Chicago resident Johnny V honored at 2019 Grabby Award Show
Mon. July 15, 2019 8:54 AM by Ross Forman
![](/c/I/48108-144329.jpg)
johnny v. at the 2019 grabby awards
photo credit // ken brown
Johnny V: 'I worked my ass off to get here and this award is proof of it.'
Johnny V earned a spot on the Grabbys Wall of Fame earlier this summer – and he promptly dedicated the honor to the late Mark Nagel.
"Without him and Stacy Bridges, this (award) would not be possible," said Johnny V, a Chicago resident who was recognized in late-May at the annual Grabby Award Show, held to highlight top talent and performances in the gay erotic film industry. The Grabbys is held in Chicago, and Johnny V was one of this year's co-hosts.
The awards are sponsored by Chicago-based Grab Magazine and Grab co-founder Nagel passed away suddenly on Feb. 4. He was 57.
"I found out (about the honor) at the award show after fulfilling my duties as a co-host," he said. "It was announced on stage at the award ceremony (and) I was overjoyed when I heard the news. I was not expecting it at all."
Johnny V works at Hydrate Nightclub as a security guard and lead bar-back. He also is an independent contractor as a porn star, dancer and model for various studios/companies.
"To me, the award means great accomplishment, (that) hard work pays off," he said. "This honor (has) great importance to me. I worked my ass off to get here and this award is proof of it. Good things do happen to good people.
"Being honored in my hometown of Chicago was the icing on the cake, surrounded by everyone I know and love."
View photos from the 2019 Grabby Awards
"Without him and Stacy Bridges, this (award) would not be possible," said Johnny V, a Chicago resident who was recognized in late-May at the annual Grabby Award Show, held to highlight top talent and performances in the gay erotic film industry. The Grabbys is held in Chicago, and Johnny V was one of this year's co-hosts.
The awards are sponsored by Chicago-based Grab Magazine and Grab co-founder Nagel passed away suddenly on Feb. 4. He was 57.
"I found out (about the honor) at the award show after fulfilling my duties as a co-host," he said. "It was announced on stage at the award ceremony (and) I was overjoyed when I heard the news. I was not expecting it at all."
Johnny V works at Hydrate Nightclub as a security guard and lead bar-back. He also is an independent contractor as a porn star, dancer and model for various studios/companies.
"To me, the award means great accomplishment, (that) hard work pays off," he said. "This honor (has) great importance to me. I worked my ass off to get here and this award is proof of it. Good things do happen to good people.
"Being honored in my hometown of Chicago was the icing on the cake, surrounded by everyone I know and love."
View photos from the 2019 Grabby Awards