CHATSWORTH, Calif.—AVN Media Network is pleased to announce that accomplished performers Drake Von and Tony Genius will co-host the 2026 GayVN Awards.
The biggest night in gay porn will take place Thursday, January 22 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, bringing together top talent from across the globe for an unforgettable ceremony of glitz, glamor and gorgeous men. The show will recognize more than 30 winners across multiple categories, including fan-voted awards.
“GayVNs is super amazing. It’s a very welcoming and at-home environment,” said Von. “I love everything about it—all the people, all the activities, everything it stands for. It’s such a safe place for performers to come together and express themselves and network, and feel good.”
The performer started his career in 2021 with smaller studios, then branched out the next year as his fame exploded. With 1.4 million followers on X, Von performed with many major studios before signing as an exclusive with Men.com last year—all in addition to his prolific presence on OnlyFans.
“This year, winning those two awards—that is one of my favorite memories. I had a lot of friends there, a lot of support. It was very exciting, and it meant a lot for my work to be recognized,” says Von, who has won two GayVN Awards each of the last two ceremonies.
“And I can’t wait to co-host next year. I’ve been on a lot of stages at somewhat similar events, like smaller award shows and stuff, but nothing to this magnitude. This one will definitely be a lot more memorable. And Tony’s really cool; I’ve known him for a long time now. We’ve met on many occasions—he’s a great guy.”
Like Von, Genius started in 2021, and his career quickly skyrocketed. He has a special place in his heart for the GayVN Awards.
“I started doing the GayVNs when it was virtual, and that’s actually how I truly got into the industry. Because at first, I wasn’t ‘seen,’ and then they had me be a presenter for the last virtual version of it (in 2022),” Genius says. “That was my way of getting seen.”
He went the following year for the show’s return to a live, in-person show—and had a fortuitous encounter.
“I actually walked the red carpet for the first time with Drake Von, so that’s an interesting full-circle moment for us,” he laughs. “I didn’t really know anybody that first year of the show being back in person. I had seen Drake online and knew of him, but we didn’t know each other. We both showed up at the event near each other at the red carpet, and I was like, ‘What’s up? I’m Tony. You wanna walk together?’”
They did, and a friendship was born.
“We introduced ourselves to each other, and from there, we’ve hung out, we’ve shot scenes together. The following year we did a studio scene for NakedSword there during the AVN Expo. He’s a lot of fun, and I like hanging with him. He’s a young, bright star.”
Genius also appeared in promos for previous GayVN Awards, an experience he said was invaluable.
“It was really cool to see yourself on billboards, on taxis, all over the event spaces and for the award show. And I got to meet
Alec Mapa, which was a really great experience,” he says. “I love GayVNs. You get together with people across all different spectrums of our industry for a week to promote ourselves, meet new people, network, collab, work with studios—and of course have the event, where we can all dress up and honor each other for the spectacular work that we put out.”
Genius is at home on stage. He has a background in improv, and has done comedy shows at The Second City in Chicago. He has recently performed in the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch comedy show “Porn Without the Porn” in Hollywood.
“I like to exude positive energy, and I like that energy around me. You always see a smile with me, and I think that brings other people up and makes experiences with other people that much better.”
Genius recently appeared on the popular reality TV series Below Deck, and is looking to film his own documentary series. He also served as a co-host at the Grabby Awards two years ago.
“I had five outfit changes for that, so expect to see some wild stuff from me for the GayVNs,” he laughs. “I felt honored when they reached out. And the cherry on top is doing it with someone that I started in this industry with, and that’s Drake. I told him that we’re going to get together and we’re going to come up with some fun skits and things. I’m excited.”
AVN Media Network CEO Tony Rios says the 2026 hosts represent the pinnacle of adult entertainment.
“Drake and Tony are multi-talented stars who carry themselves with class and style,” Rios says. “We couldn’t be happier that these two exceptional men will be our masters of ceremonies for the biggest GayVN Awards Show we’ve ever done.”
For tickets to the 2026 GayVN Awards, click here.
Photo by @kogafoto
