HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—Longtime watering hole Boardner's, steps off Hollywood Boulevard, hosted the 42nd X-Rated Critics Organization awards Sunday night. A red carpet led off the sidewalk to a narrow gauntlet of photographers and videographers, heading to the venue's tented outdoor patio. (photo galleries)
"I'm looking forward to having a good time with all my friends in the industry," show co-host Sarah Arabic told AVN. "I was told 'just show up and be hot' so I didn’t stress too much about it. I'm going with the flow." Arabic and Melony Melons co-hosted the ceremony, with Caitlyn Baby and Nyla as trophy presenters.
"I've never been to the XRCOs—apparently that's how you say it, and not X-Arco, which is what I was saying before," Ravyn Alexa said. "It's good to see everyone... I see Sarah Arabic over there, I'm looking forward to giving her a tight hug." People mingling at the bar notice that one of the security people is a dead ringer for a young Ron Jeremy. Spotted in the crowd: Ricky Greenwood, Tanya Tate, Amber Lynn. "I was shooting for Naughty America on Monday and Tuesday. I shot a scene on Monday and it was out by Friday," Brittany Andrews marveled. "That is the fastest turnaround I've ever seen. That was impressive-A-F. Less than five days. Crazy."
Agent Mark Spiegler enters, heads straight to a booth with his client posse. "I'm tired," Gal Ritchie says. What have you been doing? "Fucking. There are worse reasons to be tired." Axel Braun walks by. "Retired, but still around!" he declares triumphantly. Angela White tells me of new scenes she's done for Jules Jordan and Jonni Darkko. Lisa Sparxxx, now retired, in from Kentucky: "I've never been to XRCO before. Living the dream in Bowling Green," she declares. Ariel Demure looking very '60s-Shirley MacLaine with short red hair and a low-cut black dress with fur collar. River Lynn, Seth Gamble, Lucky Starr. Karla Lane in conversation with Jeff Mullen. Euro-talent Amalia Davis tells me she has moved to L.A. "I'm looking forward to meeting new people. Networking, as usual," she adds with a chuckle. "I'm looking to have a lot of fun, and support my friends," new talent Brandi Swan says. "Smile, and have a good time."
Lauren Phillips details her recent cross-country itinerary, with stops in Miami, Denver, back to Miami, "Philly, to see my family, and now I'm here." She's shooting in L.A. the next few days and teases a new project "that I can't say what it is yet." Ophelia Fae says, "I've been to this venue before, when it was Bar Sinister. I'm always happy being at these events. I'm nominated for Girl/Girl Performer Of The Year. I consider being nominated the win. There's no losing in that category. I love women and I'm happy to see any woman happy."
The awards show started at 9:30, with awards show coordinator Alexander Raymond thanking the sponsors, and introducing the co-hosts and trophy presenters. Veteran performer Amber Lynn presented the Hall of Fame honorees: performer Domonique Simone, who received the award with a heartfelt "I love you all. Thank you so much"; Tyffany Million, who said "to be able to come back after 30 years away from this industry... AVN Hall of Fame and now XRCO Hall of Fame is beyond my wildest dreams. I've actually done more mainstream than I have porn, now, but the best memories of my life are from the golden era of the porn industry"; and longtime AVN contributor Tod Hunter, who reflected on his journey to becoming an adult-industry reporter ("When game shows went to hell, I found a lifeline here in this industry") and referenced XRCO founders Jim Holliday, Jared Rutter, and Bill Margold as "giants, and I am proud to be a part of that legacy."
Hollywood Whore: A Jennifer White Showcase Film won Star Showcase, and, after thanking her agent and her husband, left the stage with her drink, her phone, and the award in one hand as she was helped down the stairs. Personal Favorite went to Octavia Red, and New Starlet went to Cheerleader Kait, who called it "an honor. I love the title. Thank you for making me feel so special." Orgasmic Oralist went to Blake Blossom, who confidently declared "Who's surprised? Not me" with a self-deprecating grin. "This mouth does a lot other than talk. Thank you very much for recognizing my mouth skills." Jennifer White returned to the stage winning Awesome Analist, thanking "everybody I worked with this year. Thank you so, so, so fucking much."
Lilly Bell won Best Actress for The Secrets We Share, saying, "I worked really hard for this. I threw up because I put myself into so much Method. I did a lot of stuff emotionally. I really appreciate this. It's my first XRCO award." Coming off the stage, Bell told AVN that there are eye-irritant cosmetic appliances called "tear sticks" that can be used to induce tears, "but I didn’t use 'em. I only found out about them later. That was all real."
Axel Braun presented the newly-renamed Axel Braun Director of the Year Award, saying "The recipient of the next award is someone who made his mark in this industry through talent, passion, dedication, and consistency. He built an exceptional body of work without ever selling out or compromising his voice. When a lot of people cut corners, he chose quality. And while others chased trends, he simply created them. He’s always stayed true to himself, and by doing that, he earned everybody’s respect—including mine. So tonight it is my honor and my privilege to present the first Axel Braun Director of the Year Award to a true legend: Mr. Jules Jordan." Performer Emma Rosie accepted the award on Jordan's behalf.
After Ricky Greenwood won the Best Director (Feature) award, Jennifer White completed the night's hat trick, winning Female Performer of the Year, jumping up and down on the stage and saying "Thank you so much! I want to thank my agents, Mark Spiegler and George and my husband Deacon for allowing me to be a total whore. Thank you to all my fellow stars, may I fuck you many times! Wow. Thank you so fucking much."
When Girl/Girl Performer of the Year winner Kylie Rocket was announced, award namesake Charlotte Stokely livened the wait by pulling down her sundress to show her boobs, then she pulled up her skirt, pulled off her G-string, and tossed it into the crowd. (Rocket was a no-show.) "I should have sling-shotted it," Stokely said when she came off the stage. "Next year I'll wear two. Sling-shot them both," she added with a grin.
Ariel Demure won Trans Performer of the Year, saying "This was very unexpected. Thank you Erika from The Rub PR, thank you XRCO. Have a good night, guys, I'm going offstage now." Best Release went to Deadly Vows, bringing Ricky Greenwood back to the stage. He thanked Digital Playground "for giving me a check to make that movie. It was very hard, took a lot of preparation, but we had a lot of fun."
The last award of the night. Mainstream Crossover or Documentary, went to Fans Only: the Human Side of Porn 1 & 2. Producer/director/writer Joel Van der Molen was joined by Tommy Gunn, James Bartholet, and others featured in the production. "I felt a compassion," Van der Molen told AVN. "Tommy Gunn and I wanted to create something that's very different, that's never been seen in mainstream. It really shines a positive light on the wonderful people that work in the industry. I use it as a mirror to reflect on humanity as a whole. About the way we have been conditioned to live our life in a certain way. We end up becoming people-pleasers and we disconnect from our inner knowing: the voice inside that truly knows who we're here to become."
"It feels amazing, winning three awards," Jennifer White told AVN after the ceremony. "I'm so happy. I don’t even know what to say. I'm doing another showcase, I shot for Dorcel this year, that's very exciting. I've got a lot going on."
Click here for the complete winner's list.
Click here for photo galleries.
Photography by Jeff Koga
