LUXEMBOURG — Byborg Enterprises SA, parent company of LiveJasmin, has signed a joint venture contract with interactive pleasure brand FeelGroup.

“This new partnership emphasizes Byborg’s belief in the powerful synergy of entertainment and innovative technology that FeelGroup specializes in,” said a rep. “FeelGroup, consisting of FeelRobotics, Kiiroo, Sirius Media, and Virtual PC Services, offers an unparalleled fusion of scalable SaaS technologies and inventive tech devices.”

FeelGroup CEO Toon Timmermans enthused about the partnership.

“At FeelGroup, we have always believed that premium online entertainment goes hand in hand with innovative tech devices, so it’s very rewarding to have our technology and AI acknowledged by Byborg Enterprises SA, the leading company in this sector,” he said. “Their commitment as shareholders signals an endorsement of our mission to enhance online entertainment experiences with our cutting-edge technology.’

Added Byborg co-founder Károly Papp, “We are thrilled to collaborate with FeelGroup and enhance the potent synergy that exists between us, two industry frontrunners. By merging our expertise in premium online entertainment and FeelGroup’s mastery in online interactivity and AI, we can serve a unique market need and provide advanced technology to foster remote intimacy.”

For more information, visit ByborgEnterprises and FeelGroup.

LOS ANGELES — Nubiles has selected Lady D as its Fantasy of the Month for August, spotlighting her in a scene with Charlie Dean.

As the scene opens, Lady D is “looking for a gentleman and finds one in Charlie Dean, who has bought her flowers and ordered a drink before arriving at the bar,” the synopsis reveals. “He even pulls out a chair for her. When she sees how hot Charlie is as well as chivalrous, she flashes him to show she’s hungry for something else and even hikes up her miniskirt and fingers herself under the table.”

Lady D enthused about her co-star.

“It’s a great fantasy to find a man who’s a gentleman and knows how to treat a lady right with chivalry and a great time in bed,” she said. “Charlie could be any woman’s fantasy, and I’m glad he was my co-star for my fantasy scene for Nubile Films.”

The scene is streaming on Nubiles.

Follow Lady D on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES — Nubiles has selected Maria Kazi as its Flavor of the Month for August and spotlighted her in a scene with Tyler Cruise.

Kazi plays realistic sex doll Megan-18, trying to take her owner Cruise’s mind off of his recently deceased mom. 

“Megan spies his hard-on, pulls his hard cock from his pants, and sucks him off right before getting on her knees and letting Tyler have his way with her,” the synopsis reveals. “Tearing her pristine white tights, Tyler pushes her thong to the side and fucks her from behind.”

Kazi enthused about the scene.

“It was interesting to play Megan-18 and get to be a robotic doll with a human side,” she said. “I love the acting aspect, and I’m honored to be the August Flavor of the Month.”

The scene is streaming on Nubiles.

Follow Kazi on Twitter.

PHOENIX — Former Backpage.com executive James “Jim” Larkin, a co-defendant in the ongoing Backpage.com case which is due to be re-tried this month after a 2021 mistrial, died by suicide Monday in Superior, Arizona.

The 74-year-old Larkin died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Superior Police Department confirmed to the Arizona Republic.

As XBIZ has been reporting, Backpage was shuttered and seized by federal authorities in 2018, days before President Trump signed FOSTA into law. The government accused Larkin and the company’s other top executive, Mike Lacey of a number of alleged crimes related to their ownership of the popular adult-oriented classifieds website. The case was subsequently used by several political figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, as an example of the need for the FOSTA Section 230 exception.

Federal prosecutors accused the company of “participation in a conspiracy to facilitate and promote prostitution,” and also of money laundering, human trafficking and other charges, which were strongly disputed by the defense.

In September 2021, Judge Susan Brnovich declared a mistrial after the the government presented the testimony of a supposed “online sex trafficking expert” who had been prepared by prosecutors to repeat the words “children” and “trafficking”to influence the jurors.”

As the attorneys for Lacey and Larkin pointed out at the time “there is no charge of trafficking of children” in the Backpage case.

Judge Brnovich, who had consistently ruled against the defense, surprised the court by announcing she had “concerns that the government has crossed that line several times, even after I advised the government not to do it, at sidebar.”

In September 2022, a three-judge Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld a lower court’s denial to dismiss the case against the former owners of Backpage.com, after attorneys for Lacey and Larkin had sought the dismissal due to double jeopardy.

According to Stephen Lemons, editor of the Lacey and Larkin-associated website Front Page Confidential and the leading authority on the case, the Ninth Circuit panel “conceded that the government committed ‘misconduct’ and ‘did elicit prejudicial evidence in violation of pretrial rulings,’ but the panel ruled that the misconduct ‘was not so egregious as to compel a finding of an intent’ to provoke a mistrial.”

The retrial was set to start Aug. 8 before Judge Diane Humetewa.

“We plan to win in court,” Lacey’s attorney Paul Cambria had told XBIZ.

Lacey and Larkin: A Long-Time Partnership

Lacey and Larkin worked closely together for decades developing the Phoenix alt-weekly New Times into a national chain, later devoting their attentions to the spin-off classifieds operation Backpage.com.

While Lacey was responsible for the editorial direction of the companies, Larkin served as their “business mastermind,” the Arizona Republic explained.

Starting in 2010, anti-sex work activists and law enforcement targeted Backpage.com and “argued the site hosted thinly disguised advertisements for prostitution,” the Republic wrote in Larkin’s obituary, which quoted a 2018 interview with Reason magazine in which Larkin “said that Backpage was targeted because of the journalism the New Times published.”

“We’ve never, ever broken the law,” Larkin insisted. “Never have, never wanted to.”

Larkin said his and Lacey’s fight against the forces trying to ruin them was not about sex work to him, but about free speech.

Lacey issued the following statement through Front Page Confidential about the passing of his long-time friend and business partner:

Jim Larkin’s passing has torn at my heart.

I knew him for over 40 years as we pursued stories across America, literally from sea to shining sea.

He began a newspaper in high school; journalism was quite literally in his blood.

He embraced the idea of full-time staff writers at Village Voice Media despite the expense. And those journalists went on to win over 3,800 writing awards including recognition in the Pulitzer competition.

Jim was a businessman, and he recognized and created a market for alternative newsweeklies. He cut trail where most perceived only risk.

I was not surprised when, from a small plot of land, he created a remarkable red wine good enough to grace the list at The French Laundry in Napa. (That was Larkin. If he turned his mind to something, he achieved.)

Above all of his works, however, he was a family man. A loyal husband, he reveled in his six children.

I never saw my friend do a dishonest or dishonorable thing in his entire life.

I had a four-decade friendship with a wonderful man.

Now I have only his memory.

Aug 1, 2023 4:23 PM PDT

LAS VEGAS — Darcy Diamond has made her anal debut in a new scene for InkedVixensXXX.

In the scene, Diamond visits Trap’s tattoo parlor, where he requests a lap dance that eventually leads to more.

“It has been an absolute honor shooting my first anal scene with InkedVixensXXX,” said Diamond. “I can’t help but express my genuine love and enjoyment for every moment I spend working with this exceptional company. From start to finish, they go above and beyond to create an extraordinary experience for their team and viewers alike.”

The scene is streaming on InkedVixensXXX.

Follow Darcy Diamond on Twitter.

Copyright © 2023 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. For reprint permission contact us.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Aug 1, 2023 4:17 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES — Cherie DeVille has launched a new “Yoga & Stretching” YouTube series.
 
Debuting in June, the series currently features 11 motivational clips that are geared toward beginner fitness levels.

Clips include demonstrations and step-by-step instructions through stretching exercises, gentle yoga flows and mobility routines. 

“‘Yoga Fitness’ is my way of introducing the benefits of yoga to a wider audience,” explained DeVille. “I wanted to create a channel where beginners could feel comfortable and empowered to take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. By offering simple routines, my hope is to motivate others to prioritize their well-being and unlock their full potential.”
 
Stream “Yoga & Stretching” on YouTube. 
 
Follow Cherie DeVille on Twitter.

SHENZHEN, China — European distributor Bol has signed a deal with pleasure brand Fantasy Factory to distribute its VMDoll line.

“We are very honored to be able to represent VMDoll in Europe,” said Bol Supply Chain Manager Axel Ferrier. “Due to the realistic design and excellent quality, this brand is very suitable for our market concept and will perfectly meet the needs of our customers in Europe.”

Fantasy Factory President Nick added, “We are proud to establish a cooperative relationship with this great company, and I look forward to the VMDoll series products bringing more value to European customers.”

For more information, visit Fantasy4Toys.com.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Veteran adult filmmaker Shaun Costello passed away earlier this month at 79, according to family members and industry friends and associates.

A noted director during the 1970s “Golden Age of Porn,” Costello had recently been rediscovered by mainstream cult movie buffs and recognized as an exploitation auteur.

After his retirement, he continued writing profusely on his blog, which he continued to update until a few months ago, and also published several books about his involvement in the adult industry.

An armed forces veteran from Queens who fell into the “loops” — short adult films — business after returning to New York, Costello directed and produced over 70 adult feature films during the 1970s and early 1980s, including “Midnight Desires,” “The Passions of Carol,” “Waterpower,” “Beauty,” “Fiona on Fire” and several hit titles starring Vanessa del Rio, including “Dracula Exotica,” “That Lady from Rio” and “China Doll.”

Costello was known for bold, on-a-shoestring stealth adaptations of mainstream stories, such as Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” (“The Passions of Carol”), Otto Preminger’s noir thriller “Laura” (“Fiona on Fire”) and disco-vampire movie “Love at First Bite” (“Dracula Exotica”).

Costello very notably did not use his real name for his industry efforts, directing instead under a multiplicity of pseudonyms. His identity was only revealed under unfortunate circumstances, when in the mid-2000s a fan released a pirated box set of over a dozen films, titled “Avon Dynasty: Shaun Costello Collection.” Only two thirds of the films were Costello titles, and in highly unreliable picture quality. Also, the filmmaker had never worked for the Avon production company.

“Without that box, my identity would have never been linked to pornography, and my private life would be intact,” he later told an interviewer. “I would have preferred it that way.”

In 1983 he began a career directing commercials for New York ad agencies, for which he was awarded a Clio. He also directed the 1973 documentary “Four Days at Troon,” and the award-winning 1990 short “Writing for Time” during the first Gulf War. In 1991, Costello also produced the cult horror movie “Popcorn” under the name Warren Evans.

Costello wrote the books “Wild About Harry,” a biography of legendary adult performer Harry Reems; and “Risky Behavior: Sex, Gangsters and Deception in the Time of ‘Groovy,’” his 1970s memoir. A third completed tome, childhood memoir “The Last Time I Saw Jesus,” was unpublished.

After a spell as what he described as “possibly the worst real estate broker in the history of the Hamptons,” Costello fell upon hard times. In a career-spanning 2016 interview with cult horror and exploitation site Body Count Rising, Costello spoke frankly about losing his home in 2015, and how he recovered from that situation after three and a half months living in various homeless shelters.

“Through the VA’s HUD/VASH program I was able to finally wrangle a HUD voucher for a very nice two bedroom apartment, where I still live. To accomplish what I did took relentless tenacity. Everyone says ‘No’ to you over and over again. The trick is not believing them. I just kept hammering away at the system until I found a crack in the resistance. During this process I found out who would help and who would not.”

Costello added that he felt obligated to share that knowledge with other vets, by writing a candid account of his ordeal.

“Now I work on my blog in the mornings, and drive an Uber cab in the afternoons,” he told Body Count Rising.

Costello reportedly passed away in the first week of July, although news spread among veterans of the adult community only Monday.

“I’m so sorry to hear about his passing,” Vanessa del Rio wrote on her Facebook page. “He was my first director. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this — may he rest in peace. He was known as ‘the naked director’ because he always got into the last scene, which of course at that time was an orgy scene. Fun was had by all — those were the days! He will be missed by many.”

Jul 31, 2023 3:56 PM PDT

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Ashlyn Sparks has made her debut with Plumper Pass.

Sparks is featured in “Assistant Ashlyn,” alongside Juan Largo.

According to the synopsis, “Ashlyn has issues with her lights and calls in Juan Largo, the handyman. When he changes the lightbulb, she notices his cock. Now Ashlyn needs his assistance in quelling her horniness.”

Sparks enthused about the scene.
 
“I’ve been in talks for a while with Clint and I knew Plumper Pass was where I wanted to make my professional debut,” she said. “The set was professional and everything went better than I had imagined. Until now, I’ve only filmed content for my premium social media. Now that I’ve popped my studio cherry, I’m ready to work with more studios and definitely Plumper Pass again.”
 
Stream “Assistant Ashlyn” on PlumperPass.

Follow Ashlyn Sparks on Twitter.