LOS ANGELES — The 2026 XBIZ Honors packed house Wednesday night, turning the Kimpton Everly Hotel’s Nichols Ballroom into a gala celebration of industry excellence.
Extra chairs had to be set up to accommodate the many online executives who arrived dressed to the nines, gathered to toast their own and celebrate the year’s most outstanding achievements.
XBIZ’s Alec Helmy offered an intro and words of encouragement for the community of online adult industry professionals.
“In a time when the world feels so divided, being part of the adult industry feels extra special,” he said. “In this business, it doesn’t matter what you look like, or where you’re from, how you identify or what you do for a living. What matters is who you are — your character, your talent, and your work ethic.
“But beyond that, what makes us who we are is our culture,” he continued. “We are bold and defiant. We are bootstrapped go-getters — and we can be pretty damn weird! There’s dysfunction that comes with that, but ultimately, we show up for each other. We build, and we push, and we keep going no matter what, just like family does. And tonight is about our family: the risk-takers, the movers and shakers, and those who make the space better for the next generation.”
With that, Helmy finished welcoming the crowd and introduced the host for the evening, MelRose Michaels of SexWorkCEO, who emerged to the sounds of Toto’s “Hold the Line.”
“Good evening, you beautiful people!” Michaels greeted the crowd. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be celebrating you all here tonight, as you’re the heart of our industry. Behind every headline, every viral moment, every scandal and every breakout star, there is all of you: the people working overtime to make it all possible and allow that magic to happen.
“It was only three years ago that I attended my first XBIZ Honors,” she recalled. “That was the first time in my career that I was recognized not only as a creator, but as a business executive. The people in this room have made introductions that changed my life. You put me in rooms I would never have access to and mentioned my name very kindly in rooms I didn’t have access to yet. You, here in this room, made it possible for me to be on this stage tonight, and I am sincerely grateful to be honoring each and every one of you.”
With that, Jasmine James came out to present the evening’s first two awards. The trophy for Cam Company of the Year went to CAM4, with Director of Business Development Andra Chirnogeanu accepting.
“Thank you so much for believing in us and being part of CAM4!” Chirnogeanu effused.
Next, the title of IPSP Payment Services Company of the Year went to Segpay. CEO Cathy Beardsley brought her team to the stage. After thanking them, she turned to the audience.
“Thank you for trusting us with your business and making us who we are,” she said. “We love supporting this industry.”
Beardsley remained onstage to present the next pair of awards. First up was the trophy
for Business Development Exec of the Year, which went to Erik Bellavance of YourPaysitePartner, recently rebranded as Paysite.com. The company’s Kenny B accepted on Bellavance’s behalf.
“Erik couldn’t be here tonight because he’s not allowed to cross the border,” Kenny B remarked, earning applause for the topical jab.
Next, Olivier Tremblay of FansRevenue was recognized as the 2026 Marketing Exec of the Year.
Tremblay happily accepted, and said that he’s been working hard to grow FansRevenue over the past several years and appreciated being recognized as a member of the community.
Kenny B returned to the stage to present the award for Merchant Payment Services Company of the Year, which went to Mobius Pay. A company rep thanked the crowd for trusting the company.
Kenny B then moved on to the Alternative Payment Services Company of the Year category. That title went to Vendo Services.
Vendo CEO Mitch Platt shared the factors that he felt helped his company excel.
“It’s who we serve, it’s how we build and it’s how we think,” he said.
Austin Fiascone of Mr. Skin then took the stage, accompanied by his adorable dog Vino, who made the crowd’s hearts swoon. The duo immediately lifted the energy in the room, with Fiascone rocking the mic and yelling, “Making some fucking noise!”
Fiascone presented the award for Brand Ambassador of the Year to Andy Wullmer of CreatorTraffic, who briefly reflected on having been in the industry for 26 years, before leading a call-and-response of his own to further hype up the crowd.
Next up was the Progressive Leadership Award, which went to Shirley Lara of Chaturbate, who said she loved seeing so many women in positions of power.
“To all the ladies out there, this is for us!” she declared.
Industry attorney Corey Silverstein then came to the stage to present the award for Web Services Company of the Year. The title went to MojoHost, whose CEO, Brad Mitchell, thanked the crowd — and especially his customers — for making both his life and his journey in the industry special.
Silverstein then presented the Executive Leadership Award to Allison Boden of the Free Speech Coalition.
A surprised Boden said, “The execs I beat for this award are pretty phenomenal
in their own right, so this is extremely surprising and I’m very grateful. It means a lot to me.”
Mitch Platt then returned to the stage to present the Team Manager Award. The trophy went to Salima Sawani of Centro/Clips4Sale, who thanked her team.
Platt then turned to the Community Figure of the Year Award, telling the crowd, “Now more than ever, it’s important that we come together and support our neighbors,” before revealing PASS Medical Director Jamey Bell as the winner.
Bell received a big hug from PASS colleague Kasey Warner, who yelled the loudest when his name was announced. Bell praised Warner in his speech, as well as colleagues RubyLynne and Ian O’Brien.
“But most of all, thanks to everyone who believes that health care for the adult industry is not a privilege but a human right,” Bell said. “We at PASS have been there for the industry when the broader health care system has failed. I’m so honored to serve as medical director for PASS, and the fact that this award has ‘community’ in its name means the most, because I love this community, which has changed my life.”
Next, legal eagle Larry Walters took the stage to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Jeffrey Douglas, who has chaired the Free Speech Coalition for three decades.
Walters hailed Douglas’ service, saying, “Jeff never backed down and always fought in the trenches for our industry. He’s got passion, power and persuasiveness, and it’s my unique pleasure to give him this Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Douglas was overcome with emotion, calling the honor “deeply touching” and thanking the entire FSC staff by name during a moving speech that brought tears to the eyes of many in the room.
“I want to thank you all for allowing me to be part of this community for so many years,” Douglas said. “For the first 20 years, people would avoid me because they knew I’d ask them to join the FSC, or pay their back dues! But the people I’m now working with at FSC are extraordinary.
“Thirty years ago, I never could have dreamed of what the FSC has become, and that’s largely due to Allison Boden,” he reflected. “But the entire board of directors is comprised of people of amazing accomplishments, and it’s their hard work and dedication that drives me to improve the quality of life for the people in our community.”
Douglas concluded by sharing recent lessons learned from losing a close friend and miraculously walking away from a serious car accident.
“Tomorrow is not a promise, it’s a gift,” he said. “So take every opportunity you have to reach out and touch the people who you love and who love you.”
CAM4’s Andra Chirnogeanu then returned to the stage to present the award for Paysite Company of the Year, which went to YourPaysitePartner/Paysite.com.
Accepting the trophy, Kenny B praised the industry’s inclusivity, joking, “You can be bicoastal, biracial, bisexual, bipolar — anything but bipartisan. Then, you’re fired!”
The Creator Company Platform of the Year category was next up, with the trophy going to SextPanther.
Company reps thanked all of the creators out there and in the room, saying, “This wouldn’t be possible without you and your hard work — as well as your dedication to showing us your tits and your dicks. We also want to thank our whole staff, from execs to support staff to the payment processing companies we work with. If we stick together, we can continue to build something beautiful for creators.”
Next, Megan Stokes of NMG Management took the stage, and presented Streamate.com with the award for Premium Cam Site of the Year.
The company’s Liz Rek said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the whole team.”
Stokes then handed the trophy for Paysite of the Year to Brazzers.com. Alex Kekesi from parent company Aylo accepted the award, then remained onstage to present the award for Creator Brand Ambassador of the Year to Brazzers’ own Kira Noir.
Noir enthused, “Brazzers is one of the first companies that treated me like an actual person and made me proud to be a performer, so I’m proud to represent them tonight.”
Kekesi then presented the Creator Business Person of the Year trophy to none other than the evening’s host, MelRose Michaels of SexWorkCEO.
A surprised Michaels joked, “I thought they asked me to host because I wasn’t winning anything! None of my businesses would be possible without creators, so thank you to the entire CEO Squad.”
The next presenter was DMCAForce owner Mark Bauman, who announced the winners in two categories. The VOD Company of the Year title went to Adult Empire, while the trophy for Emerging Web Brand of the Year went to ProDx.
ProDX boss Dr. K accepted, saying, “Thank you so much! Thank you to Erika Icon for letting us keep a corner of this industry a little safer. We appreciate your trust.”
Presenter Sana Gaziani then called Brad Mitchell of MojoHost to the stage to accept the award for Businessperson of the Year. Mitchell began by praising his fellow nominees.
“This is a wonderful list of amazing execs, and I’m so honored to be in their company,” he said. “Besides my family, my best friends and experiences have been with the people in this room over the past 26 years, and I love that we trust each other and that we can be weird together. Let’s keep being kind to one another.”
Announcing the next category, Gaziani confessed, “As a woman who leads with her heart, it is an honor to present the WIA Woman of the Year Award.”
That title went to industry publicist Erika Icon of The Rub PR.
Icon marveled that she was left “fuckin’ speechless” by the unexpected honor, and joked, “Normally, I tell my clients to thank their publicist, but I guess I need to thank my clients.”
FSC’s Allison Boden then returned to the stage to kick off five new categories recognizing the human impact behind professional success. The first of these was the Brave Voice Award, acknowledging an individual who has shown courage and conviction in speaking up to drive meaningful dialogue and positive change.
The Brave Voice trophy went to someone Boden said she admires very much: Aylo’s Alex Kekesi.
Kekesi told the audience, “I love everyone in this room so much, and I love this industry so much. I’m really proud to be part of it and proud to advocate for you. Thank you for doing what you do.”
Next came the Pulse of the People Award, which honors individuals deeply in tune with the industry’s culture and values through genuine engagement that has driven connection and progress. Boden handed the Pulse of the People trophy to attorney Corey Silverstein.
Accepting, Silverstein confided, “I told Moe from XBIZ that I’d take my shirt off and dance like a chicken if I won tonight,” and undid one or two shirt buttons before apparently thinking better of the plan.
“It has been a more difficult year than most, and there has been a lot of stress due to outside factors and dealing with AV laws,” Silverstein said. “But these attacks on our industry aren’t new. They’ve been coming at us since before Jeff Douglas and I were even around. Well, we’re still here, and they’re not going to stop us!”
This earned rousing applause, which echoed in the hall as host Michaels returned to the stage and expressed her gratitude to people like Silverstein who, she said, “make all the difference.”
Next up was the Trusted Confidant Award, spotlighting those whose experience, sound judgment and steady support have empowered others and strengthened the community. Recipient Megan Stokes joked that she had read the title of the award and wondered who could possibly win it, since in the industry, “Everyone gossips and no one keeps their mouths shut!”
“Thank you all for allowing me to not keep my mouth shut,” she said.
Tim Valenti of Falcon/NakedSword, unmistakable with his robust head of white hair, presented the Heart of Gold Award, which celebrates individuals who exemplify kindness and compassion through meaningful acts that have uplifted and supported those around them. The trophy went to Grooby’s Kristel Penn, who hurried in from just outside the ballroom, where they had been hanging out when their name was called, and who kept their acceptance speech short and sweet — a description many would apply to Penn as well.
The last of the five new categories was the Shining Spirit Award, which highlights those who radiate optimism and uplifting energy that have inspired everyone around them. The trophy went to Leah Koons of Fansly, who was unable to attend the ceremony. Presenter Leya Tanit accepted the award on her behalf.
As the evening drew near its close, the Legacy Award was bestowed upon late photographer Mike B. Brad Mitchell celebrated Mike B’s life, and led a moment of silence in his memory.
“Mike captured so many moments,” said Mitchell. “He was a sweet, kind, gentle man, and he had incredible energy — he bounced around like a bunny rabbit. We never really know when it’s our time, so let’s take a moment to think about how he captured our moments and shared them, and how life’s journey may get harder as we get older, but we keep our friends in our hearts everywhere we go. Mike was a terrific guy, and his stuff will always be hosted on MojoHost, so everyone’s special memories will remain protected.”
The last three presentations of the night were the FSC Award, the ASACP Award and the Pineapple Support Award.
Boden presented FSC’s advocacy award to Allie Eve Knox. Boden explained that Knox “has spent the last three years fighting for our right to have a freakin’ bank account!”
“She has trekked to Washington, D.C., multiple times and met with over 50 congressional offices so that we never have to experience losing our bank accounts,” said Boden.
Accepting the honor, Knox estimated she personally has lost nearly 30 different accounts over the years.
“Thank you to SpankChain for allowing me to do this work,” she said. “And to all the perverts in power!”
Next, ASACP’s Tim Henning recognized Chris Visser of DialXS for his outstanding service to the industry. Tanit then returned to the stage to present the final trophy of the night, the Pineapple Support Award, to Steven Grooby.
Tanit hailed Grooby as “a character with a lot of depth, care and integrity.”
“It’s not just a performance,” she added, telling Grooby, “This award is our way of saying we see you.
“Through Grooby, Steven has created something incredibly special — a space where trans creators aren’t just included, but centered, and it’s a space built on genuine acceptance,” Tanit told the audience. “Steven also hosts the TEAs, and right now, at a time when the trans community is facing relentless discrimination, spaces like this aren’t just important — they’re essential. So tonight, we’re sharing a well-deserved spotlight with someone who has been a constant source of hope and inspiration.”
Bidding the crowd adieu, host Michaels promised, “The night’s not over yet, because after the party comes the after-party!”
The full list of winners for the online industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Honors follows:
Cam Company of the Year
CAM4
IPSP Payment Services Company of the Year
Segpay
Business Development Exec of the Year
Erik Bellavance, YourPaysitePartner/Paysite.com
Marketing Exec of the Year
Olivier Tremblay, FansRevenue
Merchant Payment Services Company of the Year
Mobius Pay
Alternative Payment Services Company of the Year
Vendo Services
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Andy Wullmer, CreatorTraffic
Progressive Leadership Award
Shirley Lara, Chaturbate
Web Services Company of the Year
MojoHost
Executive Leadership Award
Allison Boden, FSC
Team Manager of the Year
Salima Sawani, Centro/Clips4Sale
Community Figure of the Year
Jamey Bell, PASS
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jeffrey Douglas
Paysite Company Site of the Year
YourPaysitePartner/Paysite.com
Creator Company Platform of the Year
SextPanther
Premium Cam Site of the Year
Streamate.com
Paysite of the Year
Brazzers.com
Creator Brand Ambassador of the Year
Kira Noir, Brazzers
Creator Businessperson of the Year
MelRose Michaels, SexWorkCEO
VOD Company of the Year
Adult Empire
Emerging Web Brand of the Year
ProDx
Businessperson of the Year
Brad Mitchell, MojoHost
WIA Woman of the Year
Erika Icon, The Rub PR
Brave Voice Award
Alex Kekesi
Pulse of the People Award
Corey Silverstein
Trusted Confidant Award
Megan Stokes
Heart of Gold Award
Kristel Penn
Shining Spirit Award
Leah Koons, Fansly
Legacy Award
Mike B.
FSC Award
Allie Eve Knox
ASACP Award
Chris Visser
Pineapple Support Award
Steven Grooby
