Jordan Starr: The 2026 GAYVNs and the Future of Creator-Studio Unity

January 5, 2026
JACK

Jordan Starr: The 2026 GAYVNs and the Future of Creator-Studio Unity

For many a gay male, the New Year means only one thing: A new awards season!!!!! There's the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards, the Oscars, and then... There is the GAYVN Awards. On January 22nd, the Gay Porn Industry will celebrate its very best. Our dear friend, multiple GAYVN nominee, and industry bridge-builder Jordan Starr is giving us an exclusive look at what to expect at this year's ceremony and how his own International Content Creator Awards will be participating. Here's the scoop!

*Photos Courtesy of Jordan Starr*

2025 has been a massive year for you. Looking back, what were the highlights for Jordan Starr, and what is on the horizon for 2026?

2025 has been absolutely amazing! A major highlight was hosting the inaugural International Content Creator Awards (ICCA) at the Almar Resort in Puerto Vallarta. We are already looking forward to the second annual ICCA from May 16–20, featuring the incredible Jackie Cox from RuPaul’s Drag Race as our host and the "Human Ken Doll" Justin Jedlica as our red carpet correspondent. Beyond the awards, I’ve been traveling extensively—including my first trip to Ibiza with some incredible creators. While I don’t really do "resolutions," I am big on goals. At the center of everything I do is a drive to continue growing and improving.

The GAYVN Awards are just around the corner. Will you be attending, and what are you most looking forward to?

Absolutely! It’s the essential kickoff to the year for our industry. I’m most excited about the networking and the potential for some great new collaborations.

For those who haven't experienced it, how would you describe the GAYVNs?

It’s the Oscars of the studio gay porn world. It is the pinnacle of recognition for Studio production.

Is this a closed-door industry event, or is it open to the public?

I’m so glad you asked—everyone can attend! It’s important to remember this isn’t just an awards show; the AVN Expo itself is so much fun. Seeing all the vendors and experiencing the sheer scale of the event is something every fan or spectator should see. It’s completely inclusive; you don’t need a special invitation to be part of the energy.

Will the ICCA have a presence at the GAYVNs this year?

Definitely. Last year, we hosted an ICCA reception, an afterparty, and had a booth at the Expo. We are thrilled to do it all over again.

On January 21, from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM, we’re hosting the ICCA Kickoff Party at the iconic Gipsy. Then, on January 22, we’ll have the ICCA After-Hours Celebration at the legendary Piranha right after the awards events. Both spots are across the street from each other and just a block away from the host, Virgin Hotel, and are the hottest venues for our community. We have Alexis Mateo from RuPaul’s Drag Race co-hosting alongside Falcon/NakedSword Exclusive Sir Peter, plus a special DJ set by Carnal Exclusive Zander Woodz—our 2025 ICCA Favorite Kink Creator. We’re also proud to have Falcon/NakedSword as our Gold Sponsor, along with many other great sponsors. To top it all off, the end of the GAYVNs officially kicks off the ICCA nomination period!

You seem very passionate about promoting this event. Why is it so important to you to get the word out?

Because the journey is better when we travel together. We have to remember that as content creators, we stand on the shoulders of the studio industry. Generations of advocates paved the way and fought for the liberties we enjoy today. Individually, a creator might have limited reach, but as a united front, we are significantly stronger. Given the current legal and political attacks our industry faces, banding together is more important than ever. My mission with the ICCA is to be a bridge builder between the creator world and the studio world. (Shout out to the Free Speech Coalition) Beth Noonan and the GAYVN team have been so supportive of us, and we’re happy to return that love.

Aside from the politics, why is it a "must-attend" for creators?

It’s a wonderful opportunity for camaraderie. You’re surrounded by your peers in an inclusive environment. It’s a chance to network, make content, and—let's be honest—make money! Haha!

How do you see the GAYVNs evolving as studios adapt to the rise of independent content creators?

I can’t speak for the GAYVNs—they are a studio-driven machine, and they do what they do extremely well—but I do love that they’ve incorporated creator elements to their studio event. Regarding the ICCA, we are built “by creators for creators,” and we are very focused on the international content creator community. We know how difficult it is for creators to get U.S. visas, and we know they want independent outlets. Our community is global, not just U.S.-based. That’s why we host it in Puerto Vallarta—it’s accessible to all. That said, we’ve partnered with studios for years through Rising Starr Talent and Shooting Starr Productions, even before ICCA, to provide them access to fresh new talent they might not find otherwise. We’ve also done this by pioneering programs to run content houses alongside studio productions, incentivizing creators to have an additional revenue driver and empowering studios with a much-needed recruitment tool. We were so honored to have MEN and Falcon at the ICCAs. It creates a win-win: studios find "fresh faces," and creators get money in their pockets and cross-promotion in the U.S. market. It’s a different animal than the GAYVNs, but supporting both is how we build that bridge.