BBWFanFest Winners: Porn’s version of Manifest Destiny

BBWFanFest: Real Women Have Curves, Realer Women Have Folds

Like you, I want to get closer and closer still to the large women I admire, as if I am an ant crawling on a peach or a lonely planetoid orbiting the Sun. But it seems that the Las Vegas convention known as the BBWFanFest (July 13-15, starring April Flores and Kelly Shibari) is drawing imitators seeking to put a Lap Band on its potential. I say fie on those foul copyfats.

I talked with Kelly Shibari about the upcoming event. (UPDATE: Scroll to the bottom for this year’s winners)

Gram: Can you describe the average fan you might see at the BBW FanFest? How is he different from your standard AdultCon or AVN fan?

Shibari: I think that fans at FanFest are specifically going to be those that like their women, especially their porn women, on the thicker side. Other than that one preference, I think it’s going to be very similar to fans going to other adult industry conventions – horny teenagers trapped in man bodies. I’m also hoping to see a lot more couples as well – a portion of my fan base does consist of guys saying that their girlfriends/wives/playmates have similar figures to mine, so I suppose my porn has “couple appeal.”

Gram: Porn is forever compartmentalizing into niches, and all the award shows represent that more each year. Yet even though America is a Heavier Country, we don’t see a lot of BBW representation in adult awards…

Shibari: There are other “niche” conventions and awards shows already in existence, such as UrbanX, GayVN, Tranny Awards, FetishCon. I think that oftentimes these events happen because [the population] feel under-represented by mainstream adult media (you don’t see The MILF Awards anywhere, though that would be fun. Perhaps there will be ClownCon, with Hollie Stevens getting a posthumous Lifetime Icon of the Year award?). In the case of BBWFanFest and the BBWFanFest Awards, it showcases a niche that has no specific category at AVN, XBIZ, or any of the other awards shows out there. Adultcon has infamously denied access to BBWs at their shows, though I’m not sure of other conventions that have had a “no-BBW’ policy. I think that those groups feel that perhaps, if mainstream adult media can see that there is a notable crowd supporting a niche, then it’s not a bad idea to have a Category in their Awards Show for them. Right now, BBW is a “Specialty Release” category for AVN. I don’t think it’ll change overnight, but even if the big companies don’t recognize it, at least now there is a place for BBWs to celebrate and be celebrated.

The following is a press release reprinted to enlighten non-adult industry readers about how the porn business talks about itself. It was written by an adult industry marketing professional.


2012 Official BBWFanFest Rises Above Controversy, Imitators

LAS VEGAS, NV – July 3, 2012 – As so happens with every innovative, groundbreaking idea, imitation “BBW fan events,” complete with controversy, have sprung up in the Las Vegas area in an attempt to compete with the 2012 Official BBWFanFest, held at the Tuscany Suites and Casino, July 13-15.

The 2012 Official BBWFanFest is a unique event and the first of its kind, conceived and developed meticulously for nearly a year after having other shows refuse booth space to plus-sized models for not being “height and weight proportionate” and ostracized for showing off their curves. The convention is a weekend-long celebration of plus-size adult industry performers, also known as BBW performers. Fans of the niche will be able to meet performers and models, get autographs, take photos, buy videos, and get to know many of the stars they had previously only been able to see online or on DVDs. The show will consist of a tradeshow, an awards banquet, seminars, workshops and parties.

“It is our intention, with the creation of BBWFanFest, to allow BBW talent the ability to showcase their work, celebrate their curves, and explore their sexiness in an environment welcoming of all sizes, shapes, ethnic backgrounds, and any other typically “prejudicistic” features that have discouraged talent from appearing at other shows in the past,” said Event Organizer Kari Anthony. “We want to also give the fans a unique opportunity to meet their favorite stars and have a trade-show-like experience with girls they would never have the chance to meet at any other time.”

Unfortunately, attempts have been made recently to replicate the hard work that has been invested into the 2012 BBWFanFest. In some cases, the attempts have resorted to slander and bully tactics in a malicious attempt to diminish the value, name and branding associated with the show. Though imitation may be the best form of flattery, the malicious attempts to discredit BBWFanFest have caused some concern for both the organizers and talent associated with the show.

“I am so proud and honored to be a part of BBWFanFest,” said BBWFanFest-attending adult performer Desiree Devine. “It has been a long time coming for this type of event at this magnitude. The BBW adult industry is without a doubt on the brink of eruption into an entirely new level of exposure. I am very excited for women of our industry to be recognized and rewarded for their deserving hard work.”

“We encourage anyone involved with BBWFanFest to participate in all of the events associated with our show, and give this first year a fair chance before making any preconceived assumptions or believing any rumors that may be spun from imitators,” added Anthony. “This is a time of celebration, not further splitting and petty bickering within our community. We are extremely proud to present an amazing event and weekend long show. ”

The 2012 BBWFanFest Awards Show red carpet event, hosted by April Flores and Kelly Shibari, starts promptly at 5:30pm on Saturday, July 14, where BBW stars will be dressed for the occasion and lined up for unique photo opportunities as they are the highlight of the event. A private banquet is provided before the actual ceremony, along with entertainment, to get guests ready for the Awards ceremony starting at 8pm. The 2012 BBWFanFest Awards Show is open to those who purchased Awards Show passes. The Official 2012 BBWFanFest Awards Show Afterparty, sponsored and hosted by Plush Night Club, immediately follows the Awards.

The convention continues throughout the weekend, with seminars each afternoon, a tradeshow floor consisting of models, vendors and workshops, and parties each evening. From The White Party on Friday night, the Awards Show and Afterparty on Saturday, to a pool party on Sunday, the weekend promises to give unprecedented access for fans to interact with their favorite plus-sized performers. A detailed schedule of events is available at http://BBWFanFest.com.

BBWFanFest 2012 will be held July 13-15, 2012 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Tickets for the event and additional information can be obtained by going to http://BBWFanFest.com.

[UPDATE: THIS YEAR’S WINNERS]

Icon Award – Brie Brown

BBWFanFest Performer of the Year – Damali X Dares

XXX Performer of the Year – Sienna Hills

Interracial Performer of the Year – Veronica Vaughn

Plumper / BBW of the Year – Julia Sands

SSBBW of the Year – Farrah Foxx

Big Boobs BBW of the Year – Ms Dawn P.

Big Belly BBW of the Year – Bella Buxom

MILF of the Year – Shugar N Texas

Newcomer of the Year – Delilah Black

Fan Favorite – Trashley Treasures

Feedee/Gainer of the Year – Plump Princess

Fetish Performer of the Year – Amazon Amanda

Creative BBW of the Year – April Flores

Best BBW Cam Site – AllBBWCams.com

Solo Site of the Year – Carrieland.com

Multi-Girl Site of the Year – SouthernCharms.com

Premium Site of the Year – Plumperpass.com

Fetish Site of the Year – PaddedKINK.com

Studio of the Year – Rodney Moore / RodneyMoore.com

Special Recognition – Sin City Bounty / The Curvaceous Bounty of Sin City

Special Recognition – Fleshlight

and

Industry Trailblazers:

Candy Samples

Candye Kane

Karen Brown

Kelligirl

Kitten Natividad

Layla Lashelle

Mary Waters

Melanie Anton

Roberta Smallwood

Sindee Williams

Susie Sparks

Previously on Porn Valley Observed: Padded Kink—hefty honies humiliated halfheartedly; Alix Lakehurst’s extra-wide world of public nudity; What the FCC? “K-Jugs”; Kelly Shibari’s Libertarian bukkake; The Deeper the Quicksand (or so I have read)—”Curvaceous 2″
See also: BBWFanFest

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Gram Ponante is America's Beloved Porn Journalist

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