Urban X Awards Return With Message of Inclusion

GLENDALE, Calif.—The Urban X Awards returned Sunday night after a five-year hiatus, with a red carpet entrance and a two-hour ceremony starting with co-producer James Bartholet exclaiming, "We are here to show the entire world that there is unity here: all races, all genders, all sexual orientations, all religious backgrounds, are all together here tonight. That is what 'urban' is ... we are thankful that you are here to celebrate us, this wonderful industry that we are in." Before the ceremony started, attendees entered via the red carpet, posing for photographers and being interviewed for video cameras. Show co-host Ana Foxxx, referring to her skintight red latex ensemble, told AVN, "It was a little tough to get into." Performer Kira Noir, named as presenter for the Industry Pioneer award ("I can't tell you who won; it's a secret") said, "I need to ad lib something. I hope the other girls think of something good." Inside the venue—Stars On Brand, a converted movie theater—a bar at the back of the room did steady business as people mingled and DJ Jam-X played music. Comedian Chris Sneed started the show, followed by the entrance of co-hosts Ana Foxx and Luna Star. The show started with the presentation of the Hall of Fame, with honorees called to the stage, passing around a microphone for improvised thanks, including Rebecca Bardoux, who declared that she started performing when she was 28 "and on Friday I turned 54." "This journey is not for everyone, just the fucking sexy people," Bardoux said. "Keep up the good work, like I did my work, and fuck 'em if they can't take a BBC!" The first award went to new talent Aaliyah Hadid, named Orgasmic Oralist. Best Black Release went to Ethni•City from Wicked Pictures. As Jessica Drake recorded the scene from the audience, director Brad Armstrong invited the cast to join him on stage, saying, "We ere very excited to do a movie with an all-black cast. It doesn't happen nearly enough. "Everybody in the project came with their A game. I urge you to take a look at the movie and see what amazing ethnic talent is in the business. You producers and directors who haven't given them a shot at acting, do it. You don't know what you're missing." Cast member September Reign took the mic, extolling Armstrong as "one of the best directors out there." "For him to be from another country [Canada] and to make an all-black movie. He took his script and let us just go and give [the dialogue] organically, the way we give it. I am so honored to be a part of this," Reign said. Veteran Kendra Lust was named MILF Performer of the Year: "I had no idea that I was going to win," Lust told AVN. "I had no speech prepared. I went up with Nina Elle, because I thought that without the support of my colleagues, I wouldn't be able to do what I do. I hate to say 'I'm flattered' but I really was. I didn't expect it. It was really cool. Really awesome." Sara Jay, winning for Nicest Breasts, said, "I didn't wear a bra for this, I had a feeling ... I did pick them out myself, so I feel I deserve this award." Isiah Maxwell was named Male Performer of the Year. "Urban X caught me by surprise and reminded me that what I do is valued," Maxwell told AVN after the ceremony. "I cannot express how much I'm grateful and appreciate the recognition. I was mentored by the icons. I model myself after and I work alongside the most beautiful women on the planet. I haven't taken this industry for granted and it keeps rewarding me. I feel every bit of love it has to offer. Simply, thank you." Performer Sunshyne Monroe won Transgender Performer of the Year, accepting the award and thanking "all my fans for voting for me and buying my stuff. Thanks to Urban X for even having this category ... thank you, guys." The last part of the show was hosted by Jada Stevens and Mia Isabella, including a performance by rapper Lex Lu and an In Memoriam sequence introduced by Mr. Marcus, substituting for a by-then absent Domonique Simone. Ricky Johnson was named Best Male Newcomer, Ethni•City was named Feature Movie of the Year, and Misty Stone was named Female Performer of the Year, saying, "I'm not used to winning stuff, I'm used to hosting things. I'm very happy to say, 'Yeah, I won.'" Urban X Awards founder Giana Taylor took the stage near the end of the event: "We've been gone for five years, and I need all of your help. We need to all stick together. It's called the Urban X Awards, but it's not just about urban people. It's about bringing everybody together in one room. That's what we've always done. That's what we're going to continue to do. Our show has always been about unity and the industry." "It's so important for us to do the Urban X Awards now, to celebrate everybody," co-producer Bartholet told AVN after the ceremony. "With this great divide that’s happening in the nation, we need to bring everybody together. We're celebrating as one industry. That's what we need to do with all of our awards shows: Celebrate this unity of all of us." Check this space later or UrbanXAwards.com for the full list of 2017 winners.