2021 is not necessarily an easy time to be a pornstar. Major outlets and bill processors have threatened to de-platform adult entertainment. The ongoing COVID pandemic has created major disruptions in production schedules and supply chains. Through it all, though, Cherie DeVille has embodied everything that we love most about our industry: resilience, pluck, intelligence, and openness.

She is one of porn’s greatest ambassadors, and that’s why we’re delighted to name her the 2021 Adult Empire Pornstar of the Year!

Indeed, whoever said it was impossible to be (almost) all things to be all people apparently never met DeVille. She deftly moves through a series of guises with grace and determination. She has thrived producing independent content while still maintaining an enthralling presence in studio porn movies.

Her witty, incisive essays for Daily Beast have spotlighted a variety of issues important to sex workers and the industry. And she is a consistently popular performer, acing MILF scenarios and complicated character performances with equal aplomb.

Furthermore, DeVille prides herself on being a representative for the industry. You’ll find her quoted in mainstream media outlets and appearing on major podcasts of many genres. In all cases, she is forthright, articulate, and persuasive.

“Cherie DeVille’s performances are incredible, but her talents go far beyond that,” said an Adult Empire representative. “She is truly an ambassador for our industry.”

Her many colleagues also stand in awe of DeVille’s amazing career. In a recent Adult Empire interview, Deville co-star Sinn Sage described the star as “the most beautiful, amazing, sexy, sensual, happy, loving [person]. She’s one of the best people I’ve ever met in my life. I love her so much!”

Adult Empire is pleased to count itself among the many outlets blessed with DeVille’s talents over the years. She served as AE correspondent to the AVN Red Carpet in 2019 and 2020, in addition to appearing in AE Films‘ MILF Dreams.

In sum, DeVille was a clear, obvious choice for this year’s honor! Adult Empire awards its Pornstar of the Year prize each December to the star who is viewed to have most shaped the world of porn in a given year. Prior winners include Angela White (2018 and 2019) and Emily Willis (2020). The award has often been an early cue to prizewinners in the major industry shows, as both White and Willis went on to capture Performer of the Year designations.

In a new interview, recorded shortly after Cherie was notified of her Pornstar of the Year win, the star discusses her big year. Excerpts from the interview are transcribed below! Listen to the full-length interview to hear DeVille’s take on many other topics, including her Brazzers contract, internet porn’s impact on sexuality, the role of agencies and PR firms in porn, the changing nature of custom videos, and more.

You can check out some of Cherie DeVille’s many wonderful movies here including the newly released compilation from Adam & Eve – Red Hot Lust.