MIAMI — M2 transformed into a glitter-soaked playground Wednesday night as the 2026 XMA Creator Awards, presented by Fansly, returned to Miami Beach for a night of fun, fashion, and celebration amid the neon lights and tropical heat.
Nostalgic club anthems pulsed through the crowd as creators and industry insiders packed the South Beach hotspot, eager to get the ceremony started. Before heading into the venue, attendees took their moment on the pink carpet in barely-there looks and dazzling couture, serving up the kind of sexy Miami glamour the city is known for.
Hosts Elly Clutch and Girthmasterr brought plenty of bestie energy to the stage, keeping the crowd laughing with playful banter and affectionate exchanges throughout the evening. Clutch stunned in a sparkling pink, midriff-baring two-piece ensemble while Girthmasterr opted for a cream-colored linen suit that felt perfectly suited to Miami. As former XMA Creator of the Year winners themselves, the pair shared a sense of camaraderie with the night's nominees and winners, setting the tone for an evening that felt like a celebration among friends.
"You know, when I was younger, I was terrified of public speaking," Girthmasterr joked to lively applause. "Then somebody told me that if you're nervous, it helps to picture the audience naked, so thank you all for making that incredibly easy for me tonight."
Without missing a beat, Clutch looked up at her towering co-host and fired back, "And I want to thank YOU for being 6'6" so I can actually wear heels to this thing!"
The duo then shifted from jokes to gratitude, celebrating the creators who have helped shape the community.
"Tonight is for YOU," Clutch said as the crowd erupted in cheers..
With that, the ceremony shifted into high gear as the night's winners began taking the stage.
Bunnydollstella turned the flirtation all the way up after taking home the trophy for Female Streamer of the Year, strutting onto the stage with playful confidence as the crowd erupted around her.
"I'm the happiest girl ever tonight! Thank you to everyone who voted for me, and one last thing — fuck all the other nominees! No, seriously, let's fuck because you're all so hot," she quipped, sending the audience into a momentary gasp before the room exploded into laughter and applause.
Meanwhile, Big Bear claimed the trophy for Male Streamer of the Year, practically sprinting toward the stage in disbelief after presenter Alexis Fawx called his name.
"I think this really shows that there's room in the industry for bigger dudes," he exclaimed before heading offstage.
Backstage in the winner's circle, the newly crowned winner reflected on the emotional moment with raw honesty.
"It was a surprise because everyone else in the crowd is what I would consider a beautiful guy," he admitted. "Six-packs, massive horse cocks — they're just beautiful. And then there's me, this 400-pound dude who's just doing my best to dance and put on a show. And I fucking won!"
Carrie Madsin, who earned the title of Trans Streamer of the Year, burst onto the stage in a sparkling, body-hugging minidress, radiating joy as she accepted her award.
"I can't believe I won," she shouted. "Thank you to all the black and brown trans women that fucking made me the woman I fucking am. And goddammit, there will be more after me."
Raising her trophy high above the crowd, Madsin paused before flashing a grin and instructing the audience to "watch the walk" as she sauntered offstage to wild cheers.
Elsewhere, Isabelle Goncalves delivered one of the evening's most heartfelt moments after winning Inked Streamer of the Year. Speaking in her native Spanish, she closed her speech with a simple but powerful reminder: "Dreams don't have borders."
Streamer Duo of the Year went to Casey Kisses and Kylie Le Beau, the fan-favorite pair whose real-life romance famously led to an onstage engagement during a previous XBIZ ceremony. As she accepted the award, Kisses delivered an emotional speech reflecting on their journey as a couple working in the industry.
"XBIZ, thank you so much for following the industry the way it should be followed," Kisses said. "Every accolade I've ever had, there's been somebody from XBIZ there to witness it, recognize it, and celebrate it. Honestly, thank you so fucking much. I started in Miami, and I finished in Miami."
Some of the evening's other standout streamers included Felicia Hardy, who claimed MILF Streamer of the Year; Crimson Kitten, who earned the trophy for Cosplay Streamer of the Year; Piggy Rose, who took home BBW Streamer of the Year; and BlaizeyBBy, who secured Fetish Streamer of the Year during one of the night's most emotional acceptance speeches.
"I don't really know what to say because I didn't think I was going to win," BlaizeyBBy admitted through tears. "When I first got sober, the first con I ever went to was XBIZ Miami, and I saw how great this experience was. It's been a dream to get this, and I'm still two years sober too!"
Meanwhile, Rising Streamer of the Year winner Gracie Smith reflected on her rapid rise in the industry with visible disbelief and gratitude.
"Oh my gosh, I've only been doing this a year and a half, and my fans really just changed my life in so many ways," Smith said. "I'm so grateful. So humbled. I can't believe it."
Many of the winners used their acceptance speeches to celebrate the communities and audiences that helped build their careers from the ground up.
Faceless Clip Artist of the Year winner Miss Lexa delivered one of the evening's simplest yet most emotional moments after taking the stage to thank the fans who support her work without ever fully seeing her identity.
"I know I don't show my face, but you guys help me feel seen every day," she told the crowd.
Elsewhere, Bree Sky earned Rising Clip Creator of the Year, seizing the moment to spotlight the growing power of independent creators carving out their own lane in the industry.
"It's super awesome to win because it shows that creators can do things," Sky said. "I'm doing everything by myself, creating my own VR studio and creating my own platform. So it's awesome to be recognized."
Fetish Clip Creator of the Year winner Liz River brought both humor and heartfelt emotion to the stage as she reflected on her decades-long journey in the business and her advocacy for fetish creators.
"After 20 years, I cannot believe this is happening to me," River said. "It's never too late. I want to thank XBIZ for making fetish creators feel seen. Sometimes we feel like the stepchildren in the industry, so we really appreciate this representation."
She also took a moment to acknowledge her ongoing activism within the industry.
"I fight for every single word and every single fetish that we can," she continued. “I'm fighting for all of us."
Backstage in the winner's circle, the emotional victory still had not fully sunk in.
"Nineteen or 20 years ago, I was living in my car, and now I'm a fucking winner," River said with disbelief. "All of my dreams just came true. I'm going to Disneyland!"
Meanwhile, SantanaXXL's long-awaited win for Gay Clip Creator of the Year triggered one of the loudest reactions of the evening as the creator processed the milestone in real time.
"Oh my God, I don't believe this shit," he shouted. "Ten years in the business, and this is my first XMA."
Stephanie Love, who earned Inked Clip Creator of the Year, radiated chaotic excitement as she accepted her trophy.
"I literally worked my fucking ass off for this," Love said. "I worked so hard to get this!"
Backstage, she kept the energy hilariously unfiltered as she thanked the fans who voted for her.
"I love them, and I'm going to suck all their dicks," she joked. "That's what I told them. That's how I won. It's going to be a busy year."
Victoria Peach also celebrated a major independent creator victory after taking home Female Clip Creator of the Year, visibly overwhelmed as she stepped onto the stage beneath the flashing lights.
"Oh my God, my heart is pounding. I might have peed. I'm not sure," Peach laughed. "I'm so happy. I worked so fucking hard for this. I did it all by myself. There are no companies. I did it completely on my own."
Meanwhile, Clip Creator Duo of the Year winners TheJellyFilledGirls accepted their trophy from reigning champs Max Fills and Hailey Rose before delivering one of the evening's most passionate speeches about female-focused adult content.
"Thank you to the lesbians," the duo said to roaring cheers. "We create content for women because women need good porn too. I think we're sometimes a little overlooked, so it's really beautiful that people showed up for us. Women deserve more recognition and more love in the industry."
Some of the night's other standout clip creators included Freaky T, who earned Male Clip Creator of the Year; Amy Nosferatu claimed Trans Clip Creator of the Year; Krystal Davis took home MILF Clip Creator of the Year; Busty Bexx landed BBW Clip Creator of the Year; and Mr. Lucky was named POV Clip Artist of the Year.
At one point during the evening, the spotlight shifted from creators to the platform that powers much of the creator economy, as Leah Koons, Director of Marketing for presenting sponsor Fansly, stepped onto the stage to address the packed house.
Taking the stage in a strapless sea-green satin gown, Koons delivered a passionate speech celebrating creators, sex workers and the sense of community that defines the industry.
"I want to thank the entire XBIZ staff that put this thing on for us, the production staff kicking their asses back there, the bartenders, the security, but most importantly, the Fansly creators that are nominated tonight," Koons told the audience. "We have so many Fansly faces in this room, and we're grateful for every single fucking one of you."
The crowd erupted again as Koons doubled down on the platform's creator-first philosophy in unapologetically blunt fashion.
"We are sex work first. We are sex work always," she declared. “And there's going to be no fucking bans for no reason on my fucking platform."
The statement drew one of the loudest applause breaks of the evening as audience members cheered, whistled, and raised cocktails into the air.
The night's wave of social media awards celebrated winners ranging from viral stars to longtime fan favorites who built devoted audiences one post, clip, and livestream at a time.
Male Premium Social Media Star of the Year winner Gattouz0 delivered one of the evening's most heartfelt speeches after taking the stage to accept his trophy.
"Thank you so much, everyone. My name is Gattouz0, but my real name is Yosef," he told the crowd. "I'm really happy to be in the United States. I didn't expect it to be such a beautiful night."
He then used the moment to deliver a message about health and self-care that quieted the packed venue almost instantly.
"Fame comes and goes, money comes and goes, but please take care of yourself," he emphasized. "Eat healthy. Don't drink. Don't vape. No cigarettes. No drugs. In the end, what really matters is your mental health and your physical health."
Meanwhile, BBW Premium Social Media Star of the Year winner Karla Lane brought the room to a roar after presenters Vicki Chase and Sarah Arabic called her to the stage. Chase playfully shimmed her shoulders and shouted, "Come here, big mama!" as Lane made her way through the cheering crowd.
"I've been fucking on camera for 21 years — my career is old enough to drink," Lane joked before proudly gesturing toward her mouth with her trophy. "This is what I'm good at."
Backstage, Serenity Cox appeared visibly emotional after earning MILF Premium Social Media Star of the Year, crediting creator platforms for changing the trajectory of her career.
"I'm shaking," Cox admitted. "I'm so excited because the creator stuff is what made me, what brought me into this business, so it's what excites me the most."
Trans Premium Social Media Star winner Vanniall was equally overwhelmed backstage moments after her victory.
"It feels fucking insane," she said, still breathless with excitement. "My heart's going about a million a minute. I did not expect this at all, but it feels so amazing."
Female Premium Social Media Star of the Year winner Violet Brandani closed out her acceptance speech with an empowering message for fellow creators in the room.
"All of you are so awesome," Brandani said. "Just be yourself. It takes a lot to be yourself every single day. Fuck everybody else. Do you and keep killing it!"
Some of the evening's other standout social media winners included Connie Perignon, who earned Inked Social Media Star of the Year and remained visibly shaken backstage after her surprise victory; Maya Hill claimed Rising Premium Social Media Star of the Year; Drake Von was named Gay Premium Social Media Star of the Year; Calista Melissa earned Fetish Premium Social Media Star of the Year; and Toochi Kashtook home Social Media Influencer of the Year.
As the final awards were presented, hosts Elly Clutch and Girthmasterr returned to the stage to officially close out the ceremony.
"Oh my God, if you lasted this long, hello!" Girthmasterr joked as the exhausted but energized crowd burst into cheers one last time.
"Wow! What a night," Clutch added before the pair paused to applaud the evening's winners and nominees.
"Honestly, one of the coolest parts about this business is that there's no single path to getting here," Girthmasterr reflected. "Some people started camming from their bedrooms. Some made clips on their phones. Some of us thought we were just signing up to make a little extra money and became true professionals at this game."
The pair then shifted into a more emotional reflection on creator culture and the risks many performers take to build careers on their own terms.
"That's what tonight is really about," Clutch said. "Not just awards, but creators who took a chance on themselves."
"The people who kept posting, kept creating, and kept pushing forward even when things got hard," Girthmasterr added before pausing with a grin. "Especially when things got hard, actually."
From there, the party spilled out into the humid night as creators poured onto Ocean Drive for the official after-party at Mango's South Beach, sponsored by Chaturbate, where the celebration continued well into the wee hours of the morning.
