A federal district judge has certified a proposed class action lawsuit against Vixen Media Group (VMG) and its associated companies, led by former Vixen Angel and performer Kenzie Anne. The certification allows additional performers to join in a class action against VMG.

Class Certification Granted

A U.S. district court has granted class certification in a civil lawsuit filed against Vixen Media Group (VMG) by retired performer Kenzie Anne, making it possible for additional performers to join in a class action against the company. The lawsuit was first filed in April 2023 and originally included multiple causes of action.

According to court documents, nearly all of the original causes of action were dismissed in August 2023 by Judge Wesley L. Hsu of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. However, the remaining cause of action involves alleged violations of California's labor code, specifically Section 203, which imposes penalties for failure to pay wages after an employment relationship ends.

Allegations Against VMG

Kenzie Anne alleges that Vixen Media Group (VMG) failed to pay waiting time penalties. Her complaint argues that VMG violated Section 203 by "misclassifying Class Members as independent contractors to avoid paying wages for hours that Class Members worked on off-set/pre-shoot preparation work" and by failing to pay class members in a timely fashion.

The performance agreements between Anne and VMG state that she was "an independent contractor" and not "deemed an employee" of VMG. However, Anne's legal complaint cites some of the requirements in those agreements — including those relating to grooming, personal appearance and health tests — to support her contention that the "contractor" classification is inaccurate.

Mediation Ordered

U.S. District Judge Wesley Hsu of the Central District of California affirmed the class action by Anne and her potential co-plaintiffs last Friday, April 24, and ordered mediation with a set date of June 20. The chances of mediation resulting in a mutual settlement after class certification are slim.

"We plan to attend the Court-ordered June 20, 2026, mediation in good faith to resolve the matter on a class and representative basis in a fashion that fairly compensates class members," said Anne's attorney, Sarah Cohen, in an email to AVN. "We are also prepared for the matter not to resolve at mediation and thus are simultaneously preparing for trial."

Key Facts

  • The lawsuit was first filed in April 2023.
  • Nearly all of the original causes of action were dismissed in August 2023 by Judge Wesley L. Hsu.
  • The remaining cause of action involves alleged violations of California's labor code, specifically Section 203.
  • Kenzie Anne alleges that Vixen Media Group (VMG) failed to pay waiting time penalties.
  • Mediation has been ordered with a set date of June 20.