2025 TEA Lifetime Achievement Award: Yasmin Lee

Lifetime Achievement Award: Yasmin Lee

Shortly after last year’s show, I was messaged by a peer asking why Yasmin Lee had never been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. I replied that she had; she was one of the first recipients of it ‘back in the day.’ then went to check the year. When I couldn’t find it, I messaged Kristel and Alex, and they checked. The Mandela effect was in full force, and when I realized this, I was surprised, shocked, and more than a little embarrassed that one of the industry’s most beloved performers who also appeared in Hollywood releases (and who is always so gracious with her support of the TEAs) had been omitted.

So we’re putting this right.

Yasmin Lee. We all know the name and we all know who she is. Yasmin is very much a Star. Her presence and allure enter the room first, parting the crowds for the stunning and statuesque unique individual that follows. Her smile radiates throughout the room; she holds herself with poise and grace. Yasmin always has time and a kind word for everyone and is a superb ambassador and example for trans porn and the performers working in it.

Yasmin has a unique background, a story to tell that is still unfolding, and it’s made her into the woman she is today. Born in war-torn Cambodia, her family was imprisoned in a work camp for over five years, and it was during their perilous escape that Yasmin was born in the Cambodian jungle, then surviving as a refugee in Thailand, and the Philippines before settling in Orange County, CA.  As a child of refugees, she had a unique perspective on life in California and the US, and like many others, she joined the US Navy. She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a makeup artist in mainstream entertainment.

In a competitive industry, Yasmin found work as an assistant and production assistant for Anabolic (one of the biggest adult video production companies of the 1990s), where she applied her makeup skills in various productions before being pivotal in the launch of their first trans series. In 2005, when one of the actresses canceled from ‘Tgirls 2’, she cast herself in the role, and the rest, as they say, is history! As a fan, I thank the model that dropped out so Yasmin could take her place. 

From that serendipitous toe-dip as a performer, Yasmin crafted collaborations with Rodney Moore for his ‘Sh*male Strokers’ series (later called ‘Transational Fantasies’), as well as becoming a favorite for Joey Silvera at Evil Angel and appearing on GroobyGirls shooting with Buddy Wood. But I believe it’s Yasmin’s work with Kink for which she’ll be mostly remembered, a company that at this time would parallel the processes of mainstream filmmaking in their approach, their props, production, and the filming of the scenes. 

Yasmin was Kink’s most popular, prolific, and in-demand trans performer. She excelled in the roles she was given, and she dominated over 50 scenes, with male performers such as Sebastian Keys, Will Havoc, Rick Fantana, Eli Hunter, and many more.

Mainstream media next came calling, and Yasmin memorably appeared on Maury Povich and America’s Next Top Model, which led to a breakout role in the hit ‘The Hangover Part II’ in 2011, working alongside Ed Helms, Zack Galifianakis, and Bradley Cooper. This led to projects such as “Red Ice,” “Promoted,” “Loves Me, Loves Me Not,” and “Bloomers”.

Yasmin has been focused for the last few years on creating her own content, following the trend of many performers, capitalizing on and continuing her brand, and delivering directly to her many fans the porn they want.

I’ve always been a little bit in awe of Yasmin. As mentioned, she’s one of the true stars of trans porn, and she’s as relevant in 2025 as she’s always been. When you learn a little more about her background, when you get to spend some time and find out how sharp her intelligence is, but also how humble and lovely she is to everyone, then she becomes even more endearing. It’s been my honor to have her at the TEAs for many years. As a long-time presenter, usually for the last (and largest) award of the evening, but this year, I’m even more honored to be able to finally recognize Yasmin for who she is and to honor her life and achievements she has made in trans porn.  I give my thanks to Yasmin on behalf of the adult trans industry and its many fans, of which I count myself as one.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Yasmin Lee.

–Steven Grooby