Page 30 - AVN October 2017

WHO’S WHO
THE URBAN X FACTOR
Award show returns with message of inclusion
From left, performers Sean Michaels, Jason Brown and Tee Reel; Brad Armstrong with Ethni•city cast members Chris Cock, Ricky Johnson, Kira Noir, Misty Stone, Eddie Jaye and September Reign; Urban X founder Giana Taylor.
a five-year hiatus, with a red-carpet entrance and
a two-hour ceremony starting with co-producer
James Bartholet exclaiming, “We are here to show
the entire world that there is unity here: all races,
all genders, all sexual orientations, all religious
TThe Urban X Awards returned Sunday night after
Hall of Fame, with honorees called to the stage, passing around a microphone for improvised thanks, including
Rebecca Bardoux, who declared that she started performing when she was 28 “and on Friday I turned 54.”
“This journey is not for everyone, just the fucking sexy people,” Bardoux said. “Keep up the good work, like I
did my work, and fuck ’em if they can’t take a BBC!”
The first award went to new talent Aaliyah Hadid, named Orgasmic Oralist. Best Black Release went to
Ethni•City from Wicked Pictures. As jessica drake recorded the scene from the audience, director Brad Armstrong
backgrounds, are all together here tonight. That is
invited the cast to join him on stage, saying, “We were very excited to do a movie with an all-black cast. It doesn’t
what ‘urban’ is ... we are thankful that you are here
happen nearly enough.
to celebrate us, this wonderful industry that we are
“Everybody in the project came with their A game. I urge you to take a look at the movie and see what amazing
in.”
ethnic talent is in the business. You producers and directors who haven’t given them a shot at acting, do it. You
Before the ceremony started, attendees entered
don’t know what you’re missing.”
via the red carpet, posing for photographers and
Among the winners was Isiah Maxwell, named Male Performer of the Year. “Urban X caught me by surprise and
being interviewed for video cameras. Show co-host
reminded me that what I do is valued,” Maxwell told AVN after the ceremony. “I cannot express how much I’m
Ana Foxxx, referring to her skintight red latex
grateful and appreciate the recognition. I was mentored by the icons. I model myself after and I work alongside
ensemble, told AVN, “It was a little tough to get
the most beautiful women on the planet. I haven’t taken this industry for granted and it keeps rewarding me. I
into.”
feel every bit of love it has to offer. Simply, thank you.”
Performer Kira Noir, named as presenter for the
Performer Sunshyne Monroe won Transgender Performer of the Year, accepting the award and thanking “all my
Industry Pioneer award (“I can’t tell you who won;
fans for voting for me and buying my stuff. Thanks to Urban X for even having this category ... thank you, guys.”
it’s a secret”) said, “I need to ad lib something.
The last part of the show was hosted by Jada Stevens and Mia Isabella, including a performance by rapper
I hope the other girls think of something good.”
Lex Lu and an In Memoriam sequence introduced by Mr. Marcus, substituting for a by-then absent Domonique
Inside the venue—Stars On Brand, a converted
Simone. Ricky Johnson was named Best Male Newcomer, Ethni•City was named Feature Movie of the Year, and
movie theater—a bar at the back of the room did
Misty Stone was named Female Performer of the Year, saying, “I’m not used to winning stuff, I’m used to hosting
steady business as people mingled and DJ Jam-X
things. I’m very happy to say, ‘Yeah, I won.’”
played music.
Urban X Awards founder Giana Taylor took the stage near the end of the event: “We’ve been gone for five years,
Comedian Chris Sneed started the show, followed
and I need all of your help. We need to all stick together. It’s called the Urban X Awards, but it’s not just about
by the entrance of co-hosts Foxxx and Luna Star.
urban people. It’s about bringing everybody together in one room. That’s what we’ve always done. That’s what
The show started with the presentation of the
we’re going to continue to do. Our show has always been about unity and the industry.”
Below is the full list of 2017 winners:
ON THE SCENE | By Tod Hunter
Female Performer of the Year
Misty Stone
Orgasmic Oralist
Aaliyah Hadid
Best Couples Scene
Luna Star & Lexington Steele,
Lex’d
(Lexington Steele/Evil Angel)
Best Black Release
Ethnicity
(Wicked Pictures)
Rising Star Female
Adriana Maya
Best All Girl Performer
Jenna Sativa
Best Group Release
Orgy Masters 8
(Chris Streams/ Jules Jordan
Video)
Best MILF Release
Kendra Lust Loves Big Titty MILFs
(Lust Army)
Best Company Website
RealityKings.com
Best Novelty Company
Bad Dragon
Best Webcam Company
Chaturbate.com
Best Anal Release
TS Performer of the Year
Holly Hendrix’s Anal Experience
Sunshyne Monroe
(Jonni Darkko/ Evil Angel)
Best Asian Release
Nicest Breasts
Kalina Ryu: Reamed and Creamed
Sara Jay
(Jonni Darkko/ Evil Angel)
MILF Performer of the Year
Best Transgender Website
Kendra Lust
BigDickBitch.com
Best TS Release
Venus Lux’s Fantasies 4
(Venus Lux Entertainment)
Best Girl /Girl Release
Little Red: A Lesbian Fairytale
(Girlsway)
Studio of the Year
Blacked
Best Latin Release
Latin Asses 3 (Hard X)
Nicest Booty
Roxy Reynolds
Male Performer of the Year
Isiah Maxwell
Best IR Series
Interracial Icon
(Blacked)
Best Fetish Release
Fetish Fanatic 21
(Aiden Riley/ Evil Angel)
Best Female Website
IR Star of the Year
Riley Reid
Best Male Newcomer
Ricky Johnson
Social Media Star of the Year
Asa Akira
BBW Performer of the Year
Sofia Rose
Best BBW Release
Extreme Plumpers 4
(Plumper Nation )
Best Gay Website
BreedItRaw.net
Best IR Release
Kendra’s Obsession
(Blacked)
Pinkyxxx.com
Best Male Website
LexingtonSteele.com
Director of the Year
Greg Lansky
(See more photos on page 105.)
30 | AVN.com | 10.17