MIAMI — The 2022 XBIZ Cam Awards, presented by Chaturbate, made its much-anticipated return to a live ceremony last night, hosted by cosplay queens Jewelz Blu and Savannah Solo at the Faena Forum, one of the modern architectural gems of Miami Beach.
Blu and Solo appeared in various elaborate anime and superhero getups, trading quips tailored to the many cam performers and clip artists in the audience who were also hardcore gamers, pro-level streamers and pop culture cognoscenti. Throughout the night, Solo added the singular comedic twists that have made her a word-of-mouth sensation on social media and fan platforms.
The glitzy crowd dazzled tourists and locals alike on Miami Beach’s legendary main thoroughfare, Collins Avenue, as they lined up to take their turn on the event’s signature “pink carpet,” before entering the Roman Empire-style domed auditorium.
The star-packed pink carpet was emceed by award-winning cam performer Quincy, in an ornate gold gown, who welcomed many of the evening’s nominees and guests as they arrived.
As the lights went down, the announcer introduced Blu and Solo as “your geekiest fantasies come to life.”
The hosts emerged from the wings as sexy, spacesuited cyberpunk culture icons Rei Ayanami from “Neon Evangelion” and Samus Aran in her Zero Suit, from Nintendo’s “Metroid” and “Super Smash Bros.”
“I have come to blast away Metroid aliens and take down the nefarious Space Pirates,” harangued Solo/Samus. “I’m coming for you, Ridley! Whoa, sorry guys — I got carried away. I’m actually Savannah Solo, but I’m just trying to stay in character, you know?”
“I’m Rei Ayanami, pilot of the giant mecha Evangelion Unit 00,” Blu intoned. “Man fears the darkness and so he scrapes away at the edges of it with fire.”
“You all didn’t come tonight just to see us cosplaying up here, right?” teased Solo, to which Blu replied, “I mean, maybe you kind of did ... Don’t we look cute as fuck?”
That exchange led to a double-entendre-filled flirtation between the massively bewigged hosts, with Blu suggesting they “turn on that Playstation for some co-op action, know what I mean?”
“There’s never been a better time, arguably in the history of humanity, to be a creator,” Blu exclaimed. "We run this shit. We run this town now!”
“Whether you’re flying solo, no pun, or a part of a dynamic duo, or hosting ‘Orgy Sundays’ with your swinger friends for epic content, fans are lining up to shower us with tokens,” Solo added.
After gushing over the sartorial flair of select audience members — “You’re all slaying tonight,” cooed Blu — it was time for the main dish: the bestowing of, as Solo gleefully exclaimed, “The awards! The glory! The ecstasy!”
The statuesque Vanniall and Melrose Strip were the first presenters, announcing Noah Bensi as Best Cosplay Cam Model and Little Puck as Best Cosplay Clip Artist.
Bensi, a crowd favorite, gave thanks for her first-ever XBIZ Award. "I’ve been in this industry nine years now. To be recognized for something I love so much and work so hard doing is amazing," she said. "I’m speechless."
Little Puck, stunning in a stylish black gown with slits designed to reveal her signature curves, thanked her fans. “I’m starting to believe I can do this,” she shared.
“And please pee after having sex tonight,” she advised.
Korina Kova and Penny Barber then announced the awards for Best Fetish Cam Model and Best Fetish Clip Artist.
Best Fetish Cam Model went to an overjoyed Goddess Lilith — wearing a top-baring ensemble, with her long tresses styled to cover her breasts — who thanked her publicist and her fan platforms.
Best Fetish Clip Artist was awarded to veteran industry model Kendra James, who was not available to accept it in person.
Thor Johnson, lighting up one of his ever-present cigars, and Evie Rees — a bubbly vision in pink — announced Miss Nerdy Dirty as Best BBW Cam Model. Wearing a black minidress with matching fedora, Miss Nerdy thanked Chaturbate for giving her so many opportunities.
The presenters then crowned Rose D. Kush — in a translucent number with colorful floral appliqués — as Best BBW Clip Artist. Kush declared herself “so shook right now” before thanking her fans.
Leila Lewis, adorned in a white gown that set off her impeccable tan, was named Best BBW Premium Social Media Star and thanked her platforms, adding that her win should inspire people to believe “anybody can do anything.”
Two of the industry’s top head-turners, Emma Rose and MelRose Michaels, announced the next awards.
Best MILF Cam Model went to wholesome redhead MILF-next-door Ashley Daniels, who marveled at having received the coveted accolade after only a year and a half in the industry, and thanked her supportive husband among others.
Best MILF Clip Artist went to veteran GILF Sally D'Angelo, who was not present, while Best MILF Premium Social Media Star went to redoubtable multi-hyphenate Vicky Vette, who stepped up to the stage in a vinyl minidress, proudly flaunting the colors of the Norwegian flag.
The dynamic entrepreneur/performer revealed she had not expected to receive the award tonight.
“I love this industry so much,” an emotional Vette shared. "And we have to love each other, we have to watch out for each other. There are so many people out to get us and we’re all the same. No one here is better than anyone else — and the people who judge us put us all on the same boat, so let’s take care of each other.”
"And everyone here please join the Free Speech Coalition!” she added.
The hosts then returned in a second round of fully-realized cosplay finery, as frenemies Mary Saotome and Yumeko Jabami of gambling-themed cult anime series “Kakegurui.”
“Hi everyone, it’s me, Mary Saotome, the best gambler that Hyakkaou Private Academy has ever seen,” declared Solo.
“And I’m Yumeko Jabami,” replied Blu. “You might remember how badly Mary lost to me, a humble transfer student. I’m the real high-roller on this stage.”
“The more insane you are, the more you enjoy gambling. Now then — let's get our gambling freak on!” Solo quoted, before breaking character and remarking that she hopes some “Kakegurui” fans were in the audience.
Blu noted that cosplay is all about passion for the characters you love, “even if nobody but the fans really know what the fuck you’re going on and on about.”
“I stan a fan!” Solo declared.
Engaged real-life couple Casey Kisses and Kylie Le Beau then took the stage to present Best Cam Model Duo to CreamyBros. “We weren’t really expecting to win this,” shared one of the muscular hunks. “I think it’s really, really funny that we did, but we’re also really thankful for this.”
Skyy Knox, wearing a fashion-forward fringe blazer over a lacy bra, accompanied a lively Jessica Starling to present Best Trans Cam Model to Bailey Archer, who wore an asymmetrical orange mini-grown.
Best Trans Clip Artist was presented to Emily Adaire, whose colorful outfit included a shimmering rainbow skirt, and Best Trans Premium Social Media Star to Aurora Skye, styled in goth black.
The winners thanked their fans and paid tribute to the other nominees. Archer described herself as “a trans girl from butt-fuck nowhere” and delivered an inspirational speech about acceptance.
Acclaimed past XBIZ Award winners Abigail Mac and SureCakes presented the award for Rising Cam Star to Emily Jones, who wasn’t available to pick it up, and Rising Clip Star to Pink Drip, dressed appropriately in shining pink.
Rising Premium Social Media Star was awarded to redhead Scarlett Jones, in a form-fitting blue gown with tantalizing side cut-outs.
Another cosplaying segment followed, with Savannah Solo and Jewelz Blu playing dueling “cat ladies.”
“Hey wait, I thought we were both going all Kemonomimi-style catgirl?” said Blu, after taking in Solo’s pitch-perfect rendition of Michelle Pfeiffer’s BDSM-inspired, unforgettable Catwoman costume from Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns.”
Solo joked that she "misunderstood the assignment."
"I thought it was going to be like Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman versus Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman, damn it!" she said. "And then, like, we were going to tie up Batman, whip him a bit, tease him, give him that dominatrix fantasy all the rich boys seem to like. It was going to be a whole thing."
Blu encouraged her co-host to continue. “Go on — this sounds intriguing,” Blu said, leading the duo into a tag-team exercise of ever-more-outlandish suggestions.
“I’m super hot and bothered,” Blu concluded. “I think I’m the one who messed up this assignment. Catwoman cosplay can get so damn sexy!”
The final segment of the awards program included Best Male Premium Social Media Star and Best Female Premium Social Media Star, presented by A-listers Abella Danger and Ana Foxxx to ItsBen and Cassie Curses, respectively.
ItsBen provided the emotional highlight of the evening by using his time onstage to propose to his boyfriend of five years, prompting a standing ovation from the cheering crowd. He followed in the footsteps of Casey Kisses, who proposed to girlfriend Kylie Le Beau at the XBIZ Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year.
Cassie Curses, in a silky black gown barely held together by straps, which revealed her considerable skin art, was visibly emotional and shared her win with her fans, telling them that even though it took so long, “We deserve this.”
An orange-clad Daisy DeVille and a dashing Johnny Stone presented the awards for Best Male Clip Artist to hardworking creator Finny, and Best Female Clip Artist to Bea York, in a shimmering green gown, who thanked her fandom for their votes.
Finally, Reya Sunshine and AstroDomina announced the two top awards of the evening.
Best Male Cam Model went to the energetic, motivational and very buff Sam Shock, dressed all in white, who emphasized how everyone in the community of creators puts in the work to be a winner.
Cubbi Thompson, adorned in a blue patterned dress that hugged her dramatic hourglass figure, was crowned Best Female Cam Model, in what she deemed her “most magical night ever.”
The final costume change of the evening saw Savannah Solo take on the role of superhero Black Widow and Jewelz Blu transformed into Spider-Gwen.
The hosts once again offered praise to the cammers and content creators in the audience.
"You are the real superheroes out there," they said. "You bravely take on the stigma of being sexy vigilantes. You courageously stand up for self-empowerment and you rise above any and all challenges."
After closing out the ceremony with Marvel-ous star power, the hosts ushered the winners, nominees and attendees onto the dance floor for the return of another XBIZ Miami tradition, following two years on ice: the official XBIZ Cam Awards afterparty.
