Romi Rain
XBIZ Celebrates Community Spirit, Unveils 2020 Awards Noms
It was the Night of the Shining Adult Stars at the ballroom and terrace pool atop the W Hotel in the legendary heart of Tinseltown, Hollywood and Vine, as XBIZ held its annual RISE Talent Appreciation Gala, presented by X-Art & Superhot, honoring community spirit before unveiling the complete roster of nominees for the XBIZ 2020 Awards.
The evening got off to an early start, as swankily dressed invitees gathered downstairs at the W’s lavish lobby to enjoy some pre-event cocktails. At 7:30 p.m. the elevators opened to deliver the guests to the rooftop overlooking the iconic Hollywood skyline.
It was time for the red carpet, as photographers from the industry and from prestigious international outlets like Getty Images readied their lenses for a Who’s Who of adult talent.
Jane Wilde, Paige Owens and Emily Willis brought a quota of youthful style in simple but striking short dresses. Alina Lopez stunned, per usual, with a lambent blue wrap dress that revealed more than a hint of cleavage.
But the magazine-spread looks were only part of the tale, as others preferred to individualize their looks in a way more in tune with the eroticism of the crowd. Kenzie Reeves channeled the punkish glam of Die Antwoord’s Yolandi, a pant-less vision of rocking blonde tresses, pink power and pure energy.
The Society 15 crowd also rocked the “we are porn family” look, led by impresario Train, who posed in the red carpet draped by the bodies of his models, who entwined limbs around his sturdy, almost guerrilla fighter figure.
By 8 p.m., everyone was led to the W rooftop ballroom, arranged for a lavish dinner of Caesar salad, a hearty meat dish and a rich chocolate dessert.
The room was packed by the time XBIZ Events Director Moe Helmy took the stage to introduce the RISE Awards. XBIZ Founder and Publisher Alec Helmy gave a brief speech expressing heartfelt appreciation to the talent community, the real honorees of the evening and “the lifeblood of the industry,” and then it was time to hand out the five 2019 RISE awards.
First, ultimate G/G performer Charlotte Stokely presented the Positive Image Award, honoring talent whose reputation inspires others through their exceptional professionalism and dedication to their art, to Romi Rain, the first of the night's award winners to be completely shocked by the accolade.
After the dinner, the party continued outside, as guests mingled while awaiting the nominations for XBIZ 2020 to be unveiled on a poolside screen.
The merriment continued until the wee hours, and the rare inclement fall weather — turns out, it does occasionally rain in Southern California — took a serendipitous break for XBIZ to honor the community of performers, without whom everything else in the business would be impossible.