Grooby's Kristel Penn Celebrates 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards Nomination

LOS ANGELES — Trans studio Grooby is celebrating the 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards nomination earned by Kristel Penn, the company's creative and editorial director, as Community Figure of the Year.

Penn joined Grooby in 2008 when the company was based in Hawaii; their current duties also include serving as the Executive Producer of the annual Transgender Erotica Awards ceremony.

“It would have been an honor to be nominated in any category,” explained Penn, “but the Community Figure of the Year award holds personal significance to me. Grooby, in many ways, is a small business and can’t compete with the budgets of the big studios, but we utilize all of our resources and pour it back into our performers. This includes concrete things like creating more opportunities for performers shooting with us, but also extends to less measurable efforts like increasing the visibility and acceptance of trans performers in our industry and supporting the trans community as a whole."

Penn emphasized "a sincere debt of gratitude to [studio owner] Steven Grooby."

"Through Grooby, he has given me a platform to use my voice and encourages me to do as myself. Without him, there would essentially be no ‘Kristel Penn’ as a public figure in our industry," Penn noted. "To a certain extent, for anyone, it is a privilege to be able to live authentically both personally and professionally. For someone like me who grew up being bullied throughout high school for being gay and just honestly different than my classmates, being nominated for my work with Grooby and in the adult industry feels like being honored for my identity. Win or lose, I am grateful for the nomination and recognition from my colleagues and friends here.”

Follow Kristel Penn on Twitter.

The 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards, sponsored by Chaturbate, will be presented in January as part of the debut virtual edition of the XBIZ Honors ceremony. Voting is underway on XBIZ.net and continues through Wednesday, November 25.

Click here for a complete list of nominees.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Ricky's Room Signs Chanell Heart to 1-Year Deal

Ricky’s Room has signed Chanell Heart to a non-exclusive, multi-scene contract for one year.

Jonni Darkko Drops Evil Angel Blowbang With Jennifer White

Jennifer White stars in an Evil Angel blowbang release from director Jonni Darkko.

Ariel Demure Leads Latest From TransSensual

Reigning XMAs Trans Performer of the Year Ariel Demure stars in the latest TransSensual scene, titled "My Big Cock Cummy Wedding."

Autumn Rain Fronts Latest Release From Evil Angel

Autumn Rain stars alongside Christian Wilde in the latest Evil Angel scene.

Taylor Vixxen Stars in New Elegant Angel Release

Taylor Vixxen stars with Brad Newman in a new scene from Elegant Angel, titled “Wet and MILFy.”

Octavia Red Fronts Latest From Blacked Raw

Octavia Red stars with Vixen Media Group exclusive Jason Luv in the latest release from studio imprint Blacked Raw.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Maria May Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Maria May stars with her husband Jeff, Hollywood Cash, and Jamie Knoxx in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Alexis James Stars in Latest BAM Visions Scene

Alexis James stars alongside multi-XMAs winner Mick Blue in a new scene co-directed by Blue and Maestro Claudio, aka BAM Visions, from Evil Angel.

Charlotte Sins Performs Her 1st Gangbang for Adult Time

Charlotte Sins performs her first gangbang in the latest release from Adult Time.

Show More