Meet the Hookies Nominees!

Who will win Best International Escort of 2009? The answer will be revealed this Friday night (March 30) at Splash where Rentboy.com's 3rd Annual International Escort Awards Show, now officially called "The Hookies,," takes place. The fifteen awards, chosen by voting on the web, honors, according to a press release, "all aspects of the oldest profession as presented in the newest media. The Awards are presented by Rentboy.com and hosted this year by drag artist and downtown celebrity Shequida."

The release continues:

"This year's awards process began on Rentboy.com back in December, 2008, where satisfied customers and admirers chose from their favorite escort listings online to nominate them for the contest. In February, 2009, the escorts with the most votes were made finalists in these 15 categories: Best Top, Best Ass, Best Fetish Escort, Best Versatile, Sexiest Escort, Best Pornstar Escort, Best Escort Agency, Best Personal Escort Website, Biggest Dick, Best Rentboy Ad, Best Bodyworker, Best Bewcomer, Best Tattoos, and Best Duo Escorts. Online voting will continue right up until the night of the contest at www.rentboy.com/awards.

"Onstage at Splash in New York City, the awards will be presented by Shequida and a bevy of well known porn stars and downtown celebrities. Award presenters will include recording artist and comedian Johnny "The Gay Pimp" McGovern of LOGO channel's The Big Gay Sketch Show, as well as legendary porn director Michael Lucas, and surprise guests.

"Remember, you can personally say thanks to the world's hottest hunks for sale by going to www.Rentboy.com/awards to vote for the winner of the 3rd Annual International Escort Awards. Or you can come meet them in person at the live ceremony in New York, March 20th, a night of gay entertainment, eroticism, applause, and laughs unlike any awards show you have seen before! Rentboy.com has decided to invite the world to the festivities for Free. Splash Bar will be free for entry until 10pm. After the awards, the evening will continue with dance music from DJ Brett Henrichsen."

EDGE caught up with a number of the nominees. Read what they had to say...

Kaleb Scott

Nominated a both Best Ass Escort and Best Fetish Escort.
His website.

Why and how did you become a Rentboy?

I was stripping one night and a man was relentless about hiring me and taking me home. Back then, I had no intention of allowing that to happen. It wasn't even something I'd thought about before. Long story short, he was persistent and it was a really wonderful and hot experience. I love to please and enjoy meeting men from all over the world. Not to mention, I love sex so it all just came together and I've had an awesome time thus far.

Why do you think you were selected as a finalist in your category?

I was nominated in two categories. For "Best Ass", all I can say is ballet has been very good to me over the years. I'm a trained dancer and insist the best ass workout is dance. As for "Best Fetish", I love pushing the envelope and trying new things. I can be sweet and soft when it comes to sex but I also have a very dirty side. Haha. I'm especially into watersports which has been a very public fetish of mine.

Is the honor of being nominated enough... or are you in it to win it?

I didn't rally at all for the nomination. It came as a complete surprise to me and I feel very honored. My biggest concern has always been about the work and connecting with each individual client. Awards are just the icing on the cake.

What would winning the category mean for your escorting career?

I guess we'd just have to wait and see. I've kind of taken a step back from porn but am always in talks with people who I think share the same vision as I do when it comes to movies. I never say never. You just might see me taking things to a whole other level on film soon enough.

What's the best thing about being an escort?

I love meeting men from all over the world. Escorting has given me an opportunity to meet people that I may not have otherwise and I feel I'm a better person for it. Wow... I guess my friends are right... I DO sound too damn happy all the time. Haha.

Besides yourself, will you be rooting for any other nominees? Who?

I wish every single nominee the very best and much luck. I don't really have any favorites.

If you win, who will you thank in your acceptance speech?

Brandon Baker (of Rentboy.com L.A.)--for being the awesome guy he is and for always being there when I needed him. Rentboy and everyone else who works there--for giving us an amazing place to advertise and for getting out there to let people know that escorting can truly be a respected profession. Chip Daniels--for giving me my start in movies and teaching me so much. Everyone at Boys-Pissing.com--for creating something awesome. I'm so glad I got an opportunity to be a part of it. Lastly, I just want to thank all the other escorts and porn stars for having the courage to do what you do regardless of judgment. Keep being true to yourself and you will always find success.

Nelson Troy

Nominated Best Newcomer Escort.
His website.

Congratulations on beating out thousands of other men in your category! Why and how did you become a Rentboy?

I started go-go dancing for Rentboy at their events in West Hollywood. My boyfriend, (Pornstar Allesandro Del Toro) is a Rentboy, and he introduced me to it.

Why do you think you were selected as a finalist in your category?

Everyone had asked me to escort for a while, so I guess they are glad I finally got into it. I have great photographs online, and I'm new-everyone love's a new guy!

Is the honor of being nominated enough... or are you in it to win it?

I am here to WIN!

What would winning the category mean for your escorting career?

Winning would mean quite a lot of notoriety, and I welcome this kind of attention to quality of work!

What's the best thing about being an escort?

I love being independent and setting my own price. I also Love to be admired.

Are you planning to attend the awards ceremony? What will you wear? (Please include designer's names, if applicable.)

If I attend the NY ceremony, I may bring attire from Andrew Christian as well as a great pair of designer jeans

Besides yourself, will you be rooting for any other nominees? Who?

I'll be rooting for my friend Rusty as Best Versatile Escort! May the best Man Win!
Who do you expect will be your toughest competition in your category?

Jason Pit, he's a cutie.

If you win, who will you thank in your acceptance speech? (Please explain how these people have helped your career.)

Brandon Baker for Welcoming me to Rentboy even before I ever stepped into the Porn Ring! Thank you!!! I also would like to thank my boyfriend pornstar Alessandro Del Toro for showing me how it's done!

Nick Capra

Nominated Best Pornstar Escort.
His website.

Why and how did you become a Rentboy?

I realized at a very young age that I loved having sex with men. All types of men..I'm not too particular about looks. As long as there is a chemistry, then there is going to be a sexual connection. Looks are good, but charisma is everything. I began my career in the Porn Industry in February of 2002. I just felt that doing Videos was not enough. I wanted to share myself with more men than the Industry limited me to. Not just the pretty guys..EVERYONE!

I dig getting men off, and I love receiving the love and affection that comes with that. (The gratuity helps as well!)

So, escorting seemed like the next natural outlet for all my sexual energy. I wanted to be on a site that allowed my image to be accessible to as many people as possible. So, I went to Rentboy. Where else would I go?

Why do you think you were selected as a finalist in your category?

I think I was selected by the people who have experienced me both in person, at Rentboy parties, and in my Videos. I am pretty consistant. Sexually overt. Kind to all. And very affectionate.
I am always knocked out to be acknowledged by people for what I do.

These nominations made my day!

Is the honor of being nominated enough... or are you in it to win it?

As I said previously, being nominated is definitely an honor, but I feel that I am worthy of winning because I honestly love my work and love connecting with men all over the world through Rentboy!

I have already set up a 'Vote For Me' page on my blog. My buddy, porn director/producer Jett Blakk is endorsing me on his blog as well..I want this badly!!

What would winning the category mean for your escorting or porn career (or website)?

It would mean so much for me in every arena. Being acknowledged as an International Escort Award winner would obviously help generate more business for me with clients, which I love. So many of the clients and I have formed really great connections over the years that have lasted. I always look forward to meeting more men and establishing even more hot connections. Both personal, and of course, sexual.

I have also been working on a new membership site, www.nickcapra.com for the last year and I am sure winning these awards theough Rentboy would help generate more interest in my site as well! That, in itself would be awesome because there are many men out there who I wont have the opportunity to meet with in person, so they can enjoy the sex with me from the comfort of their computers! I love the idea of men jerking off to me. It gets me hard!

What is the best thing about being an escort?

As I said previously, it's the satisfaction and pleasure I get from making the connections with all the different men I meet and getting them off..fulfilling their fantasies 100%!

Are you planning to attend the awards ceremony? What will you wear? (Please include designer's names, if applicable.)

Of course I will be attending! I haven't planned my ensemble yet, but I'm sure it will be something hot and sexy for everyone to appreciate!

Besides yourself, will you be rooting for any other nominees? Who?

I will be rooting for all the men nominated, but essentially I have a huge crush on one of the nominees whom I think deserves to win. Mr. Miklos! yum!

Who do you expect will be your toughest competition in your category?

Zeb Atlas & Robert Van Damme in Best Porn Star category.

If you win, who will you thank in your acceptance speech? (Please explain how these people have helped your career.)

Well, most important will be the fans. They have given me everything I have today. Also. my Agent, Howard at FabScout for taking a chance on my last year when I was still early in my sobriety (I now have over a year of consecutive clean time)
And most definitely, Brandon and Sean at Rentboy for including on all the amazing parties last year (Palm Springs,Pittsburg,Ft Lauderdale,and LA) that brought me so much closer to the fans, as well as helping to gear me for the current success that I have had with new Videos and current projects.

I love what I do and I wouldn't trade my life as an International Escort and Porn Star for anything in the world!

Ryan Raz

nominated as Best Pornstar Escort.
His website.

Congratulations on beating out thousands of other men in your category!

Why and how did you become a Rentboy?

When I entered the Adult Entertainment Industry there were a lot of people that wanted to spend time with me, rentboy acted as a great way for those people to get in touch with me and arrange meetings.

Why do you think you were selected as a finalist in your category?

That's an easy one to answer...I am the best.

Is the honor of being nominated enough... or are you in it to win it?

Being nominated is an honor, but winning would be the icing on the cake.

What would winning the category mean for your escorting or porn career (or website)?

I am already a busy person, something tells me I would get even
bussier. All joking aside, my mom has to check my add to see where in the world I am.

What's the best thing about being an escort?

I make my own rules and do what I want when I want to. I can travel where ever I want to and there are people that want to meet me.

Are you planning to attend the awards ceremony? What will you wear? (Please include designer's names, if applicable.)

I will be in attendance and I will be wearing an outfit from Armani Exchange's new spring line.

Ace, Rock Star Fantasy

Nominated as Best Fetish Escort.
His website.

Why and how did you become a Rentboy?

I get asked this question alot by clients!! My answer is always "out of desperation"-at first, anyway. What had happened is that I moved to Vegas with a boyfriend who pretty much left me like a dog, with a huge stack of bills, all in my name, naturally! A friend of mine (ok, well actually a "fuck-buddy" at the time) suggested that I become a Rentboy and to be totally honest, I had no idea what that was! I thought about it, dismissed the idea and then thought, "What the hell...I'll put up an ad." I got a few calls, really enjoyed the "rush" and it went from being a really cool part-time job to a way of life!

Why do you think you were selected as a finalist in your category?

I never really thought of myself as a big fetish provider, but after I posted a photo of myself in leather, I started to get alot of roleplay and fetish calls. I would think I got nominated because the guys that have hired me came away with something to remember me by--I've always had a twisted mind!

Is the honor of being nominated enough... or are you in it to win it?

The nomination is very cool and I'm really happy to see my name in with all of these guys! Winning would be amazing, but having people know who I am and what I do is more than enough for me. Now, where will I put that award?!...lol

What would winning the category mean for your escorting career?

I think it would add more credibility to what I do, as well as put potential clients at ease, sort of a built-in review if you will!

What's the best thing about being an escort?

Hands down, meeting some very interesting people and seeing the world by traveling as an escort!

Are you planning to attend the awards ceremony? What will you wear? (Please include designer's names, if applicable.)

I'm trying to coordinate my schedule so that I can be there! I love hanging with "the boys" at Rentboy events. As for what I would wear--something fitting my category!

Besides yourself, will you be rooting for any other nominees? Who?

I took a look at the nominees and have had the opportunity to meet and or work with a few of the guys, so, naturally I'm rooting for them. Aaron Mark, Diesel Washington, Rusty, Nick Capra...all great guys!

Who do you expect will be your toughest competition in your category?

They all look pretty tough to me, and hot!

If you win, who will you thank in your acceptance speech? (Please explain how these people have helped your career.)

First and foremost, I would thank everyone who has hired me, left a review or voted for me. Let's face it, that's how it starts! Then, oddly enough, I would thank the ex-boyfriend who got me into escorting in the first place.

Mike NYC

Nominated Best Versatile Escort and Best Rentboy Ad
His website.

Congratulations on beating out thousands of other men in your category!
Why and how did you become a Rentboy?

I needed to make some extra cash. Peeps kept asking me all the time if i was doing some escorting, over and over again. So I decided to do it and I am glad I did.

Why do you think you were selected as a finalist in your category?

I have no idea, lol.. I believe everybody had a shoot. I guess its part luck and maybe my customers were satisfied with my work.

Is the honor of being nominated enough... or are you in it to win it?

I was surprised to be nominated. If I win I'll be damn happy and flattered, did you see how many hot guys I'm competing with?

What would winning the category mean for your escorting career?

It will mean that I am good at what I do and I do something right with my clients, I suppose. I'll be kind of proud about it.

What's the best thing about being an escort?

Meeting interesting people. Most of my clients are really cool and I get off getting paid for it . What more can I ask?

Are you planning to attend the awards ceremony? What will you wear? (Please include designer's names, if applicable.)

Yes, I'll be attending, it's in my hometown, NYC. I'll wear what I always wear-- jeans and t-shirt... comfort comes before style for me.

Besides yourself, will you be rooting for any other nominees? Who?
Yeah I voted for "John". He is mad cute.

Who do you expect will be your toughest competition in your category?
As I said everyone has a shot. It's hard to tell who is better than the rest. We are all different in our own way. I am still shocked I am nominated!! lol

If you win, who will you thank in your acceptance speech? (Please explain how these people have helped your career.)
Most of all I'll thank Rentboy.com. I tried many other websites and there is nothing like Rentboy. I'll also thank all my regular clients...they are my friends too now.