Your Favorite Porn Stars Are Sick of Being Censored. But They’re Not Going Away

“You’re building this relationship but then it’s like, OK, this is just work.” On the flip side, being on dating apps like Raya, is “very frustrating.”

“People expect that you’re like this person they’ve seen in the videos.”

Showtime

After six hours of hair, makeup, salads, and getting into Western costumes designed by Chris Habana, who has outfitted and accessorized stars like Beyoncé and Rihanna, it’s almost showtime.

Akira wears a baby blue dress made of belts, Sateen is in chaps, and Dreams dons a floor-length purple fur coat lined with cash. The three of them and a handful of other stars storm the Sunset Marquis’ hallways and grounds to take a million sexually charged family-photo-style pics, as non-Pornhub-affiliated hotel guests gape in confusion. Then they pile into a party bus and continue to pose for paparazzi-style photos as they clamor out into the night.

Natassia Dreams, Asa Akira, Queenie Sateen, Jordan Firstman, Alex Kekesi, Elly Cultch, Jak Hammer, and designer Chris Habana on the red carpet at The 7th Annual Porn Hub Awards.

Photograph: Skye Battles

A woman on the sidewalk outside Saddle Ranch asks her friend who these people are.

“Those are the people your friends jerk off too,” her friend responds.

The Saddle Ranch has a red carpet, set against a wall of bounty-hunter-style “wanted” posters depicting famous porn stars. It’s an informal affair—90 percent just a party, with stars like Kim Petras and Diplo in attendance. There’s a mechanical bull, a giant banana mascot in a bandana and cowboy hat, and gift bags with weed gummies.

Photograph: Skye Battles

Photograph: Skye Battles

Host and comedian Jordan Firstman hands out the awards, which go by quickly, with acceptance speeches featuring lines like, “Thank you for everybody in this room who has fucked me so good.” The only speech I catch that approaches a political message comes from Girthmaster, an Aussie who ties for “best dick” with Spanish performer Jordi El Niño Polla.

Jordi El Niño, and Girthmaster recieiving their awards from host Jordan Firstman.

Photograph: Skye Battles

“I guess this is another reason immigrants are good,” the 6’6” Girthmaster says, to loud cheers.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect is that it’s pretty tame, sexually speaking. Firstman, who tells me he’s been to Pornhub after-parties in the past and noticed a distinct lack of orgies, has a possible explanation.

“I think it’s like when you have sex for a living, the work events tend to be more social than turned up.”

Akira says for her the night is about celebrating sex positivity at a time when that’s getting harder to come by. Then she gets a little defiant.

“I’m 40 years old. I can do whatever I want with my pussy. It’s kind of sad that that’s radical.”