Updated: NBC Investigates Allegations Against LA Direct's Derek Hay

Updated: NBC Investigates Allegations Against LA Direct's Derek Hay

LOS ANGELES — NBC released today a 75-minute exposé investigating accusations against prominent industry agent Derek Hay and his agency LA Direct Models by several adult performers he formerly represented.

Hay, who has also performed under the name Ben English, founded LA Direct Models in his native U.K. in the early 2000s and built it into a leading LA- and Vegas-based operation during the last two decades.

NBC producer/editor Dan Przygoda reported the piece by interviewing performers Bunny Colby, Lydia Dupra, Adria Rae and Hadley Viscara, all of whom had been represented by Hay. Przygoda also interviewed Lisa Ann, who worked for Hay’s agency during a break from performing in the mid-2000s, and performer and sex worker advocate Siouxsie Q, who offered illuminating context about how some of Hay’s business practices differed from industry standards.

According to the final credit plates, the documentarists “made repeated attempts to interview Derek Hay on-camera for this documentary.” After indicating he “would be open to the interview,” Hay stopped communicating with the filmmakers after they refused to agree to “a set of pre-conditions, such as that no single answer could be edited and must be show in full.” Hay’s associates, accused in the documentary of running an escorting operation parallel to the agency, also refused to cooperate with the film.

The article that accompanies NBC’s documentary points out that four models (only identified as “Jane Doe”s) filed a complaint last June with the California Labor Commissioner. The State Labor Board of California is tasked with regulating modeling agencies like LA Direct and also with approving contracts between talent and agencies.

NBC reports that the models “say in the complaint that they fear retaliatory physical or mental harm and the ruin of their careers by a powerful industry insider.”

Hay, during a hearing before the state labor commissioner, denied any wrongdoing.

Przygoda’s visual storytelling mixes important first-hand accounts about Hay with salacious re-enactments featuring typical mainstream clichés about sex work — female torsos in lingerie, eerie musical cues, hands counting dollar bills, etc. NBC says it has spoken to 26 current and former adult performers and agents who “made allegations similar to those contained in the complaints to the labor commissioner.”

NBC did not interview the “Jane Doe”s from the June 2018 complaint, focusing instead on other models who have also spoken out against Hay and LA Direct.

Adria Rae, one of the performers interviewed by Przygoda, said she agreed to participate because she was “terrified […] that another young girl could fall victim to something like this.”

Rae was referring to what the documentary depicts as a pattern of controling behavior on Hay’s part towards LA Direct’s models, starting with unusually lengthy contracts, unclear accounting practices, a culture of intrusive surveillance, leading to what NBC’s story describes as the way they were “financially manipulated and funneled into prostitution.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Leana Lovings, Aria Banks Front Latest From Reality Kings

Leana Lovings and Aria Banks star in the latest release from Reality Kings, titled "Synchronized Scissoring."

Penthouse Names Lennon Elizabeth April's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named model Lennon Elizabeth as Pet of the Month for April.

Bella Spark, Kelly Collins Star in Finale of VMG Cross-Site Feature 'Bang and Burn'

Bella Spark and Kelly Collins star with Vixen Media Group exclusive Jason Luv in the final installment of the cross-site spy feature "Bang and Burn."

Jade Kimiko, Cecelia Taylor Headline 'Women Seeking Women 199'

Jade Kimiko and Cecelia Taylor topline “Women Seeking Women 199” from Girlfriends Films.

Kaela Luna Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Kaela Luna has made her TransAngles debut alongside Parker Savage and Harrison Feels in “Jackhammering Kaela.”

Adult Time Marks April Fool's Day With 5 Satirical Releases

Adult Time is marking April Fool’s Day with the release of satirical scenes from five of its series.

Adult Time Wraps Production on Bree Mills' Feature 'Escape From Camp Conversion'

Adult Time has wrapped production on its latest feature, the Bree Mills-helmed "Escape From Camp Conversion," from its Girlcore studio brand.

Daisy Fox Makes Her TeamSkeet Debut

Daisy Fox makes her TeamSkeet debut in the latest episode of the studio series "She's New," titled "A Foxy Little Newcomer," with Nicky Rebel.

Elizabeth Skylar Performs Her 1st B/B/G in Latest From New Sensations

Elizabeth Skylar has performed her first B/B/G in the latest scene from New Sensations, with Codey Steele and Milan Ponjevic.

Show More