Las vegas [quickdfw.com]- It’s like the Oscars, really. Just a little more naked.
We’re talking about the Adult Video Network Movie Awards – AVN for short – which is in its 26th year. This year’s event is Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
“It’s like Hollywood and porn, the Grammys and Vegas all melted together,” says Jenna Haze, adult film star and co-host of the event, in an e-mail interview. “What could be better?”
The show does have a number of the same elements as the other award shows – gorgeous stars, extravagant gowns, yards of red carpet. It’s just that the categories are a tiny bit different. Sure, they have best actor, best actress and best cinematography. But winners are also chosen for best MILF series and best spanking. (Those are the tamer ones, trust me.)
But despite the racy categories, these awards are no less competitive or vital to the industry than their more vanilla counterparts. The AVN staff, with president Paul Fishbein at the helm, reviews 6,000 films in preparation for the awards. Last year’s AVN show was broadcast on Showtime. Word is that will be repeated, though details have not been announced.
Now, dirty movies may not be your thing. And, yes, the business can have its seedy side. I have to admit, I’ve always felt a little torn when it comes to adult films. Some of them are very sexy and can be rather stimulating to watch. And I believe every consenting adult has the right to do whatever type of work they choose, including sex work.
But some of the more extreme films strike me as tasteless and offensive. It’s hard to imagine what kind of people are interested in those – you know the ones I mean – let alone think about the people who make those movies.
But you just might be surprised by the kind of people involved in the industry. I certainly have been thus far. “Some of us are real funny and down-to-earth people with everyday problems and events happening all the time,” says Haze. “It’s not a party and sex 24/7. We are hard-working just like the general population.”
Indeed, I was blown away after a phone conversation with the intelligent and sensitive Belladonna [pictured], who is co-hosting the event with Haze. Belladonna started as a stripper, decided she wanted to try performing in adult films, and is now a director, producer and the owner of her own production company.
“I found my sexuality through porn,” the 27-year-old Biloxi, Miss., native says. “I’ve learned to stand my ground. I’m proud of who I am.”
The AVN event is open to anyone who wants to buy a ticket, unlike the big mainstream award shows; only those in the biz can buy floor seats, however. Tickets run $107 to $240 at mandalaybay.com and ticketmaster.com.
From what I hear, you won’t be disappointed. “The award show is really exciting, because you get to see so many stars on one night at one occasion,” Belladonna says. “Visually, there is a lot going on.”
(Including, we should add, a little hanky-panky in the aisles.)
The show is the highlight of AVN’s weekend extravaganza. Tons of exhibitors, VIP parties, stars of porn walking among mere mortals. Four days of all things naughty.
But, if you can’t go, don’t worry. I will take one for the team and spend the weekend slogging through aisles of toys and pressing the palms of hot stars. I’ll let you know just exactly what kind of trouble I managed to get myself into when I get back.