LOS ANGELES—In recent emails and texts to other members of the Licensed Adult Talent Agency Trade Association (LATATA), two of its founding members, LA Direct owner Derek Hay and The VIP Connect manager Shy Love, have indicated that they are resigning from the association, effective immediately. Also reportedly leaving the association: Sophia Santi and Scott Andrew of LAX Models.
LATATA was formed in 2009, with L.A. Direct Models, GoldStar Modeling, Adult Talent Managers, Lisa Ann’s Talent Management, Spiegler Girls, Type 9 Models, World Modeling, A-List Talent and Foxxx Modeling as early members. The organization gradually gaining more members and increased its negotiating ability with adult content producers, but has suffered from discord in recent years.
For example, in January of 2012, Love quit the group to form her own talent agency organization, the Agency Licensed Trade Association (ALTA), but disbanded it in June of that year and rejoined LATATA. At that time, Love was in charge of Adult Talent Managers LA (ATMLA), but in 2013, she and her husband sold that agency to Mark Schechter, and late last year sued Schechter for defamation and other causes of action. Schechter countersued shortly thereafter.
LATATA also filed suit in August of 2012 against several unlicensed talent managers, and settled with some of them. It is unclear whether the suit is still open against others. Managing performers, whether in adult or mainstream, without a license is against the law.
LATATA has also participated in several industry fundraising events over the years, and most recently sponsored the "White Party" at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.
One of the remaining LATATA members, ATMLA's Schechter, issued the following statement regarding the resignations: "There has been a tremendous amount of dissension amongst a few members of LATATA that has been building up over the past six months that in my opinion led to the resignation of the agencies involved. The majority of the remaining members have already discussed their agreed intentions to continue with the LATATA organization, and welcome any and all valid licensed agencies to become active members as well."
Asked about his resignation from LATATA, LA Direct's Hay replied simply, "No comment." Requests from comment from VIP Connect's Love and LAX's Santi had not been answered at press time. LATATA member Mark Spiegler of Spiegler Girls indicated that he would likely have a comment for publication on Wednesday.
UPDATE: Scott Andrew, co-owner of LAX Models, replied to AVN's request for comment, writing, "We have no comment."
Shy Love of The VIP Connect has also replied, writing, "At this point, I have no comment regarding me resigning from LATATA."
