LAS VEGAS — The 2021 Inked Awards will open its pre-nominations period on New Year’s Day, January 1, ahead of a virtual ceremony in late winter or early spring hosted by Rocky Emerson and Raven Roxx, joined by Will Havoc.

Pre-nominations will be accepted through January 22, followed by the formal nominees announcement January 29 and a final round of voting that will conclude February 14.

“I figured we’d start this coming new, fresh year the right way,” Inked Angels Owner Jason Jones said.

“Originally Inked Angels wasn’t going to hold the awards due to the pandemic but due to overwhelming interest from performers, the show will go on,” he continued. “We’ve always enjoyed planning and hosting the event but with the pandemic and everything going on, we weren’t sure people would be interested.”

Jones noted several changes to this year’s slate of honors. “Community Member of the Year” has been created to “celebrate the fans and people who support these amazing tattooed performers” with the winner to be announced live during the broadcast.

Additionally, “Best Trans Clip Artist” will join the roster of awards, which include a slate of both panel- and fan-voted categories.

Visit this link on January 1 at 12 a.m. (PST) to begin submitting pre-noms.

The 2021 Inked Awards ceremony will broadcast live from The Vegas Studio in Sin City. The Vegas Studio is one of the event’s sponsors; Spunk Lube will also lend sponsorship support for the fifth consecutive year.

Follow InkedAngels as well as Rocky Emerson, Raven Roxx and Will Havoc on Twitter for the latest updates.

Tickets for performers and other industry members are complimentary; ticketing details for the public will be announced later. Direct inquiries to Jason Jones at admin@inkedangels.com, including questions about sponsorship and about nominating an individual for “Community Member of the Year.”

[Updated, 3:24 p.m: Added a statement from MindGeek.]

BENGALURU, India — According to a Reuters report, Visa announced that it “has allowed usage of its cards on MindGeek’s platforms that host professionally generated content,” although it continues the suspension of card use on the company’s tube site Pornhub “until pending investigations are complete.”

The short announcement was reported by a Reuters staffer in Bengaluru, the city formerly known as Bangalore in southern India.

The Indian reporter, Sohini Podder, noted the company told them that “following a thorough review, Visa will reinstate acceptance privileges for MindGeek sites that offer professionally produced adult studio content.”

A MindGeek representative replied to XBIZ’s request for comment through a statement saying the company is “dedicated to working with our partners to demonstrate that we have put in place the most far-reaching safeguards in user-generated platform history, including banning unverified users from uploading content — a policy that no other platform has put in place.”

“Any assertion that we allow child sexual abuse material on our platform is flagrantly untrue,” the statement continued. “We are committed to combating illegal content for the safety of our community, and so that the hundreds of thousands of models that rely on our platform can continue to earn a living.”

Users of MindGeek’s studio-produced content sites have reported mixed results trying to use Visa, Mastercard and cryptocurrency since December 4, when the New York Times published a sensationalistic editorial by Nicholas Kristof alleging that Pornhub is “infested with rape videos.”

Religiously motivated anti-porn organization Exodus Cry has claimed they were the impulse behind Kristof’s editorial, pursuing their avowed mission to “shut down Pornhub.”

Kristof directly and publicly called for intervention against Pornhub from prominent politicians and credit card companies.

On December 10, as XBIZ reported, Visa and Mastercard announced that they had frozen payments through their cards on Pornhub.

LAS VEGAS — Blush Erotica has launched a new membership site that aims to blend “video, voiceover and erotica” for a new, immersive experience.

The nascent studio has partnered with The Sinematographer on a concept, noted a rep, that grew from “the idea of unifying video and voiceover [in] the storytelling of erotica whilst engaging audiences with video.”

“Content features B/G, lesbian, threesomes, MILF and more to come as the site develops. All stories will be narrated from the female perspective and will be shot in an HD cinematic style,” continued the rep.

New videos are set to be uploaded weekly; an “ungated erotic blog for amateur writers” currently features author Chloe Angel. However, the site “will accept work from any amateur writer looking to share their stories.”

The Sinematographer enjoys the blend of aural and visual storytelling.

“We’ve really developed the site with the idea that there is a large audience who enjoys erotic audio and creating their own visuals while taking care of their personal business,” they said. “For those who just want to see hot actors in sexy scenes, we’ve got that, too.”

Visit BlushErotica.com and explore their branded channels on Clips4Sale, ManyVids and Pornhub.

A YouTube channel includes interview with featured talent; the rep noted a TikTok profile is pending.

Follow Blush Erotica and The Sinematographer on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES — Pipedream Products has been named among the premier sponsors of the upcoming biggest virtual expo for the pleasure product and retail industries, the ANME/XBIZ show that’s set for January 11-15, 2021.

“2020 was a transformational year for Pipedream, and the ANME/XBIZ platform will be a great opportunity to connect with our customers and share all the exciting new things we’re working on,” Pipedream CEO Matthew Matsudaira said. “In these ‘virtual’ times, it’s more important than ever to support the industry, and all come together for one event.”

With recent product releases such as its vibrating Icicles glass massagers and OMG! collection of beginner-friendly vibes, Pipedream will have a selection of new items to showcase from its virtual suite on the ANME/XBIZ show floor. The company has previously participated in the first-ever virtual XBIZ Retreat earlier this year, where the company showcased its PDX Elite line of “guy gadgets” onscreen through high-quality informational videos.

Featuring vendors from around the world, ANME/XBIZ will be a virtual hub for business with a week-long schedule of one-on-one meetings, along with boundless opportunities to network on an interactive platform offering the most comparable experience to a real-life event.

In addition to daily scheduled meetings, ANME/XBIZ show participants will have the opportunity to link up with colleagues on the virtual show floor, which will include social lounges and other informal gathering areas.

Beyond business-to-business activities between vendors and buyers, ANME/XBIZ show organizers recently announced that the event will also be open to sex educators and qualified press, bloggers and social media influencers.

The event will coincide with the adult industry’s biggest night, the XBIZ Awards, which is set for a worldwide broadcast on XBIZ.tv; as well as the debut virtual edition of the XBIZ Honors ceremony, presented by Satisfyer, which will present the annual XBIZ Exec Awards along with select categories from the 2021 XBIZ Awards.

For more information, visit ANMEXBIZ.com or contact anmexbiz@xbiz.com.

LOS ANGELES — Francois Sagat and Alicia Amira, founder of Be a Bimbo clothing line, are among the featured guest stars in the new music video “Cum” from Brooke Candy, featuring Iggy Azalea, and director Dejan Jovanovic.

Paris Hilton, Amanda Lepore and drag stars Shea Couleé, Crystal Methy and Detox, among others, noted Billboard, “flaunt what they’ve got for their webcams, exploring their sexuality in a fun way to destigmatize and support sex work amid the pandemic, a time where more people are earning income through the online sale of erotic content.”

The clip also supports several charitable organizations, including Black Trans Femmes in the Arts.

“Social distancing is the only way that we’re going to get through this, and we have to do it together,” noted Candy. “This video aims to show that we can still have fun and flirt and be sexy and silly while being conscious of the amazing first responders who need us to stay home.”

“Sexual expression is so critical to our mental and physical health — now more than ever as we are all living a much more isolated existence,” Candy continued. “The more we bring these things out from the shadows, the more we invite people to take care of themselves, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

The video can also be found on YouTube.

LOS ANGELES — Producers of Virtual Taboo have launched DarkRoomVR.com with the goal of upending “porn cliches.”

“2020 has been a challenging year, and the producers of Virtual Taboo are on a mission to end it appropriately,” noted a rep. “Ladies and gents, please welcome DarkRoomVR, a brand-new VR site that is simply perfect for 2020.”

Virtual Taboo is the 2020 XBIZ Europa Awards winner for “Virtual Reality Site of the Year.”

“We wanted to expand on our massive success with VirtualTaboo with something quite different,” company president Capo Rockett said.

“At some point around half-a-year ago, we realized that we are fed-up and tired,” he continued. “Tired of being played; tired of false and fake smiles, and of ridiculous simulated emotions that you have never ever believed in — not for a single moment; and tired of vanilla predictable porn.”

“We thought it’s time to bring more changes to the industry. This is how DarkRoomVR was born, primarily for us — and for the audience who deserved a ray of sunshine,” observed Rockett. “It’s not an attempt to jump into a niche, it’s a venture to take a look at the mainstream VR porn from a completely different angle. We made it in dark colors, without bright lights, which quite often is only in the way in VR porn; we made it with emotions which are very close to those of a thriller.”

The rep described the site’s content as “aimed at challenging porn cliches where sex comes after a pizza guy or a blunt plumber. Porn may be different. It often happens that a main character is caught in dire straits — like all of us in 2020; however, in the end he or she will figure a way out.”

Current scenes feature Jasmie Jae and Emily Mayers; Mia Trejsi; Kate Rich; Nikki Hill; Jenny Wild; and Sabien Demonia with Anie Darling.

Visit DarkRoomVR.com for additional details and follow the studio on its newly established Twitter handle.

LOS ANGELES — Curve Toys has released two new additions to its Gossip collection, a G-Spot mini vibe called Lil Wavy and the Lil Smoothie mini rabbit vibe.

The G-Spot mini vibe is textured for added stimulation while the rabbit vibe features a smooth feel. Each vibe features seven functions and are made with silicone. The new Gossip mini vibes are also USB rechargeable and feature a waterproof end cap that protect the bullet vibe.

The new vibes come in magenta and violet colors. To see the full Gossip collection, click here.

For sales, email sales@curvetoys.com.

LOS ANGELES — Chaturbate is offering congratulations to three of its broadcasters who earned trophies from the 2020 Pornhub Awards earlier this month: Mary Moody, Siswet and Daisy Taylor.

Moody and Taylor won “Favorite Cam Performer” and “Most Popular Trans Performer,” respectively; both are fan-voted categories. Siswet earned “Backdoor Beauty: Top Anal Performer” honors.

“Chaturbate is thrilled that several broadcasters took home Pornhub awards this year. It’s always great to see our broadcasters succeed across several platforms and continue to grow their brands,” CEO Shirley Lara said.

“We are excited for many more wins in 2021,” she added.

Find Mary Moody, Siswet and Daisy Taylor on Chaturbate and follow the platform on Twitter.

Click here for a complete list of 2020 Pornub Awards winners.

LOS ANGELES — Maggie Green and Sara Jay will both headline Christmas Eve shows on VNALive.com today; Green takes the stage at 2 p.m. (PST), while Jay will appear at 5 p.m. (PST).

Access to both shows is available to any member of the VNALive network; all livestreams are mobile-friendly. Fans and admirers may also cast their votes for their favorite performers; the top VNALive star wins $250, with $150 and $100 going to the second- and third-place winners.

“We endeavor to have entertainment for the fans throughout the holidays, including Christmas Eve when most girls take time off,” noted platform founder Vicky Vette. “I am grateful to all the VNALive girls, including Maggie and Sara today, taking time out of their holiday schedules to entertain fans and members.”

“Holidays aren’t easy for a lot of people, especially this year with COVID,” Vette continued. “We are here to make sure everyone gets a little Christmas spirit. Check the schedule for more showtimes. If you’re done with your Christmas shopping, pop in for a bit of holiday fun.”

Explore the VNALive.com schedule for additional details and follow the platform on Twitter. 

Direct inquiries to vicky@vettenationlive.com.

MIAMI — Sara Jay is the latest guest of the “movie-hating” podcast “Gutting the Sacred Cow,” with hosts Kevin Gootee and Kevin Israel, where she takes apart the 2008 stoner comedy “Pineapple Express.”

A rep described the program as “a show where guests pick a popular, acclaimed or classic film that is loved by the general public but deeply despised by them and break down their reasons in explicit detail.”

Jay, despite being an advocate for the legalization of marijuana and the owner of Sara Jay CBD Self-Care, the rep said, “cited ‘Pineapple Express’ as not funny — whether sober or high. She was creeped-out by Seth Rogan’s character having a girlfriend in high school and didn’t get a feel on what decade the movie was in or why people enjoy the mullet-haired actor, Danny McBride.”

Gootee teased the conclusion the hosts reach during the show.

“Sorry, stoner movie fans, you’re not safe from your genre taking shrapnel. Sara Jay is into weed but surprisingly hates ‘Pineapple Express.’ Apparently, double-penetration is less painful than watching James Franco and Seth Rogen get high. Does this award-winning porn star convince us this film is more painful than a 500-person gang-bang?”

Visit GuttingTheSacredCow.com and follow podcast on Twitter.

Find Sara Jay and Sara Jay CBD Self-Care on Twitter.