LOS ANGELES — The Sexposé magazine has named Kelly Shibari "Person of the Year."
Shibari's work as a "confidence advocate" and her status as the first plus size model in Penthouse Magazine are recognized by The Sexposé in their inaugural celebration of influencers.
“For nearly 10 years, Kelly Shibari has been known for being one of the most incredible adult entertainers this industry has ever seen,” said Chris Hall, founder and general manager of The Sexposé.
“Her appearance in the 2016 issue of Penthouse is not only a crowning achievement of her hard work, but a watershed moment for all plus size entertainers, who are becoming accepted more than ever in the mainstream pornographic world," he added.
"The Sexposé wishes to recognize Kelly as a wonderful ambassador of plus size entertainers, and the adult industry at large," Hall continued. "Her work and advocacy which has culminated in her historic appearance in Penthouse, and the doors it will open to plus size adult models everywhere, is the reason why we named her one of our inaugural Persons of the Year.”
Founded by Hall in January 2015, The Sexposé is an online magazine, blog and web channel dedicated to covering and exploring the adult entertainment industry and human sexuality.
“I’m so incredibly humbled to receive this recognition, and what a wonderful one to wake up to!” Shibari said. “There is still so much more to do in the field of confidence advocacy, especially for people of size — and to receive acknowledgments like this certainly prompts me to keep going, both on and off camera. Increased positive visual examples of people of size have shown to increase confidence for plus size men and women everywhere, and I’m proud to be part of that movement. Thank you, The Sexposé; you’ve definitely put the proverbial cherry on the top of an amazing year!”
Shibari is featured in a multi-page pictorial for Penthouse Magazine’s Pop Shots project, with circus-themed images shot by photographer Tommy O and art directed by Jim Rose. Shibari initially made history in June 2014, as the first plus size model ever to appear in a mainstream gentlemen’s magazine, when she was featured on the cover of Penthouse offshoot Penthouse Forum. The January 2016 issue hit stands nationwide Dec. 22 and signed copies are availablehere. For more information, fans can follow Shibari's social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.
To view The Sexposé Persons of the Year for 2015, which also includes 2016 XBIZ Awards host Stoya, click here.
