LOS ANGELES — The world-famous Hollywood Palladium, site of historic performances from legends ranging from Keith Richards to Richard Pryor, was transformed on Sunday night into the epicenter of adult entertainment, as a throng of A-list performers filled the venue for the Adult Industry’s Biggest Night® — the 2026 XMAs.
If the weather was any indication, the porn gods were clearly smiling. After two years of cold and rain on XMAs night, this year’s expanded red carpet unfolded on a gorgeously warm and dry January evening, giving the industry’s biggest names ample room to shine. Stars struck poses on the crimson shag before stepping over to the interview area, where superstar Melissa Stratton greeted them ahead of their grand entrance into the Palladium.
Presented by Fansly, the ceremony was hosted by multi-XMA winners Violet Myers and Kazumi, who made a dazzling first impression as they took the stage in glittering gold and silver, respectively. The pair immediately set the tone for the night with equal parts irreverence and affection for the community they call home.
Myers joked, “Damn, look at this crowd. You guys are looking like hentai in real life.”
Not missing a beat, Kazumi quipped, “And trust me, we know our hentai.”
“I always say, community over competition,” Kazumi continued. “And if you know me, you know that means two things: I love gangbangs, and I love awards shows!”
The first presenters to take the stage were reigning Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds and reigning Girl/Girl Performer of the Year Lilly Bell. Together, they handed out the awards for Best Featurette and Best Featurette Sex Scene.
Adult Time’s “Let Me In, Too,” claimed Best Featurette, with the cast joining director Bree Mills on stage.
Reagan Foxx, with her arm around co-star Shay Sights, told the crowd, “This has been a project of ours that we have been wanting to do for years and years.”
Added Mills, “This is Shay and Reagan’s baby. They came to us two years ago, and we’ve been super close ever since.”
The trophy for Best Featurette Sex Scene went to Carmen Wilson and Joe Gow for Sssh.com’s “Duet.” The win carried weight far beyond the XMAs stage, as the couple have faced severe repercussions for appearing in adult content.
Said Gow, “We have a little bit of a fight going on. I lost my job as a university chancellor. And now we have a federal lawsuit, because we want to protect everybody’s right to be who they are.”
Wilson was visibly trembling with excitement when she arrived backstage alongside Gow, still processing the moment.
Wilson told XBIZ, “I can’t even tell you how great it feels. Being nominated was an extraordinary honor, and we had no expectation of winning. But if we can promote positive sexuality and the industry in our role, that’s all we want to do. It feels awesome to win. We do what we do, and it’s been a little controversial, so this gives us a hell of a lot of energy to continue this fight.”
Back onstage, Ana Foxxx and Chloe Amour presented the awards for Best Couples-Themed Movie and Best Sex Scene from a Couples-Themed Movie, keeping the momentum going as the night continued to celebrate both intimacy and storytelling.
The Best Couples-Themed Movie trophy went to Digital Playground’s “The Last Resort.” Director Marvin Love stepped up to accept the win, immediately turning a grateful spotlight on his team.
“A lot of them were people I met back in film school,” Love recalled. “I brought them into porn, and changed their lives!”
Backstage, Love added, “That was the first time I’ve ever been onstage, and it felt amazing. I’m so happy that the people who voted saw the beauty of this project. I entered this business because I’m very passionate about filmmaking and storytelling in general. Awards weren’t something I thought about — but this feels good!”
The Best Couples-Themed Movie Scene award was then presented to Vanessa Sky and Ken Feels, for their work with Zac Wild in Elegant Angel’s “Visions.”
Accepting the trophy, Feels thanked Wild, who was unable to attend, then turned to his co-star.
“Thank you, Vanessa, for sharing your body with us,” he said. “And also your very small ‘no’ list, which allowed us to go absolutely fucking crazy and create a really great scene!”
Backstage, Feels expanded on what the recognition meant to him.
“It’s nice to get the recognition from our peers,” he said. “I don’t look for outside validation, but when people whom I respect respect my work, it feels good. There were so many great scenes nominated this year, so you never know how it’ll go — but honestly, I’m not surprised we won, because I knew when we left the set that day that we’d put together a fire scene.”
Added Sky, “When you first enter this business, you’re like, ‘Awards? Who cares?’ But then after two years, you’re like, ‘Wait, I kind of want one.’ That’s what makes it really cool to win.”
Up next, Blake Blossom and Nicole Kitt took the stage to give out the awards for Best Comedy Movie and Best Comedy Movie Sex Scene, bringing added mischief and levity to the evening.
TeamSkeet’s “Step Sisters” claimed the Best Comedy Movie award, with Blossom accepting on the producers’ behalf. The Best Comedy Movie Sex Scene honor went to Anna Claire Clouds, Mikey Star, Scott Nails and Van Wylde for their scene in Digital Playground’s “The Holdup.”
Making his way to the mic, Nails quipped, “I’m going to thank my dick.”
To which Clouds replied, “I’m going to thank his dick as well.”
Backstage, Clouds reflected on the unexpected magic of the shoot.
“We were joking around the whole time on that set, and the scene was really good and really funny,” she remembered. “But I was still shocked at how well the fun we had on set translated through the screen.”
Nails agreed, admitting that he had actually been hoping they wouldn’t win, so he would not have to go on stage in front of hundreds of people.
“But it’s always nice to be recognized,” he smiled.
Back in the auditorium, Romi Rain and Scarlett Alexis took the stage to give out the awards for Best All-Girl Movie and Sex Scene, categories that drew enthusiastic applause.
The Best All-Girl Movie trophy went to Adult Time’s “Escape From Camp Conversion,” and director Bree Mills returned to the stage alongside the cast.
Said Mills, “I’ve got to thank my producing partner, Casey Calvert. I can’t do lesbian without you, Casey!”
The Best All-Girl Sex Scene award was then presented to Penny Barber, Casey Calvert, Lulu Chu, Ana Foxxx, Leana Lovings, Little Puck, Hailey Rose, Serene Siren, Codi Vore and Jane Wilde for “Come Out to Play: An All-Girl Warriors Parody” from Girlsway/Adult Time.
Once again, Mills leaned into the moment.
“Apparently, we like lesbian stuff here at Adult Time!” she exclaimed.
Backstage, Puck — painted head-to-toe in red and sporting oversized claws — explained her bold costume choice.
“I’m dressed as a gender-bendy sex demon from ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ called Him,” she said. “I thought I should rock it tonight because there are so many guys here who need to be putting in the work, and I feel like I am Him. So bring it next year, males!”
Hailey Rose and Megan Mistakes were next to take the stage, presenting the award for Best Vignette Sex Scene to Angela White, Luna Star and Girthmasterr.
Said Girthmasterr, “Thank you so much to Brazzers for spoiling me with the best duo for my debut scene. They did everything for me in this one!”
Backstage, he added: “It’s always such a rush and I don’t expect it, but I’m blown away — and still shaking.”
Rose and Mistakes then returned to the mic to present the trophy for Best Mixed Orgy/Group Sex Scene to the massive cast of Adult Time’s “The Bottom Floor: Second Coming.” As performers filled the stage, the moment quickly turned celebratory — and raucous.
Little Puck shouted, “This is a queer fuck scene! This is a trans fuck scene! This is my first airtight! I matched in every way.”
Backstage, Calvert spoke on behalf of the group, emphasizing the joy and freedom behind the production.
“I’m so, so, so proud of this scene,” she said. “This was one of my favorite scenes I’ve ever shot in my entire life. It didn’t even feel like work; it felt like a party. And I owe that feeling to Michael Vegas and Siouxsie Q, who curated an incredible group of performers.
“We had so much fun that night, and we got weird shooting this scene,” Calvert recalled. “I did an upside-down blowjob while suspended from the ceiling. So I’m really excited that 20 people are taking home XMAs tonight.”
After a brief intermission, hosts Kazumi and Myers returned to the stage for the second half of the evening, immediately slipping back into their signature rhythm.
“Kazumi, did you know that a very young and very hot Frank Sinatra played here on the opening night in 1940?” Myers began.
Replied Kazumi, “Oh, cool! Did you know that a very young and very hot Kazumi got completely annihilated in the green room just now?”
Following more playful banter, the duo welcomed Jewelz Blu and Alina Lopez to the stage to announce the awards for Best All-Sex Movie and Best All-Sex Sex Scene.
The Best All-Sex Movie award went to Elegant Angel’s “2025 Performers of the Year.”
On behalf of the cast, Anna Claire Clouds said, “Thank you, Elegant Angel, for letting us do all this amazing stuff!”
Clouds then scored another win as the Best All-Sex Sex Scene trophy went to her, Ricky Johnson and Mazee the Goat for “Cloudy With a Chance of DP” from Ricky’s Room.
Johnson accepted the honor with a specific kind of graciousness unique to the XMAs.
“Thank you, Anna, for giving me your holes,” he said.
Added Clouds, “The only assignment I had for them was to just use me as much as possible. They understood the assignment!”
Reagan Foxx and Shay Sights then returned to present the awards for Best Performer Showcase and Best Performer Showcase Sex Scene, continuing a stretch of the ceremony that highlighted deeply personal projects.
The Best Performer Showcase award went to Elegant Angel’s “Hollywood Whore: A Jennifer White Showcase Film.” White graced the stage to accept the honor.
“This award means so much to me because this showcase means so much to me,” she said. “This was a passion project that started with my husband and I putting together our first big production, and it couldn’t have happened without the help of so many people.”
The trophy for Best Performer Showcase Sex Scene was then presented to Chloe Amour, Richard Mann and Rob Piper for Evil Angel’s “Mon Amour.”
“I’m in fucking shock right now,” said Amour. “I don’t even know what to say. This showcase meant so much to me.
“Jennifer White, I fucking love you!” she added. “She was part of my showcase as well.”
Backstage, Amour elaborated on her win.
“It was my first XMAs win, and I thought I was going to cry,” she said. “I was recruited into this business in my early 20s, and I never gave too much thought about the awards. After taking a five-year hiatus, I came back two years ago and worked as hard as I could, so to be recognized for all of that hard work is incredible. When I heard my name, I was speechless. I’m still speechless, because I wasn’t expecting anything. I’m just very grateful and happy to be acknowledged — because I worked my ass off this year!”
Back onstage, Lulu Chu and Kylie Rocket presented Charlotte Sins, Derek Kage, Scotty P, Milan Ponjevic, Victor Ray, Codey Steele, and Michael Vegas with the award for Best Career-First Performance Sex Scene, for “Charlotte Sins: First Gangbang.”
Sins marveled, “This is the coolest thing ever! This is my very first award ever, and I’m so glad it’s for my first gangbang. There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more in my whole life than to be fucked by all six of these guys at the same time. They are so nasty and cool!”
Backstage, Sins told XBIZ that while she never expected XMAs recognition, knowing such outcomes are beyond any performer’s control, the win left her on cloud nine.
“I feel so fucking happy right now — this is the best day ever,” said Sins. “I’m a little bit shocked. I feel like I’m dreaming, like I fell and hit my head and it didn’t really happen. I’m so happy and grateful.”
Next, Chu and Rocket presented the award for Best Trans Movie to Jim Powers’ “Transpirella.”
Co-star Ariel Demure shared her approval, saying, “It was hot, you should watch it!”
Powers noted that the project was not an easy one to make.
“This was a tough one,” he said. “And Ariel carried it.”
Backstage, Powers expanded on the creative vision behind the project.
“I thought ‘Transpirella’ was the ultimate trans fantasy,” said Powers, explaining the he took inspiration from the “Vampirella” comics he read growing up. “I told Ariel, ‘If you want to win Best Trans Movie, you need to be this character — because this is you.”
Demure said that the win felt deeply validating on multiple levels.
“Not only were we all paired correctly, and we all wanted to fuck our scene partners, but Jim and I found camaraderie in loving vintage porn,” she said. “The way this was shot, it looked like the best of Wicked Pictures and Vivid — just old-school, hardcore fucking. The way that Andylynn Payne and Avery Lust were fucking my ass, my tits were bouncing all over the place! Plus, I had my fangs in, and the lighting was fantastic. It was the best I’ve ever looked on camera.”
From there, the ceremony shifted to individual honors, with Elly Clutch and Gal Ritchie stepping on stage to present the Girl/Girl and MILF Performer of the Year trophies.
Accepting the award for Girl/Girl Performer of the Year, Octavia Red graced the stage in a burgundy dress, corset and thigh-high black boots.
“I must say, I’m very spoiled to be given this award by such beautiful women,” Red said. “I was very excited to be nominated for this, and it truly means a lot to me. I want to say thank you to all the beautiful women I have gotten to work with. You really light up this industry. You have taught me so much. I hope to continue to please you, and I hope to continue to learn from you.”
Taking home the award for MILF Performer of the Year was Sophia Locke, who reflected on her journey back to the industry as she held back tears.
“I thought, four years ago, when I came back to the industry, I was too old to do it,” she shared. “So I think this goes to show that there still is a spot for us older ladies!
“It is such a dream to win this,” Locke added backstage. “I’m stunned and honored. It just feels surreal. Tonight was the first time I’ve won awards. I had a couple of group scenes that won earlier, but this award is the one I was hoping for, so it’s really special for me.”
Next, Casey Calvert and Kira Noir took the stage to hand out the awards for Trans Performer of the Year and Gay Performer of the Year — both of which went to repeat winners.
Ariel Demure returned to the stage to accept her second consecutive Trans Performer of the Year trophy, immediately bringing her signature humor back into the room.
“If anyone sees a clip-on earring, just let me know,” she said. “It was 20 bucks and I’d like it back. Thank you to everyone who still hires me — all three of you — and fuck Vegas, am I right?”
Winning the Gay Performer of the Year title for the third straight year was Derek Kage, who used his moment to deliver a powerful call to action.
“If any of you actually know me, you know that I like to get a little political,” he said. “The Supreme Court just heard a case last week where they’re arguing to basically discriminate against trans people. Fuck that! Support your trans performers, support your trans studios, they need our support now more than ever. There are also state legislatures around the country that are trying to criminalize what we do. So please donate, or become a member of the Free Speech Coalition. They are the ones keeping us able to do what we do.”
Backstage, Kage told XBIZ what the win meant to him personally.
“It just confirms that I’m where I need to be and I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing, and that there are so many people out there who support me,” he said.
A scintillating Violet Brandani then sauntered onto the stage, teasing the crowd as she slipped off her red coat to reveal matching red lingerie beneath, before awarding the trophy for Creator Platform of the Year to Fansly.
Fansly Director of Marketing Leah Koons joked, “I really wish I had a slutty coat reveal! I don’t, and I’m sorry for that. I just want to say that this is a shared award with every Fansly fucking baddie. I know there are a lot of you, and we are deeply appreciative of you.”
After a short break, Siri Dahl and Emma Rose emerged to present the award for Female Streamer of the Year to NakedBakers, who rushed the stage as Dahl urged them to, “Bring those biscuits up here!”
Said NakedBakers, “I’m shook right now, I did not expect this at all! This is a collaborative experience and I couldn’t do this without my girls.”
Rose then presented the trophy for Female Creator of the Year to Emma Magnolia, who was unable to accept in person.
Next, the ever-elegant Vanna Bardot took the stage to present the award for Best Drama Movie to “The Blueprint.”
Cast member Lexi Lore, who shot her first anal scene for the film, said, “Thank you for trusting us with this. It was such an honor to be a part of this production.”
Immediately following, Bardot announced the winners for Best Sex Scene in a Drama: Alina Lopez and Jason Luv. Lopez came back to the stage to accept her second trophy of the night, for her work in “The Blueprint.”
A clearly excited Lopez enthused, “I worked so hard on this project, and it feels really good to be recognized for that.”
Next onstage were Kira Noir and Melissa Stratton, to present the award for Director of the Year — Body of Work (Narrative). The trophy once again went to 2025 winner Ricky Greenwood.
Accepting the award, Greenwood told the audience, “I want to thank every studio that gave me a chance to work on so many amazing projects — everybody who’s in it with me and lets me do so much fun, crazy stuff.”
Noir and Stratton then returned to present the award for Best Lead Actor to Ryan Reid for her performance in Greenwood’s Digital Playground feature “Deadly Vows.”
Reid scanned the audience for Greenwood so he could share the moment, then let out a startled laugh when he suddenly appeared beside her.
“Ah, scary!” she exclaimed. “Thank you, Ricky, I couldn’t have done this movie without you.”
Moments later, Alexis Fawx and Luna Star presented the XMAs trophy for Best Picture to “Deadly Vows,” bringing Reid and Greenwood rushing back up from backstage, where they had been celebrating their earlier wins.
Said Reid, “This doesn’t feel real. I think I’m still dreaming. Someone needs to pinch me — or maybe fuck me in the ass without lube, and maybe I’ll feel something again! Thank you to Ricky and his whole crew, to everyone at Brazzers and to my agents, Mark and George. This is incredible.”
Greenwood gave Reid credit for taking the film seriously and spending months training for the role.
“It was a good year!” he declared. “I’m very excited. It felt very good to win Best Director, but I was happier for Ryan winning Best Lead Actor for ‘Deadly Vows.’ She deserves it so much.”
Next up, Fawx presented the award for Best New Performer to a very excited Cubbi Thompson.
Thompson gushed, “Thank you so much! Many of you have touched me in ways that have changed my life forever. I meant like emotionally, but I guess a lot of you have touched me that way too, or I wouldn’t be up here!
“I used to think I was too weird to be anybody important,” she reflected. “But then I remembered you have to be odd to be No. 1!”
Cherie DeVille and Aubrey Kate arrived onstage in stunning couture gowns to present the trophy for Male Performer of the Year, which went to Vince Karter.
Backstage, Karter told XBIZ, “It’s amazing to achieve something like this. I never would’ve dreamed of this when I was in Europe.”
The night culminated with Deville and Kate presenting the award for Female Performer of the Year to Jennifer White, who was visibly overwhelmed as she approached the stage in a glittering lavender gown.
After scrolling through her phone in search of prepared remarks, she paused, threw her hands in the air, declared “Fuck it!” and chose simply to speak from the heart.
“I can’t believe I finally won!” she shouted, thrusting her trophy into the air victoriously.
Backstage, last year's Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds didn’t hold back on her praise for White.
“This woman is the truest porn star I’ve ever met,” Clouds gushed. “You will never meet a better slut than Jennifer White. She is the epitome of porn, and I thank God every day that she is involved in this industry to remind everyone what porn really is — true sluts having fun, and doing exactly what Jennifer does.”
Hosts Myers and Kazumi returned to the stage one final time to close out the ceremony, offering a heartfelt message that underscored the spirit of the evening.
“We are not outlaws,” said Kazumi. “We are artists and athletes who deserve dignity and respect no matter what. Everyone here chose this life, and it’s not always an easy one — but nights like this remind me of what’s really important.”
Kazumi and Myers waved goodbye, closing out a night defined by celebration, conviction and a community standing firmly in its power.
