Whether you're a fan of adult entertainment or just a casual observer, you've likely come across someone represented by LA Direct Models. This agency was once the premier name in adult modeling. However, it now finds itself in serious trouble, facing allegations ranging from sexual misconduct to illegal prostitution.
LA Direct was founded by Derek Hay in 2000. From its inception until around 2014, the agency represented some of the biggest names in the industry, including Alexis Texas, Tori Black, and Nikki Benz. These women rose to fame with the help of Derek Hay and LA Direct Models. The agency also managed bookings for featured dancers, forming a significant network in the industry—but more on that later.
For a while, everything seemed to be going well for the agency. They had top-tier models, strong networking, and had grown so large they even launched a website, L.A. Direct News, to keep fans updated on their activities. The future looked bright until the agency's controversies came to light.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the agency faced serious accusations. There were allegations of sexual abuse, trafficking, and multiple violations of employment standards under Derek Hay's leadership. Today, these issues have been highlighted in an NBC-produced documentary, which details how LA Direct evolved from a small business in a studio apartment to a massive agency allegedly run by a corrupt individual.
Several actresses represented by LA Direct shared their experiences with NBC in the documentary (you can fin din article). They described how they were financially manipulated and funneled into prostitution by Hay. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Hay denied any wrongdoing or connection to illegal escorting during a hearing before the Labor Commissioner's Office. He also posted a 50-minute video online (you'll find below), denying he forced clients to perform sexual acts or funneled them into prostitution.
"Obviously, the question itself is offensive in nature," Hay said in the video, addressing allegations that he coerced clients into performing sexual acts on him in exchange for better bookings or reducing debt. The women who brought the complaint are identified as Jane Does 1 through 4. They fear retaliatory physical or mental harm and the ruin of their careers by a powerful industry insider.
NBC spoke to 26 current and former adult film performers and other agents, many of whom made similar allegations to those contained in the complaints to the Labor Commissioner's Office. Many individuals expressed fear of coming forward due to potential retaliation.
One performer, Adria Rae, who signed with LA Direct Models, described experiences similar to those alleged in the complaint. Although she has not filed a formal complaint, Rae shared her concerns: "It terrifies me that another young girl could fall victim to something like this," she said, using her screen name.
The complaint also accuses Hay of signing multi-year, multi-page contracts with his clients but only submitting one page for approval by the Labor Commissioner's Office. It alleges that he requires producers to pay more than his clients' agreed-upon fees and fails to pay his clients their share. Additionally, the complaint links Hay to an illegal escort business called The Luxury Companion, allegedly owned by Dwight Cunningham and Karine Michmichian. We've all come across The Luxury Companion at least once in our searches at one time or another. I've never met anyone who's actually booked through the agency, but it was part of the community for some time. It claims Hay used The Luxury Companion to book sexual encounters with his own clients and that they exchanged secret referral fees.
This brave group of women coming forward in the face of potential personal and professional risks underscores the ongoing challenges and dangers within the adult entertainment industry. Their actions aim to vindicate their rights as actors and human beings and to protect others from similar exploitation.
My 2 cents: I strongly advise you to watch this documentary. The stories these actresses are telling are some of the scariest and most vile things I've ever heard. Keep in mind that these are allegations from the models, but as I always say: if it's one or two people saying something, it's a rumor; if it's 26 people saying it, then it's a fact. This man is allegedly one of the worst people to work with in the industry. The fact that none of this is new news to the industry, with accusations starting even before the pandemic, and that it's still happening today, is absolutely disgusting.
Again, I advise you to either read the article or watch the documentary. It really illustrates how these women were backed into a corner and forced into becoming escorts, rather than choosing that career path consensually. There is a significant difference.
I also recommend reading the article, especially the section where Heather Berg, a lecturer in gender and sexuality studies at Dornsife College at the University of Southern California, shares her thoughts on the matter.
Porn Actresses Accuse Powerful Industry Agent of Fraud, Sex Abuse
LA Direct was founded by Derek Hay in 2000. From its inception until around 2014, the agency represented some of the biggest names in the industry, including Alexis Texas, Tori Black, and Nikki Benz. These women rose to fame with the help of Derek Hay and LA Direct Models. The agency also managed bookings for featured dancers, forming a significant network in the industry—but more on that later.
For a while, everything seemed to be going well for the agency. They had top-tier models, strong networking, and had grown so large they even launched a website, L.A. Direct News, to keep fans updated on their activities. The future looked bright until the agency's controversies came to light.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the agency faced serious accusations. There were allegations of sexual abuse, trafficking, and multiple violations of employment standards under Derek Hay's leadership. Today, these issues have been highlighted in an NBC-produced documentary, which details how LA Direct evolved from a small business in a studio apartment to a massive agency allegedly run by a corrupt individual.
Several actresses represented by LA Direct shared their experiences with NBC in the documentary (you can fin din article). They described how they were financially manipulated and funneled into prostitution by Hay. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Hay denied any wrongdoing or connection to illegal escorting during a hearing before the Labor Commissioner's Office. He also posted a 50-minute video online (you'll find below), denying he forced clients to perform sexual acts or funneled them into prostitution.
"Obviously, the question itself is offensive in nature," Hay said in the video, addressing allegations that he coerced clients into performing sexual acts on him in exchange for better bookings or reducing debt. The women who brought the complaint are identified as Jane Does 1 through 4. They fear retaliatory physical or mental harm and the ruin of their careers by a powerful industry insider.
NBC spoke to 26 current and former adult film performers and other agents, many of whom made similar allegations to those contained in the complaints to the Labor Commissioner's Office. Many individuals expressed fear of coming forward due to potential retaliation.
One performer, Adria Rae, who signed with LA Direct Models, described experiences similar to those alleged in the complaint. Although she has not filed a formal complaint, Rae shared her concerns: "It terrifies me that another young girl could fall victim to something like this," she said, using her screen name.
The complaint also accuses Hay of signing multi-year, multi-page contracts with his clients but only submitting one page for approval by the Labor Commissioner's Office. It alleges that he requires producers to pay more than his clients' agreed-upon fees and fails to pay his clients their share. Additionally, the complaint links Hay to an illegal escort business called The Luxury Companion, allegedly owned by Dwight Cunningham and Karine Michmichian. We've all come across The Luxury Companion at least once in our searches at one time or another. I've never met anyone who's actually booked through the agency, but it was part of the community for some time. It claims Hay used The Luxury Companion to book sexual encounters with his own clients and that they exchanged secret referral fees.
This brave group of women coming forward in the face of potential personal and professional risks underscores the ongoing challenges and dangers within the adult entertainment industry. Their actions aim to vindicate their rights as actors and human beings and to protect others from similar exploitation.
My 2 cents: I strongly advise you to watch this documentary. The stories these actresses are telling are some of the scariest and most vile things I've ever heard. Keep in mind that these are allegations from the models, but as I always say: if it's one or two people saying something, it's a rumor; if it's 26 people saying it, then it's a fact. This man is allegedly one of the worst people to work with in the industry. The fact that none of this is new news to the industry, with accusations starting even before the pandemic, and that it's still happening today, is absolutely disgusting.
Again, I advise you to either read the article or watch the documentary. It really illustrates how these women were backed into a corner and forced into becoming escorts, rather than choosing that career path consensually. There is a significant difference.
I also recommend reading the article, especially the section where Heather Berg, a lecturer in gender and sexuality studies at Dornsife College at the University of Southern California, shares her thoughts on the matter.
Porn Actresses Accuse Powerful Industry Agent of Fraud, Sex Abuse
