The 2023 XBIZ Awards gathered the adult industry at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, celebrating achievements across various categories despite heavy rain. The event, presented by Chaturbate, BranditScan, and Satisfyer, culminated in Cherie DeVille receiving the Performer of the Year honor.

Event Overview and Hosting

On January 16, 2023, the adult industry convened at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles for the 2023 XBIZ Awards. The Palladium, a National Register of Historic Places monument built in the "Streamline Moderne" art deco sub-style, has hosted performers such as Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Megadeth, Jay-Z, and K-pop stars The Roses since 1940. The event marked one year since the post-pandemic return to live award shows. Heavy rain showers in Southern California did not deter attendees.

The show commenced with an introductory roll featuring a bird’s-eye-view fly-through over the Los Angeles skyline, accompanied by a Hendrix-and-KISS-inspired rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” This segment invited the audience to honor the community by “hailing our best, saluting our heroes and raising a toast to ‘one industry united for adult’s biggest night.’”

Small Hands, dressed in a dark suit, welcomed the crowd to the 2023 XBIZ Awards at the Palladium, greeting them with, “Hello friends, hello Hollywood!” He declared the night's theme to be “positive energy,” stating, “This is gonna be a night of love — love for all performers, of all colors, of all shapes, of all genders, of all fucking sexual preferences. You’re going to clap for your friends — you may even clap for your enemies, just to fuck with them. It’s gonna all happen!”

Small Hands then introduced his co-host, Joanna Angel. Before Angel appeared, Small Hands engaged in a playful interaction with Owen Gray, which included an embrace and a kiss, to the audience's reaction. Angel then emerged, joining Small Hands to proclaim, “Live from Los Angeles! It’s the 2023 XBIZ Awards!” The hosts reminisced about past XBIZ Awards, including Small Hands winning Male Performer of the Year in 2018 and Angel winning Specialty Affiliate Program of the Year. Later in the evening, Small Hands, wearing a pajama onesie, performed a musical interlude, which Angel interrupted to redirect focus to the awards. The co-hosts returned to close the show, encouraging the audience to applaud themselves and hydrate with Liquid Death water.

Award Highlights and Honorees

The awards presentations began with Angela White, in blue velvet, and Seth Gamble, open-shirted and tieless, announcing Evil Angel’s “April Knows Best,” starring April Olsen, as the winner for Performer Showcase of the Year. They then presented the All-Girl Movie of the Year award to Casey Calvert’s “Sorrow Bay” (Lust Cinema), a supernatural drama co-starring Brooklyn Gray, Kira Noir, Victoria Voxxx, Lilly Bell, and Aiden Starr. Calvert, in a green velvet power suit, accepted the award with her cast and crew, thanking Erika Lust.

Kendra Sunderland and Kenzie Anne presented Aiden Ashley with the Girl/Girl Performer of the Year award. Reagan Foxx received the MILF Performer of the Year award, thanking her agent John O’Byrne of East Coast Talent and her husband Chris. Kenzie Taylor and Kenna James presented Best Sex Scene — Featurette to Delphine Films’ “S.I. — Sexual Intelligence,” co-starring Maddy May and Codey Steele. Both performers accepted the award alongside Delphine’s Bloomer Yang.

Violet Myers and Astrodomina presented Best New Site to Ricky Johnson’s “Ricky’s Room.” They also announced Chaturbate as the Cam Site of the Year, with Lana del Bae accepting on behalf of the platform. Charlotte Stokely and Romi Rain presented Best Sex Scene (All-Sex) to Vanna Bardot and Seth Gamble for their work in Gamble’s “Money” (Wicked Pictures). They also presented Best Sex Scene (Gonzo) to “Taking Control,” an Angela White concept featuring Mick Blue, Oliver Flynn, Isiah Maxwell, John Strong, and Zac Wilde. White praised the male talent, specifically crowning Strong “the best anchor in the industry.”

Jewelz Blu and Kayley Gunner presented Virtual Reality Site of the Year to SexLikeReal, with Alex Nash and Andy Zane accepting. Brazzers received Paysite of the Year, accepted by the Brazzers team, including Lea Lexis. Kazumi and Lilly Bell presented Vignette Movie of the Year to Deeper’s “Goddess and the Seed,” accepted by director Kayden Kross. Best Sex Scene — Vignette went to Blacked Raw’s “High Gear,” with Vanna Bardot, Savannah Bond, Vicki Chase, Nicole Doshi, Vic Marie, Violet Myers, Brickzilla, Garland, Anton Harden, Jay, Jonathan Jordan, Jamie Knoxx, John Legendary, Tyrone Love, Richard Mann, Isiah Maxwell, Stretch, and Zaddy receiving trophies. Violet Myers led the group onstage, acknowledging director Derek Dozier.

Maya Woulfe and Maddy May presented Best Sex Scene — Trans to Eva Maxim and Kira Noir for Transfixed’s “Muses: Eva Maxim.” Noir accepted with director Stella Smut, thanking Adult Time and Bree Mills. Woulfe and May then presented Best Sex Scene — Feature Movie to Maitland Ward, Mick Blue, and Seth Gamble for their scene in Kayden Kross’ “Drift” (Deeper). Siri Dahl and Bridgette B presented Best Acting — Lead to Jane Wilde for Adult Time’s “Stars,” which Wilde co-wrote and co-directed with Bree Mills.

Emily Willis and Isiah Maxwell presented Director of the Year — Feature to Casey Calvert for her work with Lust Cinema. Ramon Nomar and Alexis Fawx announced Emma Rose as Trans Performer of the Year. Scarlett Jones announced Quincy as Cam Model of the Year and Eva Elfie as Clip Artist of the Year. Kazumi received Premium Social Media Star of the Year. Dani Daniels presented Feature Movie of the Year to Lust Cinema’s “Going Up,” directed by Casey Calvert. Calvert’s husband and artistic partner, Bryn Pryor, noted the film was shot in 18 days with a cast of 24 and a crew of 30. Erika Lust also addressed Calvert, expressing pride in her work. Daniels then presented Best New Performer to Nicole Doshi.

Performer of the Year Honors

Casey Calvert returned to announce the final awards. Seth Gamble was named Male Performer of the Year, acknowledging his leading performances, directing, and writing. Gamble thanked XBIZ, his wife Kenzie Taylor, and the directors and performers he has worked with. Vanna Bardot received Female Performer of the Year, recognized for her versatility and work ethic. Bardot thanked her agents at ATMLA, led by Mark Schechter, and her partner, Codey Steele.

The evening concluded with the overall Performer of the Year award, an accolade instituted in 2021 for talent excelling as both performer and community figure. Casey Calvert announced Cherie DeVille as the recipient, joining past winners Dante Colle and Maitland Ward. DeVille, radiant in a red gown and gold platform shoes, expressed her disbelief, noting she started in the industry at 32 years old.

Key Facts

  • The 2023 XBIZ Awards took place on January 16, 2023, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
  • The event was presented by Chaturbate, BranditScan, and Satisfyer.
  • Cherie DeVille was honored with the Performer of the Year award.
  • Casey Calvert received Best Director and her films “Going Up” and “Sorrow Bay” won Feature Movie of the Year and All-Girl Movie of the Year, respectively.
  • Vanna Bardot and Seth Gamble were named Female Performer of the Year and Male Performer of the Year.
  • Small Hands and Joanna Angel co-hosted the ceremony.