Pornhub Awards Celebrate Adult Stars & Sex Work Advocacy

The 6th Pornhub Awards took place at the historic Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California, celebrating top adult industry stars and emphasizing sex work advocacy. The event, themed "leather and lace," featured custom fashion, musical performances, and awards determined by fan popularity and Pornhub data.

Event Overview and Theme

On March 29, 2024, the 6th Pornhub Awards were held at the Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. The event adopted a "leather and lace" theme, evoking the aesthetic of the Guns n’ Roses and Poison era. This year's ceremony followed a previous celebration held in a Hollywood Hills mansion.

The Whisky a Go Go was redecorated with fonts and graphics reminiscent of the Metal Years. Banners honored Pornhub Brand Ambassadors Aria Nathaniel, Asa Akira, Kira Noir, Natassia Dreams, and Queenie Sateen, as well as Brazzers models Cherie Deville, Ryan Reid, Kayley Gunner, Kazumi, and Dan Dangler. Celebrity stylist Briana Andalore and fashion brand SEKS conceptualized custom looks for the Ambassadors.

The guest list included figures such as Diplo, Ty Dolla $ign, Brooke Candy, and 'Drag Race' alums Gia Gunn and Kerri Colby. Electro-dance duo TRASHWORLD provided music for the event. Aylo’s Head of Community and Brand, Alexzandra Kekesi, welcomed attendees, dressed in 1980s Sunset Strip-ready leopard print. Kekesi stated, "This event is a reminder of how far we’ve truly come. I am so proud to be a part of this amazing community."

Kekesi also highlighted Aylo’s focus on industry and sex work advocacy, noting that the adult sector faces scrutiny from groups seeking to limit freedom of expression. She affirmed, "Despite these challenges, we persist, driven by our commitment to providing a safe and fulfilling experience to our community." Kekesi then appealed for support for The Cupcake Girls, a sex work advocacy group that recently experienced a targeted campaign impacting its access to government funding. She concluded, "Myself, and the rest of my team at Pornhub, believe we need to protect freedom of speech, freedom of sexual expression — fiercely. We value the love and creativity of everyone at the awards for making the community what it is — and I can’t emphasize enough how grateful we are to have you all here to celebrate with us tonight."

Awards and Honorees

The first award announced was the Pornhub Lifetime Achievement Award, which honored trans and sex work activist Cecilia Gentili, who passed away in February. Pornhub announced a donation to Gentili’s program, Cecilia’s Occupational Inclusion Network (COIN), housed at the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York, which offers free healthcare to sex workers. Pornhub also made a donation to the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars. Pornhub Ambassador Natassia Dreams accepted the award on Gentili’s behalf, describing Gentili as "a very special person" and stating, "sex work is work. Trans people are people and we deserve to be included."

Kekesi also introduced Ricky Johnson as the newest Pornhub Ambassador, the brand’s first male Ambassador, joining Dreams, Aria Nathaniel, Asa Akira, Kira Noir, and Queenie Sateen. Kekesi described Johnson as "one of the kindest, hardest working and incredibly charming people I have ever met, who I am also lucky enough to call a friend."

The evening's MC was Riki Rachtman, a Sunset Strip figure and former MTV Headbangers Ball VJ. Rachtman, wearing a mohawk and a Pornhub-customized vintage leather jacket, introduced most of the awards. He commented on the "kind and accepting" porn crowd, saying, "If the world was like everyone in here, it would be so much better."

Special Guest Presenter Julia Fox joined Rachtman to present the Most Popular Female Performer award. Fox, dressed in PVC and dramatic boots, remarked, "no man has given me the satisfaction that my fingers and these girls have given me." The award went to Angela White.

Other top performer awards, based on Pornhub’s data, included: Alex Adams (Most Popular Male Performer), Elly Clutch (Most Popular Female Newcomer), Rhyheim Shabazz (Most Popular Male Newcomer), Emma Rose (Most Popular Trans Fem Performer), Stevie Trixx (Most Popular Trans Masc Performer), Dana DeArmond (Top MILF), Leila Lewis (Top BBW), Emma Magnolia (Top Lesbian Performer), and Cade Maddox (Most Popular Gay Male Performer). Fan-voted categories included Violet Myers (Favorite Social Media Personality), Cherie DeVille (Favorite MILF), and Dan Dangler (Favorite Newcomer).

Valerica Steele received the Favorite Inked Model and Top Squirting Performer awards, expressing gratitude to her fans. Alexis Tae won Top Blowjob Performer Female, noting it was her third nomination for the award. Estella Bathory, a Top BBW Performer nominee from the U.K., expressed excitement about the venue and the opportunity to meet Riki Rachtman. Abigaiil Morris, a creator-turned-performer, highlighted the importance of such events for performer recognition. Keiran Lee, Brazzers male talent, noted the inclusivity and data-driven fairness of the Pornhub Awards. Alexis Fawx expressed enthusiasm for the rock star/porn star intersection theme, while Ryan Reid showcased a unique, deconstructed gown by Briana Andalore.

Performances and Atmosphere

The event concluded with a performance by hip-hop artist Rick Ross. Attendees mingled across two floors of the Whisky a Go Go, with a VIP Brazzers’ lounge available for top talent and industry figures. Leo Vice observed the "star-studded event" from the Brazzers Lounge, noting the crowd and activities. Asa Akira, dressed in a custom SEKS outfit, mentioned that all Pornhub Brand Ambassadors and Brazzers contract stars were styled by Andalore. Kira Noir, also styled by SEKS, described her initial outfit with spikes and a trench coat before changing for easier movement. Holly Randall and Cherie DeVille discussed the event's atmosphere, with Randall joking about the historical knowledge of the Whisky a Go Go among attendees. Liam Riley expressed excitement about the legendary venue hosting adult stars. Kayley Gunner shared her enthusiasm for her custom outfit by Briana Andalore, describing it as "Pamela Anderson but a porn star" with spikes. Alexis Tae appreciated the themed outfits, stating, "There's so many hot people dressed in so many hot outfits. I love a theme, where everybody has to dress up — everyone really went all out and got their lace and rocker on. It's so hot." Anna Claire Clouds praised Pornhub's choice of theme and venue, noting the Whisky's historical significance in celebrating sexuality and artistic ventures. Demi Sutra, while not typically a fan of crowds, attended to celebrate and witness others being celebrated, appreciating the event's unique blend of party and award show.

Key Facts

• The 6th Pornhub Awards were held on March 29, 2024, at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California.
• The event's theme was "leather and lace," drawing inspiration from the Guns n’ Roses and Poison era.
• Alexzandra Kekesi, Aylo’s Head of Community and Brand, welcomed attendees and emphasized sex work advocacy.
• The Pornhub Lifetime Achievement Award honored trans and sex work activist Cecilia Gentili, with donations made to COIN and SWOP Behind Bars.
• Angela White won Most Popular Female Performer, and Alex Adams won Most Popular Male Performer.
• The evening concluded with a performance by hip-hop artist Rick Ross.