The 42nd XRCO Awards ceremony took place on Sunday, May 24, at Boardner’s in Hollywood. Organized by the X-Rated Critics Organization, the event celebrates excellence in adult entertainment through the exclusive voting of industry critics and journalists. Hosted by Sarah Arabic and Melony Melons, with Caitlyn Baby and Nyla presenting the trophies, the evening featured over thirty awards and numerous industry stars.
Among the night’s biggest winners was Jennifer White, who had already won the 2026 XMA and AVN Female Performer of the Year. She replicated her success by claiming the same title at the XRCO Awards, alongside the Awesome Analist and Star Showcase awards for her acclaimed film Hollywood Whore: A Jennifer White Showcase Film by Elegant Angel, which was also previously honored at the 2026 AVN Awards. Another significant success belongs to Cheerleader Kait, winner of the namesake award at the AVN Awards, who secured the New Starlet recognition at the 2026 XRCO Awards.
Among the main accolades, Isiah Maxwell triumphed as Male Performer of the Year, while Ariel Demure captured Trans Performer of the Year. Kylie Rocket claimed the Charlotte Stokely Girl/Girl Performer of the Year, and Penny Barber was named MILF of the Year.
In the directing categories, Ricky Greenwood won Best Director (Features) and Jules Jordan secured Best Director (Non-Features), while Chris Streams triomed as Best Director (Web).
The New Axel Braun Director of the Year Award
The 2026 edition of the XRCO Awards marked a historic moment with the introduction of the Axel Braun Director of the Year Award, a new accolade celebrating directing excellence across a director’s entire annual production. The award, which bears the name of the most awarded director in porn history and AVN Hall of Fame member, was presented by Axel Braun himself during the ceremony.
“It feels almost surreal,” stated Braun, who received the first-ever XRCO Lifetime Achievement Award last year. “Having my name on an award that recognizes directing at the highest levels is truly an honor and a privilege.”
The award inaugurates a new tradition for the XRCO Awards, recognizing sustained excellence across a director’s entire body of work rather than just a single title. The first-ever winner of the Axel Braun Director of the Year is Jules Jordan, a master of gonzo who also secured the Best Director (Non-Features) award on the same night, solidifying his top position in adult directing.
The complete list of winners at the 42nd XRCO Awards:
BEST RELEASE
Deadly Vows, Digital Playground
BEST COMEDY
Bucket List, Sweet Sinner/Mile High/Pulse
BEST GONZO MOVIE or SERIES
Blacked Raw, Blacked Raw/Pulse
BEST GIRL/GIRL SERIES
Cravings, Slayed/Pulse
BEST ANAL SERIES
Anal Savages, Jules Jordan Video
BEST ETHNIC-BLENDED SERIES
Blacked Raw, Blacked Raw/Pulse
BEST DIRECTOR (Features)
Ricky Greenwood
BEST DIRECTOR (Non-Features)
Jules Jordan
BEST DIRECTOR (Web)
Chris Streams
AXEL BRAUN DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jules Jordan
BEST ACTRESS
Lilly Bell, The Secrets We Share, Pure Taboo/Adult Time/Pulse
BEST ACTOR
Tommy Pistol, Strip, Dorcel/Pulse
PERSONAL FAVORITE
Octavia Red
FAVORITE ADULT WEBSITE
VixenPlus
CHARLOTTE STOKELY GIRL/GIRL PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Kylie Rocket
FEMALE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Jennifer White
MALE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Isiah Maxwell
TRANS PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Ariel Demure
NEW STARLET
Cheerleader Kait
NEW STUD
Mannie Coco
TEEN DREAM
Hailey Rose
STAR SHOWCASE
Hollywood Whore: A Jennifer White Showcase Film, Elegant Angel
UNSUNG SIREN
Emma Rosie
UNSUNG STUD
Owen Gray
SUPERSLUT
Rebel Ryder
ORGASMIC ORALIST
Blake Blossom
AWESOME ANALIST
Jennifer White
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Fierce Tiger Moms, MYLF/Reptyle/New Sensations
MILF OF THE YEAR
Penny Barber
MAINSTREAM CROSSOVER or DOCUMENTARY
Fans Only 1 & 2
HALL OF FAME
Tod Hunter
Domonique Simone
Tyffany Million
