TARZANA, Cal. — A who's who of the adult industry gathered yesterday evening at a traditional Valley bowling alley to celebrate Bill Bailey's life, two weeks after the performer passed away following a tragic accident in Mexico.
Organized by performers Kendra Lust, Nina Elle and agency manager Randy Quintana (all of whom had been in Mexico with Bailey when the accident occurred), in conjunction with Mark Spiegler, the gathering took place at Corbin Bowl in Tarzana.
XBIZ's Events Director Moe Helmy described the atmosphere as “emotional,” adding that “it was remarkable to see so many people together, all of whom had felt a special connection to Bill [Bailey] after meeting him and working with him.”
The event also served as fundraiser to help performer AJ Applegate, Bailey's long-time partner, and his family cover funeral and transportation expenses, either through a recommended donation of $50 at the event, or via the GoFundMe account set up for people who could not attend.
The informal atmosphere at Corbin Bowl was temporarily put on hold for heartfelt speeches by Bailey’s friends and coworkers.
Applegate’s close friend Randy Quintana, speaking on her behalf, remarked how powerful it was to witness how everyone had come together in unity. “Look at all these badasses,” Quintana said, “all of us loved Bill, and we love AJ. [...] In a matter of days, we were able to help financially the family” through the GoFundMe account and the money collected at the event. “You guys work very hard for your money, [and you gave that money] for something that’s important to us," he added.
Quintana encouraged the other celebrants to come up and say something upbeat or uplifting about the fun-loving Bailey, whom he characterized as "a lighthearted and happy-go-lucky kind of guy."
Quintana then shared party stories about their time in Mexico. “He would stop everybody and tell everybody something sweet or special.”
Nina Elle shared more memories of Bailey during their trip to ExpoSexo 2019. “The whole time in Mexico, he wasn’t even paid to do this,” Elle said, “but he was checking on all the girls, making sure they were ok, bringing needed water, or if they were hungry, or needing to go to the bathroom, and he did that out of the goodness of his heart.”
Fellow performer Brad Knight, attempting to define Bailey “as a human being," referenced "Shrek"'s description of an ogre. "He was someone with layers," Knight said. "And honestly, Bill was the best human being in the porn business.”
“Bill was the type of person who would help anyone out, whenever they needed it, without expecting anything in return,” performer Ryan Mclane added. “He was a genuinely good person.”
“Any time we were on set with Bill, he always had something hilarious to say,” said Whitney Wright. She told the crowd that every time Bailey was on set, she would think “Bill is here, everything is gonna be ok.”
Everyone made sure a somber Applegate, attending but still very much in mourning for her partner’s recent passing, knew what Bailey meant to the community.
Other industry attendees included Shyla Jennings, Joanna Angel, Manuel Ferrara, Mark Spiegler, Little Nate, Penny Pax, Christie Stevens, Abella Danger, Alina Lopez, Small Hands, Mark Wood, Dana Dearmond, Gina Rodriguez, Dakota Skye, Francesca Le, Aiden Starr, Gianna Dior, Seth Gamble, Just Dave, Brad Armstrong, Rick Shameless, Craven Moorehead, Archangel’s Gabe, Jessy Jones, Stills by Alan, Chloe Cherry, Kenzie Taylor, Ivy Lebelle and Lena Paul, among many others.
