TEAs Show Hosts Defiant Celebration as Community Unites Amid Uncertainty

LOS ANGELES — There was celebration in the air at the 2025 Trans Erotica Awards on Sunday night, but beneath the evening's festivities ran a strong undercurrent of defiance.

The gala TEAs show at Avalon in Hollywood did not start until 10:30 p.m. and ended just before 2 a.m. With hours like those, you might almost think the event’s organizers were trying to get away with something under the cover of darkness. But make no mistake: the trans adult community has nothing to hide — no one hid anything on Sunday — and the tone of many of the evening's speeches made it clear that the industry's trans performers, trans professionals and their allies stand ready for a fight.

“Fuck Trump, fuck Elon, fuck J.K. Rowling and fuck transphobes!” proclaimed Siri Dahl from the stage after winning the award for Best Non-TS Female Performer.

The same sentiment was aired when Grooby's Buddy Wood accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Fuck Donald Trump and God bless trans creators,” said Wood.

With the trans community once again under attack, and trans people across the country demanding to be treated with respect and common decency, the annual TEAs provided a welcome opportunity for trans adult performers, creators and creatives to come together for a night of celebration that the community has more than earned this past year.

Presented by Pornhub, this year’s TEAs kicked off with a star-studded red carpet hosted by Foxxy, Natassia Dreams and Lindsey “Banksie” Banks.

On the red carpet, XBIZ spoke with performer Ariel Demure, who said she loves the TEAs because the entire event is dedicated to the trans community, as opposed to relegating it to one or two categories.

“These amazing performers don’t get the flowers they deserve, or the accolades in the porn industry as a whole,” Demure said. “But the Trans Erotica Awards are for us and by us, and I’m just so excited to see all of the girls — and the transmasc boys — celebrating how much fun we’re having. Even though it’s fucking hard to exist these days and in this time.”

King Noire, who kicked off the ceremony with a special rap performance, told XBIZ that he was excited to perform for such an inclusive, open-minded audience.

“I was a signed hip-hop artist for many years, and I left the music industry because they didn’t really fuck with my sexual openness,” Noire said. “It’s that hypermasculinity, which is usually a problem in almost every industry except for adult. Which is why I’ve been here for over 20 years.”

While Grooby owner Steven Grooby admitted that putting on the TEAs can be a stressful, arduous task, he said it is ultimately worth it in the end.

“We’re not an events company, we’re a paysite, and putting this event together is a half-year job, but for me, it’s a very lovely, positive event,” Grooby told XBIZ. “The talent comes from all over the world — one girl flew in from Singapore, another from Hong Kong — and then of course from all over Europe, the U.S. and Canada. It’s pretty great that they all come together for this, so we support them where we can. Tonight is about giving them a platform.”

Jessica Drake, representing Wicked Sensual Care, also shared her enthusiasm for the event while chatting on the carpet with XBIZ.

“It’s really important that we show up for the community — especially now,” she said. “We always have an amazing time at the TEAs, but tonight is really about showing support for one another, as it’s needed now more than ever.”

After King Noire concluded his electric and shirtless performance — sample lyric: “Pull it out. Eat it. Stick it back in, stroke, repeat it." — he introduced The Gurls, a group featuring five fierce trans performers dressed in red, who struck a very different vibe.

“I wanna be the best of the best. I just wanna shake my breast. Gimme that chest,” sang Domino Presley, before returning to the stage moments later in her official capacity as mistress of ceremonies.

Presley joked that she has been hosting the TEAs longer than some of the biggest trans performers have even been in the industry.

She wore an absolutely dynamite dress that read “Shut the Fuck Up” on the front and “Thank You” on the back — two phrases that she would have to shout dozens of times over the next few hours, especially as the night wore on and the crowd grew increasingly inebriated and raucous.

The evening’s first presenters were June Ferrari and Austin King, who handed out the award for Best DVD.

“I do love a hard copy,” Ferrari joked, before revealing “Gilligan’s Trans Adventures” as the winner.

Director Jim Powers accepted the award, quipping, “Ricky Greenwood, eat your heart out.” 

After Radius Dark accepted the award for Best Scene Producer, Presley introduced the winners of the award for Best Industry Professional.

“Our community is under attack, and it’s easy to feel isolated,” Presley said. “Our greatest strength lies in nourishing community, and this award is all about those people making a real difference.”

Industry icons Rick Garcia and Siouxsie Q accepted the award together.

“All I ever wanted was to make queer people safe,” Siouxsie Q said during her triumphant acceptance speech, which received a standing ovation. “This is the revolution! This is the magic and the joy that is our birthright, and that is what we’re fighting for. Right now is the time, for all of you know the promise of liberation that lives in our veins.”

Garcia’s speech was more demure, but no less mindful. He told the crowd that the award represents something his dad taught him.

“Respect everyone… until they disrespect you,” Garcia quoted. “Then, fuck 'em!”

Next up was the award for Best Cam Performer, which went to Casey Kisses.

“I guess I’ve got the most blown-out asshole,” she joked, referencing earlier patter between the presenters about categories absent from the roster. “But seriously, I started my journey in the adult industry with Streamate, one of the very first cam sites, and without that foot in the door, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Kisses then thanked the TEAs, adding, “Every model out here is working their asses off, and we all deserve this type of recognition.”

Backstage, Kisses told XBIZ that she was grateful that sites like Streamate and Chaturbate are providing platforms for trans women around the globe to support themselves “in a viable situation where they can travel, make money and enjoy themselves.”

The next category, Black-TGirls Model of the Year, resulted in one of two ties on Sunday evening, this one between Cloudy Vi and Cache.

“Thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity to be myself and encouraging everyone else to be themselves as well,” said Vi. “This is such a loving, accepting and inspiring community, and it’s great to feel a sense of belonging somewhere. Throughout my whole career, I’ve suffered with impostor syndrome and I never thought I was deserving of the awards I won, but I don’t want to feel that way anymore. I want to get home, look in the mirror and say, ‘I deserve that fucking award.’”

Moments later, Bella Joie was named Transcending Model of the Year by Aubrey Kate of the Transcending Agency, followed by Leah Hayes presenting the award for Best Internet Personality to Nikki Vicious.

“Wow, this is unexpected,” said Vicious during a thoughtful acceptance speech. “I’m glad someone enjoyed me making fun of racists on the internet. I’ve been in this business for eight years and this is my first award, so I’d like to dedicate it to all the girls I’ve known over the years who aren’t here anymore.”

Next up was the Transfixed Best Acting Award. Presley thanked Adult Time, noting that it was the first time the TEAs had presented the award.

Angela Longcock and Michael Vegas handled envelope duties, and revealed Ariel Demure as the winner.

“There aren’t a whole a lot of studios that prioritize a strong narrative and building out a universe with each scene,” said Demure. “Even though people watch porn for the acting!

“Thank you to everyone who had sex with me this year who wasn’t mad afterward,” Demure added.

Fortunately, no one seemed too mad at Dusti Bunny when she was momentarily MIA after being named Best Self-Producer. Bunny explained that she was in the bathroom when her name was called.

“I didn’t have time to wash my hands, so don’t shake my hand! There’s a lot of bacteria on it,” joked Bunny, one of several performers whose restroom breaks coincided with winning awards over the course of the night.

Lola Morena won Best VR Scene for a collaboration with GroobyVR, and delivered one of the night’s funniest and frankest acceptance speeches, which ended memorably with, “I need to go. I’m fucked up.”

Jim Powers then returned to the stage to present the award for GenderX Films Model of the Year, which went to Ariel Demure in her second victory of the night.

Demure recalled that it was Powers who cast her in her first-ever scene.

“I thought a John was calling me,” she laughed, “but I’m grateful that's how I got to dip my toes into this industry because sex work is the bomb. We all get to be pretty and happy and support each other, so thanks, all you pretty bitches.”

Double-fisting her trophies backstage, Demure expressed gratitude for the TEAs.

“This is a place where we all get to come together and actually celebrate just how fucking hard it is to be a chick with a dick,” she declared. “The award is lovely and the acknowledgment means a lot, but what’s more important is the fact that we’re all women who are currently living under an administration that is not for us, yet we’re still able to find joy. We’re celebrating hard work that makes people hard, so who gives a fuck about any of the other ancillary things that happen?”

The show saw its second tie of the evening as the award for Best Girl/Girl Scene was shared between “Does It Get Better Than This?” from TGirls.Porn and “Riding The Bride” from TransAngels. Meanwhile, Ember Fiera won the Producer’s Choice award.

Next up was the award for Best Trans Masc Scene, which seemed to wake the crowd up. In a “You won’t see that at the Oscars moment,” the audience began chanting “Boy pussy!” in unison.

“A Hole Lotta Love” won the award and its stars, Austin Spears and Joey Michaels, took the stage. Michaels talked about how excited he was to ascend high enough in the adult industry to be standing up there with Spears.

Presley then returned to the stage to accept the Transcendence Award from noted plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Sinclair. She delivered a funny, heartfelt speech about having been around the adult business “since there were pterodactyls.”

“As someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, I know how hard it is to struggle, and to not be able to afford hormones or the surgeries you need,” said Presley. “Back in the day, you needed to be passable or else you’d get shot and killed. I come from that era, so if I can make it easier for you bitches, I guess I might.”

Jade49 struck a lighter note in accepting the award for Chaturbate Trans Broadcaster of the Year. Before leaving the stage, she made sure to remind the crowd, “I’ve got such a big dick!” 

Aubrey Kate and Tyler James then emerged to present the award for Best Boy/Girl Scene, which went to the opening scene of TransSensual’s “TS Hot Wives 4,” starring Amanda Riley and Cliff Jensen.

“The scene was amazing, and that’s because it was all about her,” said Jensen.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” confessed Riley, who thanked her co-star as well as their director, Ricky Greenwood.

At that point, it was time for Katelyn Luna and Jocelyn Stone to present the award for Best Threesome/Moresome Scene, which went to “Bachelor Party Surprise” from Adult Time and director Jim Powers.

Brittney Kade revealed that she spent two years begging Powers to cast her in such a scene, and the director said he was glad he did, calling it “a great gangbang of Brittney that kicked ass.”

Kade went on to win one of the night’s biggest awards, which was saved for last: Best Hardcore Performer. She was one of four performers to win multiple awards on Sunday night, joining Demure, Emma Rose and Joey Michaels.

After Amy Nosferatu, clad in a shimmering red dress, accepted the title of Ms. Unique, it was time to deliver the night’s two Lifetime Achievement Awards to Yasmin Lee and Buddy Wood.

Lee called the present moment "a scary time" for the trans community.

“We’re living at a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack, policies are written to erase us and violence against our community is rising,” said Lee. “But let me be clear: We are not going anywhere. We’ve worked too hard to let hatred define our future.”

Lee implored the crowd to find moments of happiness to help carry them through, and urged young people not to accept “a world where they aren’t seen, heard or valued,” and where simply existing is considered a radical act.

“Love will always win,” she concluded.

Wood’s tribute followed, led by his partner, Raquel Starr, who praised Wood for ”making sure performers are seen, respected and paid what they deserve.”

“Thank you for being relentless and never settling for anything less than excellence, and thanks for putting up with me for eight years of marriage,” said Starr. “Here’s to a life of never playing by the rules!”

Wood recalled taking his first job with Grooby 22 years ago, while he continued to look for a “real” job. More than two decades later, he still hasn’t found one.

“The truth is, I stopped looking a long time ago because I love what I do,” said Wood. “Thanks to Grooby for letting me do whatever I want — as long as there are beautiful trans women having sex.”

Speaking of Grooby, Chanel Noir was named Grooby Girl of the Year at the TEAs.

“I’m so shocked and so honored,” said Noir. “I’ve been in this business for almost eight years and I still remember my first shoot. I’m so happy and humbled that they still like me enough to hire me. I’m also grateful for this awards show with everything going on in the country and the community, because it’s nice to have a place to be uplifted and celebrated. Thank you for giving us this space.”

After Ria Bentley was named Clips4Sale Trans Creator of the Year, it was time to shift the focus briefly to some non-trans performers.

Olivia Wood and Aiden Starr presented the trophy for Best Non-TS Female Performer to Siri Dahl, who shared that it was the first award she has won in all her 12 years in the business.

“This is the awards show I give a fuck about because this one matters,” Dahl said. “Thank you to everyone in this room and every trans performer in the industry. I’m queer, and I’ll never stop fighting for the trans community.”

Dahl then launched into her rallying cry calling out transphobes.

Moments later, Kasey Kei and Khloe Kay presented the award for Best Non-TS Male Performer to Steve Rickz, who thanked his pal Buddy Wood for setting up such fun, creative shoots.

Krystal Thayer and Tori Easton then took the stage to give out the award for Best Non-U.S. Performer. The award went to Emily Adaire, who shared an acceptance video from overseas.

“I’m bummed I can’t be there to celebrate with all of you due to politics,” said Adaire, who didn’t feel comfortable flying to the U.S. in the current climate.

As the show passed the 1 a.m. mark, those who were starting to fade or raring to hit the afterparties gathered themselves gamely for the last handful of categories.

Upon winning back-to-back trophies for Pornhub Model of the Year and the Fan Choice Award, Emma Rose used her time on stage to warn her fellow performers about the dangers of silicone implants, calling them “the stupidest thing you could do to your body.”

“Do your research and only go to good doctors,” she implored.

Rose, who spent the past year getting sober, made sure to thank her mother, saying she knew that she’d made it when her mother began asking her for advice.

Rose said she’s planning to launch her own studio and to “go hard,” though she expects to take the coming year off from doing studio work to get that business in order.

Avery Lust was then named Best New Face, while Autumn Rain was named Best Solo Model and Joey Michaels accepted the award for Best Trans Masc Performer from Keith Arrows and Nikki Sequoia.

“I’m so appreciative and grateful,” said Michaels, adding, “I can only create great things because I’m around great people.”

Presley wrapped up the evening by thanking those great people, including Grooby's Kristel Penn, for pulling off another lively event that brought the trans community together in celebration and solidarity. On Monday, after all, the fight would resume, as the work never ends...