2017 Best New Starlet Nominees Speak

  Only 15 new adult performers get recognized every year as contenders for Best New Starlet honors at the AVN Awards. What’s on their minds in the weeks leading up to the big awards show? We decided to find out, so we asked each one to send us a selfie and tell us, “What does it mean to you to be nominated for the 2017 AVN Best New Starlet award?” The winner will be announced at the AVN Awards Show, taking place January 21, 2017, at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. To find out more about the nominees in the other categories, go to AVN.com/awards. Kimmy GrangerTo be nominated for Best New Starlet feels a little surreal. I never thought that when I got into adult films I would be here and adored by so many. My fans have been amazing and I can’t even express the gratitude I feel for them. I have had sooo many people supporting me and loving me through this crazy ride and I want them to know that I love them and couldn’t have done it without their comfort and encouragement. I look forward to many more endeavors and I wish the best of luck to all the rest of these beautiful women and men I get the pleasure to work with! Holly HendrixThis year, I was nominated for Best New Starlet for the 2017 AVN Awards. WOW! Do I feel honored to be a nominee? I have been a performer in the porn industry for a little over a year now and never did I believe I’d see this much success from myself in just a year! I believe being nominated for such a position is a blessing. This is definitely a huge accomplishment for the beginning of my prolonging career in the business. It’s extraordinary to think about this position—BEST NEW STARLET!? This is a peak I’ve always always dreamed to reach! I have surprised many, including myself, with my huge leap of progression this year. This title gives me confidence, motivation, and lots of encouragement towards being the most successful female performer I dream to become. Once again, I am extremely honored for all of this year’s nominations I’ve earned. Much love to the AVN team! Excited for AVN Awards 2017!! Elsa JeanTo be nominated for Best New Starlet means all my hard work from the beginning had paid off. I’m beyond excited to see who wins. This means the world to me and I have no words for how thankful I am. Jojo KissNot only is being nominated a honor and something that just makes me happy, it’s validation that I’m doing well at my job. Which is obviously an amazing feeling! I’m so appre-ciative and can’t wait till Vegas in January! Katy KissFirst things first, I can’t thank AVN enough for nominating me this year, for multiple categories! It truly means so much to me, to be nominated, specifically for Best New Starlet because I’ve worked so hard this year! I feel that this will open new doors for me and is the moment I’ve always wished for! Not only do I work in the industry, but I go to school for music production full time as well! I embrace the paste, being a natural redhead having blue eyes and a personality down there! I believe I deserve to win this award. It can only get even better from here! Most importantly, I am positive and confident! Lyra LawGetting nominated for Best New Starlet by AVN is an enormous compliment. I was home sick when I got the text about the nomination from a friend attending the nomination party. I think it cured my fever instantly. The affirmation from one of the leading voices in porn had me dancing around my apartment, despite doctor’s orders. Essentially AVN said that they think that what I’m doing is working. What a surreal moment ... I remember one of my first experiences going to AVN headquarters to interview before having done my first [boy-girl] scene. I was really nervous but AVN had a fun energy, even after they had a long day of interviewing all the new talent. I was the last to interview and they all still had the genuine interest to really find out who I was and what I was bringing to the industry. That encounter set the tone for my career over the last year. I’m extremely glad that the decision I made at AVN that day has worked out so well. I guess my decision to be my authentic self has paid off. Melissa MooreTo be nominated for Best New Starlet means that how much dedication I put into what I love doing has been acknowledged by the people I consider to be the backbone of this industry. That to me is fulfillment alone. Kira NoirTo me, being nominated for Best New Starlet means that I’ve been acknowledged as one of the best new female performers in the industry. It blows my mind that I went from admiring porn stars online to bring one of the girls nominated for this award! Even if I don’t win, I’m incredibly honored to be included in this category with other amazing talent (like my hot Spiegler Sister Melissa Moore!). To be a part of this means everything to me. Anya OlsenThousands of girls try to break out into the adult film industry every year, but only a handful get nominated for Best New Starlet! Wow, what an outstanding feeling, what an accomplishment! Being nominated for me is reassurance that all my hard work has paid off; that I’ve made a measurable impact over a short period of time to my fans and co-workers. The award for Best New Starlet should be handed to a woman who shows leadership, one who stands out—both in beauty and character. There is only one of her! Just the nomination alone is an honor to me. It makes all the travel time on uncomfortable airplanes, all the weeks away from family, and the time spent on set seem so much more worth it. It’s sometimes good to have a little reminder to keep the good work up! Gia PaigeTo me being nominated for anything didn’t seem possible. There’s so many amazing girls in this industry who work so hard, and there’s more coming in every day it. It’s hard to feel like you stand out in a crowd full of your idols. When I found out I was up for Best New Starlet I think I kind of went into shock. That’s when I realized all of my hard work actually did pay off, that all of this was worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my career, I love the people I’ve met and the places I’ve been ... I just didn’t think that I would get noticed for it. I am very grateful to be up along with some of my good friends. I know they deserve it as well and I’m looking forward to attending AVN and meeting the new fans I made this year! Piper PerriI don’t even know how to begin to describe how excited it makes me. Honestly, I am in a little bit of a shock that I am nominated this year. I feel really proud and honored that AVN would pick me. This has been the most emotionally difficult year of my life and this is an amazing way to end it; as well as begin the new year. Thank you so much to everyone for their love and support. Adria RaeTo me being nominated is an indescribable feeling. A year ago when I entered the industry I didn’t think I would last and now for other people to notice how far I’ve come and how hard I’ve worked is truly an honor for me! I never thought I was anything special so getting to this point has definitely been a surreal experience. Lana RhoadesHaving a nomination for Best New Starlet at the AVN Awards is what every new girl that comes into the adult industry can hope for and strive to achieve. Prior to entering porn I watched the AVN Awards on TV, so it’s very cool to be part of it this year! I’m so grateful to be nominated as Best New Starlet, and recognized for my hard work by AVN. Gina ValentinaWhen I first started porn about a year ago, I was only 18. Most people around me did not think that I would even make it to L.A. All I wanted was a chance to prove them wrong, doing what I happen to love. Being nominated as one of the Best New Starlets of this year for the AVN Awards Show is to me the proof that I can make it, that I can be someone. I do not think that I realize the complete extent of what it means for my career to be nominated—it’s completely over my head, but being recognized for my work is something wonderful and I am grateful for that. I am still at the beginning of my career. But when I see Gina Valentina, the sexiest little Latina, being nominated to the AVN, there is nothing that could make me more happy and proud to be where I am at today. Not to mention I’m one of this year’s Trophy Girls. So win or lose, can’t wait to see the face of the 2017 Best New Starlet.