Grooby’s Kristel Penn Receives 2026 XBIZ Exec ‘Heart of Gold’ Award

LOS ANGELES, CA – Grooby’s longtime Creative and Editorial Director Kristel Penn received the XBIZ Exec ‘Heart of Gold’ Award announced this week at the 2026 XBIZ Honors event. Penn was also nominated for ‘Community Figure of the Year.’ 

“I think it’s wonderful how XBIZ has expanded their Exec Awards to include new categories like these,” says Penn. “My belief has been that my responsibility is to the community I serve, first and foremost, and using that as my internal compass of how I operate in the industry. I do my best to be sincere and accountable in the work I do, and try to be as generous with my resources as the community has always been with me. My grandma used to tell me to ‘do good, be good,’ and I always try to walk through the world with that in mind. Thank you to XBIZ for this recognition. This milestone represents a moment in my career where I feel like I’ve been able to authentically practice what has been passed down to me since.”  

The 2026 XBIZ Honors united the industry’s brightest leaders and innovators during XBIZ Week to honor exceptional achievements, creating a shared moment of recognition and celebration against the dazzling backdrop of Hollywood.

In addition to Penn’s responsibilities as Grooby’s Creative and Editorial Director, they are the Executive Producer of the annual Trans Erotica Awards. They also teamed up with famed trans adult performer Domino Presley to create the Jazmin Shibata Scholarship, which gives California-based trans sex workers the ability to receive individual therapy or letters of support at no/low-cost from Penn who is also a therapist (CA AMFT #139294). Services are covered in cost by Presley as a way to give back to community. For more information, visit SadButRadTherapy.com.

Founded in 1996, Grooby is widely recognized as the leading producer of trans erotica, with nearly three decades of experience pioneering inclusive and affirming adult content. The company has built a global reputation for its commitment to diversity, authenticity, and ethical production practices—centering trans performers and pushing the industry toward greater representation.

Grooby’s expansive catalog includes over 30 unique websites, multiple DVD lines, and digital streaming platforms, offering fans a wide range of high-quality content featuring both rising stars and established trans performers. As the first company where many of the industry’s most prominent trans performers make their adult debuts, Grooby has long served as a launching pad for countless beloved trans performers.

The company is also the proud host of the annual Transgender Erotica Awards (TEAs), an industry-wide celebration spotlighting trans excellence in adult entertainment. Grooby continues to lead through innovation, performer support, and a community-driven approach that prioritizes representation and respect. Learn more at Grooby.com and follow on X at @groobydotcom.