Pictured here are a few of the TEA Awards winners, from left: Miran, Domino Presley, Madison, Dicky Johnson, Kylie Maria; photo by Chris King/Reel Seduction. For a full winners list, click here.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—Last night the Transgender Erotica Awards Show came to back the Avalon, confirming once again that this venerable Hollywood venue is a perfect setting for a night of trans solidarity and sequin- and rhinestone-studded glamor. The dolled-up crowd was there not only to cheer for the nominees for the Transgender Erotica Awards (TEAs) but also to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grooby, the studio created by TS advocate Steven Grooby back in 1996. The pioneering studio also is responsible for creating the TEA Show and nurturing the event from its modest beginnings to its current gala incarnation.
As in years past, the night started off on the red carpet with statuesque Morgan Bailey interviewing guests while a phalanx of photographers snapped away. The big names in the TS game came out in force—Wendy Williams was in from Kentucky, and TS Madison from Chicago. Yasmin Lee dazzled in a see-through purple lace ensemble; Gia Darling, Mia Isabella, Mia Isabella, Natassia Dreams and Foxxy were resplendent in gowns that accentuated their curves. Perhaps most eye-popping was reality TV star Cassandra Cass. The star of Trantasia and Wild Things referred to her dress as “just a bit of fabric,” and indeed it was. With cloth swatches barely covering her ample bustline and derriere, it was all about the body beneath.
In addition to the big names, there were also new performers. A shy Sarah Webb explained that it was her first TEA Show. A pretty brunette who resembles comedian Sarah Silverman, Webb recently did her first set for ShemaleYum.com and was there to serve as a co-presenter of the Best DVD Director award.
On either side of the carpet, fans clustered around to watch the stars. One attendee, Damian, had traveled from New York for the second time in a row to see the show. When asked who he was most looking forward to seeing, Damian said, “They’re all beautiful and they’re all great at what they do,” but he did allow that he was particularly keen to see Penny Tyler (alas, she remained elusive). “They bring us entertainment,” he said, explaining that he enjoys watching their work on camera but also appreciates the real personalities behind the fantasies. “The sex is what sells, but there’s more behind it than just the sex.”
In addition to the glamorous gowns, the carpet also saw its share of suits and tuxedos worn by dapper FTM performers, including James Darling, Dicky Johnson and Eddie Wood. And there was a contingent of cisgender stars in attendance on the carpet and on the stage, among them Jessica Drake, Brad Armstrong, Misty Stone, Magdalene St. Michaels, James Bartholet, Eliza Allure, Kelly Shibari, Karla Lane, April Flores, Simone Sonay, Mona Wales, Aiden Starr and Samantha Rone, Michael Vegas and Lyra Louvel.
After stars and fans finally tore themselves away from the bright lights of the carpet, performer Michelle Austin opened up the show, commenting on the plethora of big-name performers. “We brought Wendy Williams all the way from Kentucky to show her what she's been missing. It's a tranny reunion,” she said, immediately critiquing her own use of the “T word” but adding that since she is a TS performer, it was OK for her to use it. (As aficionados no doubt remember, the TEAs were known as the Tranny Awards until 2014.)
Austin also noted that this year’s awards had new categories, including Best Non-TS Performer — Female. “There’s a couple I have a girl crush on,” she said. Looking svelte in a teal evening gown with a black lace jacket, Austin joked, “Tonight I look like I'm from Mob Wives, but I’m going to change it up later on.”
Performer Hudsy Hawn then got a rousing response with a hilarious musical number about dating that incorporated musical riffs from Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and Tony Bennett’s “It’s a Wonderful World” (one of the refrains: “Don't stop believing Craigslist is deceiving”).
And with that, it was time to get down to business. A star of the second season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Jujubee is veteran host of the TEA Awards and knows how to tame the crowd and keep them entertained with saucy asides. Even though the show ran past 2 a.m., Jujubee kept the action moving.
As is fitting for a show marking Grooby’s 20th anniversary, the first two awards announced were focused on DVD content. Performers Tiffany Starr and Smith came out to present the winner for Best DVD—and it was a tie between Kaitlyn Gender: Based on a Not So True Story (Trans500/Pure Play Media) and My TS Student (TransSensual/Mile High). Director Josh Stone came up to accept for Kaitlyn Gender, and although Jonelle Brooks was not in attendance, he was accompanied by cast members Wendy Williams, Kylie Maria and Ramon. (It was a good night for Stone, who also was named Best Photographer.) And though TransSensual director Nica Noelle was also not present, My TS Student cast members Magdalene St. Michaels and Rob Yaeger graciously accepted, with Yaeger celebrating the “omnisexual” nature of the movie: “Straight woman involved, trans woman involved—it was just fucking hot.”
The award for Best DVD Director went to veteran Evil Angel director Joey Silvera, whose history in the genre goes back almost as far as Grooby’s. Alas, the camera-shy director did not accept in person.
Presenters Athena Addams and Jessica Drake presented the first award in the FTM genre: the Best FTM Scene award, which went to Dicky Johnson and Trixxy Von Tease. Later in the evening Johnson also won Best FTM Performer, while the FTM New Face honors went to Eddie Wood.
Yasmin Lee, known for her role in Hangover II, was delighted by a win for Best Scene for her work with Lucas Knight in scene for Kink.com’s TS Seduction line.
After announcing the next two winners, Chelsea Marie for Ms. Unique and Venus Lux (AVN’s reigning Transsexual Performer of the Year) for Best Solo Site, Jujubee paused for a moment to muse about how far the TEA Awards have come. “We are actually seen as an awards show. We can compare ourselves to the Oscars—but we're really not racist. I think this is the most inclusive awards show I've ever been in my gay life.”
Other winners in the first half included Ava Keading, Sasha Skyes, Becca Benz, Domino Presley, Gia Darling and Jamie French. The latter celebrated her win for Best Scene Producer by saying it was “good to win an award for merit and not just being born the prettiest.”
Of particular interest to AVN, our own Mark Kernes was singled out for the Industry Professional Award. Gia Darling came up to present, noting that Kernes had been around since AVN’s inception and had been instrumental in getting her involved with the AVN Awards. (Darling was the 2006 Transsexual Performer of the Year.) Kernes accepted with a short speech, telling the sex-positive crowd that he “found out something about my own sexuality” when he began reviewing trans titles. He realized “I thought, ‘She’s pretty, her face is pretty, her boobs are nice and she’s stroking a cock—just because it’s her own cock shouldn’t make any difference’—and that’s where I got started.”
The first half of the show also revealed the winners in the two non-TS performer categories. Robert Axel, a busy performer in the genre, took male performer honors. The newly created female category (sponsored by Joey Silvera) was announced by Aubrey Kate and Natassia Dreams, who eloquently thanked the nominees for working with TS performers. The winner was Mona Wales, who recently signed on to direct for Grooby. Wales gave a word of advice to women who fear that working with TS performers will “ruin their career.” Facing the crowd, she crowed, “It's so much better here.”
After a break to allow for hugs, air kisses and conversation, the show kicked up again, with Hudsy Hawn as ringleader of a Syren fashion show. Tyra Scott, Jamie French, Tori Mayes, Morgan Bailey, Aubrey Kate, Foxxy, Dicky Johnson, Michelle Austin (definitely not looking like a mob wife), Eddie Wood, Lyra Louvel, Michael Vegas, Kylie Maria, Stefani Special and Juanito Blanco paraded out in latex and fetish attire.
A big part of the second half of the show was devoted to the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Grooby staff members Frank, Alexander and Luis came up to laud The Commander, who was the first photographer to supply original images to Grooby. Each alluded to adventures they’d had with the legendary shooter, but said the stories were too wild to tell—or, as Luis said, “I’m not drunk enough to tell it.” Then the shooter came up himself. “I’ll have to admit when I sent Steven a package of photos 20 years ago, I never dreamed he would turn it in to what we have today,” The Commander mused.
As lively as that presentation was, it was overshadowed by the next, which was arguably the evening’s high point. After Domino Presley and Morgan Bailey announced Lifetime Achievement honoree Madison—known for her site BigDickBitch.com—a video tribute came up on the screen, with Madison talking, laughing, cursing and playing both the Ariel and Ursula the sea witch roles in a Little Mermaid takeoff. After that the performer came up on stage personally, earning a standing ovation and cheers as she delivered a blunt yet loving acceptance speech. “You’re givin’ this bitch the lifetime achievement award—ain’t that something,” she said, adding, “When I came into this business it was to do one thing, and that was to survive.” It was a comment that elicited one of the most heartfelt responses of the evening.
Wendy Williams followed that tough act with grace, announcing a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Kimberly Devine. “For all my young ladies out there, the newcomers, I need you to listen,” Williams said. “It is great that some of the jobs we have had over the years have allowed us to buy a new pair of shoes or a vacation or a new pocketbook, but if you look back at your history there was a group of entertainers—Gia Darling, Vanity, Meghan Chavalier, Brandy [Scott], the twins—ladies who set the footwork in order for us to be here tonight. Sadly, one of those entertainers recently passed away.” Williams noted that “sometimes it’s too late to tell the entertainers how much you appreciated them for their hard work.” After that Chavalier, a 2009 Lifetime Achievement winner at the TEAs, accepted the award on Devine’s behalf.
The second half of the show also revealed other big winners. Kylie Maria took home trophies for Trans500 Model of the Year and Fan Choice Award. Miran earned the title for Best Non-U.S. Performer and Nina Lawless celebrated for being the Kinkiest T-Girl. The Best New Face winner was Natalie Mars, while Domino Presley picked up an additional trophy for Best Solo Model. And the final award, Best Hardcore Model, went to Kaitlyn Gender star Jonelle Brooks.
Also gracing the stage were an array of presenters, among them Buck Angel, Blackula, Eva Cassini, Jessy Dubai, Honey Foxxx, Jesse, Kelli Lox, Tori Mayes, Sunshyne Monroe, Nikki Montero, Holly Parker, Ramon, Soldier Boi, River Stark, Aiden Starr, Ariel X and Brooke Zanell.
The TEA Show was just part of a weekend extravaganza that included an opening party at Cheetah’s on Friday (see gallery here), the first TEACon gathering, which took place at The Stockroom on Saturday, and tonight’s after party, held in Bardot, the upstairs bar at the Avalon. For information on tonight’s party, go to TheTEAShow.com.
AVN will be posting more images from the various events this week.
