LOS ANGELES—The Urban X Awards returned to downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night, capping a weekend of events leading up to the show. (photo galleries)
The event took place at the Regent Theater, a one-time silent movie house (est. 1914) that had been first-run, second-run and an all-night adult theater before shutting down in 2000 and re-opening as a music venue in 2014. A gaggle of photographers recorded arrivals on the red carpet entry on Main Street. Inside, the multi-level auditorium had two bars and a massive sound board in the center of the room just feet away from the runway stage, and a mezzanine overlooking the stage with a third bar upstairs.
"I have been with the Urban X Awards since the beginning," longtime staffer and show announcer James Bartholet said. "We have people who have flown in from all over the United States to come to the Urban X weekend and the awards show. Look at the diversity we have here, and all of the talent. We are honoring and appreciating all performers. It's for everybody, it really, really is. They inducted me in their Hall of Fame. And Axel Braun. We push for Unity, Diversity, Creativity. It's a hot summer day and everybody's dressed to the nines. I hope the air conditioner's working," he laughed.
The doors opened at 7:30 p.m., and the crowd filled the seats around the sides of the runway and facing the stage, with front-row seats reserved for Hall of Fame inductees and sponsor tables at the sides on the auditorium. Sponsor logos flashed on a screen on the back wall of the stage. The show started with a set by comic Camille Corbett, dressed for the part in a lace dress over black lingerie, who pointed out, "I'm bisexual, which means I'm attracted to my reflection in other people" before launching into a rap song, "Find the Clit." She was followed by rap artist Reason before the show hosts Beca Barbie, Isiah Maxwell, and Ebony Mystique took the stage. The Hall of Fame presentation came first, with seven of the 20 honorees present. Kiki Daire thanked "every single one of you," Micki Lynn thanked her husband and her longtime agent, Jim South, "Rest in peace, Jim," and Rome Major thanked his mentor, performer Sara Jay. Tommy Gunn said "Look to your left. Look to your right. These are all family members," before joking "I hope this isn’t the end."
Orgasmic Oralist went to Jasamine Banks, who said "I'm going to keep this short and sweet: Thank you to my fans. Thank you thank you thank you. Bye!" and left the stage. Urban X Stud winner Burgundy told the crowd "Anything is possible in this industry. Don't let nothin’ — nothin' — stop you all from shining. Thank you all for letting me win this award."
Isiah Maxwell picked up the family theme, saying "I missed my family barbecue for this, but this is my true family here. I love you all" before Hailey Rose took Rising Star Female, accepting with "I am so grateful to be up here. This is crazy. I'm so honored. Everybody in this category is fucking bad bitches, and I can't believe I won, because all of you guys are so hot. Thank you so much. This is awesome" before raising her arms triumphantly and walking offstage.
Hi Key, winning for Talented Tongue, told the crowd, "Shout out to everybody for looking amazing tonight. I found out the key: It’s definitely pleasing women," leading to raucous applause and cheering. Karmen Karma won Most Amazing Ass, thanking "all the guys who paid for it, and Dr. Doug." Transgender Star of the Year winner Leilani Li got a thunderous ovation and Social Media Star of the Year winner Bad Ass Brannn observed "This is my first year" before a crawl of winner announcements led to a half-hour intermission.
"I've never been to these awards before," performer Lilly Bell told AVN during the intermission. "I like it. It's more like a party."
After the break, Female Performer of the Year went to Violet Myers for the second straight year. She said, "I want to say thank you so much for the acknowledgement. Congratulations to the nominees as well." New Hall of Famer Rome Major came back to the stage, winning Male Content Creator of the Year, saying, "I respect everybody out here. We're working every day" and thanking Sara Jay again: "I wouldn't be here without you." Little Puck won Alt Model of the Year, saying, "I really didn’t expect this, I think I'm gonna pee my pants... In my industry, being a monster-fucker, I want to say that you inspire me so fuckin' much. I've been doing this 12 years, and I couldn’t do it without this incredible support community. I have the best conversations with sex workers: We are so fuckin' wholesome and real with each other. Thank you all for just being amazing."
Best Male Newcomer winner Chocolate God exulted, "I've got a few awards in my career so far but this means something special to me... I feel blessed, and all I gotta say is who wants to get blessed by the God next?" Most Popular BBW Star winner Boss Lady pointed out her family applauding and taking cell-phone video in the audience and said "When I win, we all win" as she strutted up the runway.
After a crawl of more winners, the horror movie Scissors won Feature Movie of the Year, with the award accepted by director Harry Sparks and stars James Bartholet and Lilly Bell, who had to be helped onto the stage when she approached from the audience, later explaining, "I thought your stage was shorter."
Urban X Awards founder Giana Taylor took the stage, pointing out that, "We are a family, and when I created the Urban X Weekend, it was so we could have a family reunion" and thanking partner Alexander DeVoe: "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him" before presenting Founder's Favorite awards to Ana Foxxx and Ray Black, supporters of the awards since the beginning.
Hottest Inked Star winner Charlie B Hustle told the audience, "It's been a long night. Take a shot for me," and Most Popular MILF Performer went to Sara Jay, who observed "I've been in the industry 25 years. I want to thank all the fans, of course, for doing their part, but I want to thank all of you for being a really amazing community, a family for the last quarter-century. I love you, too."
Mazee The Goat was named Male Performer of the Year, and he danced up the aisle to the stage. He encouraged the audience to "say thank you to Giana and Alex" before thanking his fans, his supporters, director Ricky Johnson and performer Sara Jay, before saying, "It's a journey. But stay focused on the bad, and you'll be right here."
The show closed with Female Content Creator of the Year, won by Renity Love, and Hottest Fetish Star, won by Ms. Red X, before a final crawl of Wild Card winners and Giana Taylor inviting the winners to come to the stage to collect their award trophies.
To see the full winners list, click here.
Photography by Rony Alwin & John Chennavasin
For photo galleries, click here.
