Page 52 - AVN April 2016

TEA Party! Steeped in style at the Transgender Erotica Awards
solidarity and sequin-studded glamor. The
The TEA Show on March 6 was a night of trans
dolled-up crowd was there not only to cheer for
the nominees for the Transgender Erotica Awards
(TEAs) but also to celebrate the 20th anniversary of
Grooby (see page 48), the pioneering studio responsible
for creating the awards show.
As in years past, the night started off on the red carpet
with statuesque Morgan Bailey interviewing guests
while a phalanx of photographers snapped away. The
big names in the TS game came out in force—Wendy
Williams was in from Kentucky, and TS Madison from
Chicago. Yasmin Lee dazzled in a see-through purple
lace ensemble; Gia Darling, Mia Isabella, Mia Isabella,
Natassia Dreams and Foxxy were resplendent in gowns
that accentuated their curves. Perhaps most eye-popping
was reality TV star Cassandra Cass. The star of Trantasia
and Wild Things referred to her dress as “just a bit of
fabric,” and indeed it was. With cloth swatches barely
covering her ample bustline and derriere, it was all about
the body beneath.
After stars and fans finally tore themselves away from
the bright lights of the carpet, performer Michelle Austin
opened up the show, introducing performer Hudsy
Hawn, who belted out a hilarious musical number about
dating that incorporated various musical riffs, including
Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” (one of the refrains:
“Don’t stop believing Craigslist is deceiving”).
And with that, it was time to get down to business. A
star of the second season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Jujubee
is veteran host of the TEA Awards and knows how to
tame the crowd and keep them entertained with saucy
asides. Even though the show ran past 2 a.m., Jujubee
kept the action moving as 25 awards were announced
and accepted (see page 54 for the list of winners).
After an intermission to allow for hugs, air kisses and
conversation, the show kicked up again, with Hudsy
Hawn as ringleader of a Syren fashion show. Tyra Scott,
Jamie French, Tori Mayes, Morgan Bailey, Aubrey Kate,
Foxxy, Dicky Johnson, Michelle Austin, Eddie Wood,
Lyra Louvel, Michael Vegas, Kylie Maria, Stefani Special
and Juanito Blanco paraded out in latex and fetish attire.
A big part of the second half of the show was devoted
to the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Grooby staff
members Frank, Alexander and Luis came up to laud
The Commander, who was the first photographer to
supply original images to Grooby. Each alluded to
adventures they’d had with the legendary shooter, but
said the stories were too wild to tell—or, as Luis said,
“I’m not drunk enough to tell it.” Then the shooter
came up himself. “I’ll have to admit when I sent Steven
a package of photos 20 years ago, I never dreamed
he would turn it in to what we have today,” The
Commander mused.
As lively as that presentation was, it was
overshadowed by the next, which was arguably the
evening’s high point. After Domino Presley and Morgan
by SHARANSTREET
Bailey announced Lifetime Achievement honoree
Madison—known for her site BigDickBitch.com—a
video tribute came up on the screen, with Madison
talking, laughing, cursing and playing both the Ariel
and Ursula the sea witch roles in a Little Mermaid
takeoff. After that the performer came up on stage
personally, earning a standing ovation and cheers as
she delivered a blunt yet loving acceptance speech.
“You’re givin’ this bitch the lifetime achievement
award—ain’t that something,” she said, adding,
“When I came into this business it was to do one
thing, and that was to survive.” It was a comment
that elicited one of the most heartfelt responses of
the evening.
Wendy Williams followed that tough act
with grace, announcing a posthumous Lifetime
Achievement Award to the late Kimberly Devine.
“For all my young ladies out there, the newcomers,
I need you to listen,” Williams said. “It is great
that some of the jobs we have had over the years
have allowed us to buy a new pair of shoes or a
vacation or a new pocketbook, but if you look back
at your history there was a group of entertainers—
Gia Darling, Vaniity, Meghan Chavalier, Brandy
[Scott], the twins—ladies who set the footwork in
order for us to be here tonight. Sadly, one of those
entertainers recently passed away.” Williams noted
that “sometimes it’s too late to tell the entertainers
how much you appreciated them for their hard
work.” After that Chavalier, a 2009 Lifetime
Achievement winner at the TEAs, accepted the
award via video on Devine’s behalf.
Also gracing the stage were an array of presenters,
among them Buck Angel, Blackula, Eva Cassini,
Jessy Dubai, Honey Foxxx, Jesse, Kelli Lox, Tori
Mayes, Sunshyne Monroe, Nikki Montero, Holly
Parker, Ramon, Soldier Boi, River Stark, Aiden Starr,
Ariel X and Brooke Zanell.
The TEA Show was just part of a weekend
extravaganza that included an opening party at
Cheetah’s, the first TEACon gathering, which took
place at The Stockroom (see page 56), and an after
party the next evening following the awards, held in
Bardot, the upstairs bar at the Avalon.
Winner’s Circle Top from left, Rob Yaeger and Magdalene St. Michaels, stars of My TS Student, which tied for Best DVD; Kylie Maria, who took
home Fan Choice Award and Trans 500 Model of the Year trophies; Venus Lux, whose Venus-Lux.com was named Best Solo Site. Below from left,
Eddie Wood, tapped as Best FTM New Face; Dicky Johnson, named Best FTM Performer; and Miran, honored as Best Non-U.S. Performer.
FEATURE
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