A Golden Night in Amsterdam: the XBIZ 2023 Europa Awards Brought Hollywood Glitz to the Old World

AMSTERDAM — Over 1,000 of the top luminaries of the European adult industry and their guests filled the Dutch capital’s monumental, state-of-the-art Theater Amsterdam to capacity on Tuesday to celebrate the 2023 XBIZ Europa Awards, presented by F2F.

The scale of the unprecedented event for European industry standards was in everyone’s mouths before entering the hall, while walking the Red Carpet, during the show and later at the revelry-filled afterparty in the same modern entertainment complex.

“XBIZ finally brought the Hollywood style to Amsterdam,” was the general consensus, comparing the first edition of the Europas to take place in the Netherlands after several years in Berlin to the January Los Angeles shows, which for the last two years have taken place in the historic showbiz mecca of the Palladium.

The over 1,000 red velvet seats faced an epic, Cinerama-style video screen that surrounded the stage area and filled the background of the ceremony with gilded motion graphics heralding this latest installment XBIZ Europa Awards.

From the moment the crowd strode forth into the building, it was full-on American-style glamour imported across the pond and plopped right in the middle of the generally more staid (with notorious “Red Light” exemptions) cultural environment of the Old World city.

A throng of reporters, photographers and videographers from the international press stood before the Red Carpet, engaging with almost everyone in attendance who wanted a picture at their glamorous best.

Making good use of his signature charm and bonhommie, US expat impresario, producer, director and performer Dan Leal hosted video interviews with the top performers before they made way to the bar area that occupies the front part of the gigantic Theater Amsterdam complex.

As the time of the award-bestowing approached, the crowd was led into the theater itself, where the massive video projections engulfed the crowd in a visual orgy of gold-hued images soundtracked by the pulsating, hard-pounding vintage hard rock medley that has grown from a one-off thing years ago into an expected pre-show feature of all XBIZ live events.

As the rocking soundtrack gave way to the also-customary anticipatory drone, the evening’s hosts, noted European stars and XBIZ Award Winners Danny D and Jia Lissa walked onstage to general elation, he in a James Bond-like tux and Lissa in a green gown — the first of the night’s many redheaded head-turners who opted for the traditional green-red combination one literally cannot go wrong with when planning a party ensemble.

When Lissa asked her stage partner to marvel at all the amazing outfits on sight, Danny D. quipped “They do look amazing, don’t they? I didn’t even realize half of these people even own clothes. I barely recognize them.”

The first presenter of the evening was XBIZ Europa Award winner Misha Cross, stunning in a skintight cream gown with black gloves. Fabric (or vinyl) as close as humanly possible to the incredible physiques of the talent was, in fact, a repeated fashion motif of the evening.

The first award announced by Cross was for Best Sex Scene – Glamcore, which went to Agatha Vega, Alberto Blanco and Rae Lil Black, for Vixen’s “24 Hours.” The two former took the stage to receive it, the petite Vega sporting what was easily the most striking outfit of the evening: an extremely fashion-forward, avant-garde transparent dress made of interlocking plastic plaques, designed by Jivomir Domoustchiev, known for dressing such mainstream and alternative icons as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Peaches, Jennifer Lopez and many others.

“I don’t know what to say,” Vega offered. “Thanks so much. I just love to be recognized for an amazing job and this amazing performance.”

Cross — who revealed this was her favorite category — then announced the winners for Best Sex Scene – Lesbian: Amirah Adara, Tiffany Tatum and Veronica Real for “Marla” a title from emerging powerhouse studio Parasited, another striking sci-fi concept from visionary director/producer Romero.

Best pals onscreen and also IRL Adara — in a transparent gold slip over black lingerie — and Tatum — in a deconstructed teal princess gown — came up to receive the trophies laughing and hugging each other and joyously drafting Cross into their celebration.

“We love you all, thank you so much,” the inseparable pair said in unison.

The next presenter was XBIZ Europa winner Zaawaadi, striking as always in a shimmering red gown. The iconic, celebrated German-African Euro performer announced the awards for Innovative Sex Toy of the Year, Kiiroo’s Keon Sex Machine, and for Sex Toy of the Year, Love to Love’s Dildolls Utopia.

“It’s really nice to see our hard work in the tech industry getting recognized, and we’re really happy to be able to give you fun tech to use on cam,” offered the Kiiroo representative accepting the award.

La Clef des Charmes’ Céline Menting accepted the Sex Toy of the Year award on behalf of Love to Love’s creators of progressive adult procuts.

“I’m one of their customers,” said Menting, “and Utopia is one of my best sellers. So, Thank you.”

The next presenters were Catherine Knight and Josephine Jackson, who announced the Performer/Director Site of the Year award winner as ImmoralLive.com, the site that brought U.S. style porn production to Europe when Dan Leal moved to the Old Continent.

Leal received the award, thanking the European adult community for coming to the ceremony.

“I remember six years ago when I got the idea for this show, and I told Alec Helmy, and we started off small and little in Berlin and now there’s over 1,000 of you here and just want to say thank you all so much,” Leal told the crowd, adding his oft-repeated assertion that “This is the best time ever to be in this industry!”

Knight and Jackson announced the Erotic Site of the Year win to glamcore powerhouse SexArt.com.

The next presenter was noted performer and site owner Mariska, who also opted for another of the night’s favorite colors, red. Mariska announced Rouge Garments as the BDSM Pleasure Brand of the Year, and the award was received by Farah Shaikh, who said she was shocked but thanked XBIZ very much for their support.

Mariska then announced the winner in the Retailer of the Year (1-2 Stores) category, N69.pl. The award was received by Kamila Hrecka, who expressed her gratitude and delight at being at the ceremony.

The winner for Online Retailer of the Year – Boutique was Lulapink.pl. Lulapink’s Agata Grzeskowiak used the chance to confirm her brand’s “girly, queer, rebellious and tongue-in-cheek” ethos and her commitment to fighting shame, noting the company had its anniversary the day before the show and telling the industry crowd that “the struggle is real, and we have to keep on fighting.”

“It’s so good to feel seen,” Grzeskowiak added.

Backed by the evening’s trophy girls, Lisa Belys — in an impossibly skintight, appropriately Classic Hollywood-style white dress — and Anna Braun, the next presenter was exactly what the crowd needed mid-show to hype itself up. The irrepressible Sabien Demonia overflowing as always with positive energy — and also overflowing out of her cleavage-busting black dress, saluted the audience with a “Hello beautiful people of Europe! Heeyyyy! You all very sexy — but now we have to find out who the nominees for after nominees Glamcore Movie of the Year are.”

Before opening the envelope, Demonia teased the crowd into getting more amped up, only revealing the winner, Vixen’s “24 Hours,” after they had shown what she considered as an appropriate level of excitement.

It was the first — but not the last — win of the evening for Vixen and JulModels superagent, producer, director and major Euro industry player Julia Grandi, who took the stage in a luxurious black silk suit with white piping, bracketed by a a striking, jewel-festooned necklace and green shoes.

“I think it’s a tradition that I give this beautiful lady over there another trophy!” Demonia quipped, referring to Grandi’s numerous XBIZ wins for herself, her movies and models in the past years.

“Thank you everyone,” Grandi said. “Thank you my team and my family for the support. I love you. Thank you, my performers!”

The next presenter was Dani Daniels — another “red lady” of the evening, in a dark burgundy gown — who announced PayBig as the Paysite Network/Company of the Year and LetsDoeIt.com as the Paysite of the Year.

The hosts returned for another comedy innuendo-filled comedy intervention that culminated with Danny D telling Lissa about his James Bond fantasy where she’d be “the Russian temptress trying to make me drop my drawers so that I can find the microchip hidden on my person.”

The next presenters, Nancy Ace and Angelika Grays, in almost-matching blue and black skintight gowns, revealed two back-to-back categories in which the co-hosts turned out the be the co-winners: Best Sex Scene – Gonzo, which went to Jia Lissa and Christian Clay for their Tushy Raw scene “Irresistible Impulse;” and Lana Wolf and Danny D for their scenes in the Digital Playground sci-fi romp “Pornstars in Space.”

A visibly moved-to-tears Lissa said, “I honestly don’t even need this award because being part of this amazing community already makes me a winner,” and also thanked Julia Grandi and “the Vixen team that made it all possible and support me so we can create together. I love you guys.”

Ceding the floor to his scene partner, Danny D stood by beaming with pride while Wolf revealed that “Pornstars in Space” was her first ever mainstream professional scene.

“And what an honor to have won,” she added. “Thank you XBIZ and thank you Danny for letting me be part of this amazing concept.”

The categories Emerging Web Brand and Cam Site of the Year were announced by Eva Elfie and Evie Rees, the latter wearing her unmistakable pink finery and hair.

The Emerging Web Brand winner was F2F.com, with its representative proudly touting that the site was “co-founded and co-owned by creators like Sepanta Arya, sitting over there.”

“We’re very proud to have this recognition,” he added. “I’m also extremely proud with our very talented and innovative developers, our amazing creative support managers, who make a difference for creators every day.”

Cam Site of the Year was BongaCams.com, represented by several team members onstage, all repping the brand’s burgundy color scheme, who reminded the crowd about the real meaning of the trophy: “This victory means so much to us because it means we’re doing something right for our beautiful models, for our studios and for our partners.”

XBIZ Europa winner Scarlett Jones, in a pearly blue and white dress, and the effortlessly charming Ricky Johnson took the stage next to present the award for best acting.

The winner was Nicole Kitt, for her turn as Diana in Lust Cinema’s romantic comedy “The Wedding.” The American-in-Europe performer dazzled in a black and gold outfit with serious 1980s “Dynasty” luxury vibes.

“Oh my God,” a shocked Kitt started “Hi! I just want to say thank you to Lust Cinema. To Erica Lust for adopting me into your beautiful family — and for revolutionizing porn.” Kitt also thanked her agency, OC Modeling, and her partner, before concluding, “And yeah, this is literally the best thing ever fucking happened in my life. And I’m over the fucking moon. Thank you XBIZ. Thank you everyone. I love you guys.”

The next award was the coveted, highly competitive trophy for Director of the Year. It was Julia Grandi’s second win for the evening and she returned to the stage surrounded by many of her collaborators.

“I am super happy to win this for the fourth year in a row, and I hope for more,” Grandi told the audience. “Thanks to my hardworking team, and I’m super happy to be here with you guys.”

Presenters MelRose Michaels and Cassie Curses, both outstanding creators, announced the much anticipated Cam Model, Clip Artist and Premium Social Media Star of the Year winners.

Jessica D, in a diaphanous backless gown that displayed her stunning back tattoos, gave a quick thanks letting her very presence — self-described as “British, bangs boobs and bush. What more do you need?” — do the talking.

Clip Artist of the Year winner Reislin — in a provocative cleavage and underboob baring dark short dress — was equally succinct but expressed herself non-verbally by jumping up and down and hollering in joy.

Fan and colleague-favorite Rebecca Goodwin — another redhead-in-green in a shoulder-baring gown — accepted her win for Premium Social Media star in elation.

“I was going to say I wasn’t expecting this, but I can’t because I’ve been begging for this on social media so hard! So this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me — but don’t tell my kids I said that, alright?”

The final stretch of major awards approached as award XBIZ-award winning performer director and creator Jessica Stoya, marching to her own fashion step in a Marlene Dietrich-worthy tie-less tux, announced Lust Cinema’s “The Wedding” as the Feature Movie of the Year. Erika Lust, in a black and white geometric dress, went up with the film’s star, brand new XBIZ Europa Best Acting winner Nicole Kitt, and shared her emotions about the win.

“Thank you, thank you XBIZ,” Lust said. “I’m very happy for this. You are always nervous or you’re sitting there you don’t know, even if you love the movie. Thank you, Nicole. I don’t know if Jason Steel is here. Thank you, Dante Colle. And Romy Fury, Maria Riot, Panterino — a wonderful ensemble. Thank you to my crew, who’s not here tonight, but it’s the best crew in the world. And to my wonderful staff back in Barcelona. And everybody who’s working for Erika Lust. And watch the wedding. It’s a really good movie.”

Stoya then announced Vixen exclusive performer Kelly Collins as Best New Performer. The blonde up-and-comer, in a bright red skintight dress, thanked the Vixen team, Grandi, and then added, “I want too congratulate every person who were with me in the same nomination because you deserve to be here too.”

Multi-XBIZ Award-winning performer Amirah Adara returned to the stage for the three top prizes of the evening. Gay Performer of the Year was Bastian Karim, who gave a heartfelt speech in a blue suit made casual with a white tank top and sneakers.

“Oh my God,” Karim said. “To be nominated here, it was an honor — to be the winner, it was a dream. But Dreams come true. So congratulations to everyone — and everyone is a winner tonight. Thank you so much.”

Adara then announced Christian Clay as Male Performer of the Year. Clay — epitomizing Euro cool in a blue suit over a black t-shirt, stylish glasses and moccasins without socks — thanked the producers who shoot him, his colleagues and his fans.

Like Best Director, the crowning accolade of the entire evening, Female Performer of the Year, went to another incumbent, as Adara yelped in glee when she opened the golden envelope and revealed her friend Tiffany Tatum as the winner.

“Oh my God, yeah!” Adara screamed. “So the winner is… the fucking best — Tiffany Tatum!”

Tatum rushed to the stage and began a celebration that was less a speech than a race around the room to hug and celebrate her close work family and collaborators, including Adara, her BrillBabes agent Esther and Parasited auteur Romero, who she said she wanted to honor because she forgot to thank him for her earlier win.

“Thank you so much, everyone,” the now two-time winner told the audience at the Theater Amsterdam, before leaving the stage to the hosts to close an unprecedented night of Hollywood-level glitz to celebrate, as Danny D said, “this wonderful industry of ours.”

“Give the last round of applause for all of you, for being creative, for being yourselves and for supporting and appreciating one another even when the outside world throws us a bit of shade — and for making this world a slightly more fun place.”