LAS VEGAS—With just a little time left during the 2025 AVN Awards ceremony on Jan. 25 at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, scores of performers and fans made an exodus to the Skybox to not only make toasts to career success but also to pick up their AVN trophies.
For many of the performers who won awards that were not presented on the stage, the Skybox was a place for celebration with a mix of cocktails, music and an AVN trophy.
From industry veterans to newcomers, the community relived the momentous night of honors.
For example, Leslie Winston, an inductee into the video branch of the AVN Hall of Fame, told AVN that she feels validated after decades of service in this field.
"Actually, it feels so good because it’s been 40 years," she said as we caught her receiving her trophy from the AVN staff. “I really appreciate everybody that though to put my name on the table [this year], so I am really appreciative.”
Dan Dangler, voted Hottest Porn Newcomer by her fans, is just at the beginning of her career—and she’s already bringing home hardware.
"It's insane! I can't believe I won! I'm super, super happy," Dangler said. "I can't believe I have this! But I think that we all deserve to be recognized for our work. I think we all deserve to be recognized for how far we've come in our journeys."
Another performer who wasn’t expecting such a degree of success in the fan-voting awards was Angela White, who swept virtually every fan nomination she was named in.
White won for her Hottest All-Girl Creator Collab alongside co-star Slimthick Vic; Favorite Female Porn Star; Most Spectacular Boobs; Hottest Boy/Girl Creator Collab with her co-star Girthmasterr; and Favorite Porn Star Creator.
"It feel's absolutely incredible...to win every fan-voted category I was nominated in," explained White. "My fans really came out to vote for me which was really incredible. I really do have the best fans."
She also won best Best Star Showcase for Fuck Angela from AGW/Girlfriends Films and for her role in “20 for 20” for Brazzers that won Best Foursome/Orgy Scene.
Attached to the “20 for 20” scene was male star Hollywood Cash.
Cash was honored for his role in “Learning How to Reid” for Brazzers alongside Mick Blue and Ryan Reid, which won Best Double-Penetration Sex Scene, and for his work in "Anna Claire Clouds Dark Side – Part 4: 9-Man Gang Bang Challenge” for Jules Jordan Video, which won Best Gangbang Scene.
"It feels amazing to get multiple wins tonight," Cash told AVN while receiving his trophies. "I’m excited.”
He also took the opportunity to express his love and support for the memory of his friend and fellow performer, Jay Hefner, who passed away in September 2024.
Ariel Demure and Brittney Kade enjoyed a memorable night of honors.
Demure won Best Trans Acting Performance for her leading role in Gorgons & Goddesses.
"I feel fierce and formidable and ready for battle,” Demure said. "I am so grateful to be able to accept an award on behalf of the trans community. Regardless of whose name is on the trophy, this is an award for all of us. And to have brothers and sisters in arms standing with us, all fighting the good fight, it means the world to me."
Gorgons & Goddesses was also honored with Best Trans Group Sex Scene—for the performance of Emma Rose, Eva Maxim, Izzy Wilde, Jade Venus, Kasey Kei, Khloe Kay, Leilani Li, Foxxy, Tori Easton, Demure and Brittney Kade, who also won the award for Trans Performer of the Year.
As Kade celebrated with her colleagues, she told AVN, “It is an amazing feeling to be recognized for all of my hard work. I feel like I've made a touchdown, and I've crossed a finish line, in a way. This is a really fulfilling moment in my life and my career right now. I'm on cloud nine right now."
Kasey Kei, who won alongside Kade and Demure for Gorgons & Goddesses, praised this year’s show. “I feel like trans people were definitely seen this year,” said Kei.
Leilani Li, who was also honored for Gorgons, added, “I feel very good. I feel very honored. I feel very included."
Part of the celebrating crowd with Kade was Angellica Good, who won the fan-voted award for Hottest Trans Creator Collab alongside her.
"This was such a good AVN, and I got to share an award with my best friend," Good said, speaking of Kade. This was also an initial AVN win for her.
This transcendent feeling of joy was also shared by MILF Performer of the Year Cherie DeVille. All the words DeVille had to share about how she felt were “insane, amazing, and epic." DeVille explained, "I am so excited, especially with like how MILF is the real OGs of this industry. To win is surreal. Thank you, AVN, thank you, Brazzers."
DeVille added, "I just love you all!”
On the other end of the camera, the Grand Reel was awarded to the team led by director Ricky Greenwood for their work on Digital Playground’s feature Gold Diggers.
"It was great to win," said Greenwood. “Being on stage in front of my peers was amazing...This is a lot of work. You have got to be able to do a lot of work. It’s a lot of sacrifice and it's long hours. You have to be willing to push yourself to your limits and surround yourself by good people, good friends, so you can share that duty.
"That's really important—all the people that work with me win an award."
Greenwood and his team enjoyed several wins in the technical categories with their various projects. He captured Outstanding Directing - Individual Work, Best Directing Portfolio -Varied Range, and Best Cinematography.
Serbian-born star Milan Ponjevic also had a lot of pride for a successful night of wins. He won the fan-voted award for Favorite Male Porn Star. In a brief interview, he called himself a “national hero” and a true celebrity. Ponjevic explained, "I got to late-night shows, podcasts, music videos, commercials for TV."
Now, he has three AVN Awards to share with his countrymen.
