LOS ANGELES—World Modeling, the oldest talent agency in adult entertainment, has closed its doors following the death of its founder Jim South last month.
Several of the models on South’s roster have been signed by Foxxx Modeling, per the AVN Hall of Fame agent’s wishes.
South, who was the first full-time talent agent in adult, passed away on August 28 at 80.
Former World Modeling talent coordinator Matt Morgia said Thursday that South told him he wanted his iconic agency—which was founded in 1976—to close when he died.
“That’s exactly what his wishes were,” Morgia told AVN. “That once he passed away, World Modeling is dead, too. Those were his exact words. … Jim was someone I’m not going to forget.”
South’s World Modeling represented a distinguished group of Hall of Fame performers in its four-plus decades of operation, including superstars such as Ginger Lynn, Amber Lynn, Christy Canyon and Tera Patrick, among thousands of others starlets.
Morgia said South told him he wanted his close friend, Chris Cane, the owner of Foxxx Modeling, to represent his models after the transition.
“He was very clear-minded and serious about it when he said it,” Morgia added.
So at press time several models who were formerly contracted with World Modeling have signed new contracts with Foxxx, Cane said.
Among the rising stars now booking through Foxxx are Avery Cristy, Angel Youngs, Liz Jordan, Nala Brooks, Samantha Reigns and Sera Ryder.
“So far there’s six that have come over and there’s more on the way,” Cane told AVN Thursday, adding that he didn’t hesitate to offer Foxxx’s services to the models who wished to come over.
“I thought Jim had quality girls and Jim and Matt were really close,” Cane continued. “I knew Matt. I wasn’t close with him, but obviously Jim and I were real close and Matt came to me and said, ‘Hey, Jim wanted this.’
“He told me Jim said, ‘Whenever I do pass and World Modeling folds, I want you to take the girls to Chris.’ I told Matt I’d love to represent Jim’s girls.”
Cane is a former real estate investor who got into adult in 1998, launching Foxxx in 2004. Born in Fullerton, Calif., and raised in Riverside, he produced his own movies for his studio Babylon Entertainment for several years before moving into talent representation.
Morgia, who has joined Foxxx as an agent and recruiter, called Cane “the most standup dude I know in the industry.”
“We’ve always had good conversations and interactions,” Morgia said. “He’s a lot like Jim. I see a little bit of Jim in Chris. I’m very optimistic about this.”
Cane says he and Morgia make a strong team because of Morgia’s knack for recruiting new talent.
“It’s just an ideal situation because he recruits very well and I book very well,” Cane said. “I’ve probably always lagged in the recruiting department but he excels there so we’re a really good match.”
A native of Wyoming who started in adult in 2016, Morgia previously handled all of World Modeling’s bookings, while also helping to manage performers’ careers. He has also worked for Plush Talent, 101 Modeling and 360 Models, where he was an agent for about two years.
Cane said he hasn’t had anyone working for him in about a decade.
“Back in the day when the industry was different in ’05-06-07, I did have people working in the office at that point. But since 2010, I haven’t had anybody. So this will be the first time in 10 years,” he noted.
Cane added, “So far it’s been heaven. I’ve really appreciated Matt’s hard work. Matt is kind of a workaholic, so I really appreciate that. He is one of the best recruiters in the business in my opinion.”
Contact Morgia at [email protected] and Cane at [email protected].
