy Brooke, Sadie Swede, Tori Black, Lexi Belle, Candy Manson, Ash Hollywood, Brooke Lee Adams, Daisy Marie and Tanner Mayes.
Among the interesting news tidbits talked about at the show were Ruby Knox’s return to doing boy/girl scenes, Vivid’s new superhero movies Spiderman XXX: A Porn Parody and Spiderman vs. Superman XXX: A Porn Parody, Tommy Gunn and Marcus London’s LondonGunn Ranch in Agua Dulce that’s become a popular shooting location, Teagan Presley traveling overseas to scout locations for the next Sun Goddess movie, and directors Andre Madness and David Lord working on a grindhouse-style double feature for Adam & Eve Pictures.
Other bold-face attendees included SunLust Pictures’ Sunny Leone; Wicked Girls Lupe Fuentes, Jessica Drake, Stormy Daniels, Kaylani Lei and Kirsten Price; Briana Blair; Adam & Eve’s director of production Meredith Christopher, president Bob Christian and contract star Alexis Ford; Bluebird Films president Nicholas Steele and contract star Madelyn Marie; Elegant Angel general manager Graham Travis and director William H.; Ivan; Roy Karch; Barrett Blade; Dale DaBone; Mr. Pete; Alexis Texas; Lisa Ann; Jenna Haze; Sophie Dee; Richelle Ryan; Allie Haze; Tee Reel; Evan Seinfeld; Jules Jordan; Vince Vouyer; Christina Aguchi; Kirsten Price; Mary Carey; Julia Ann; Alexander DeVoe; Angelina Valentine; Priya Rai; James Bartholet; Eric Swiss; Sunny Lane; Ron Jeremy; rock star Dave Navarro.
Also spotted were Digital Playground CEO Samantha Lewis and stars Jesse Jane, Kayden Kross and Riley Steele; Raven Alexis; Ashley Fires; Danni Cole; Joanna Angel; Misti Dawn; Michael Vegas; Craven Moorehead; Porno Dan; Evan Stone; James Deen; Vanilla DeVille; Brittney Amber; Marie McCray; Bobby Manila, Mile High Media vice president Jon Blitt; Vivid Entertainment founder/co-chairman Steven Hirsch; Zero Tolerance president Greg Alves; Evil Angel owner John Stagliano and general manager Christian Mann; Twistys owner Shap; celebrity sex tape broker Kevin Blatt; Ann Marie Rios; Tanya Tate; Lexington Steele; Aubrey Addams; Alexandra Silk; Nikki Charm; Sex Toy Dave; Doc Johnson’s Chad Braverman; director Will Ryder, Axel Braun; Diamond Foxx; Cousin Stevie; Puma Swede; Keiran Lee; and Tommy Gunn.
