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Billy Porter
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William Ellis Porter II (born September 21, 1969) is an American singer, actor, writer, director and businessperson.[2][3][4] He gained notice performing on Broadway before starting a solo career as a singer and actor.[5] For his role as Lola in Kinky Boots, he won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He credits the part for "cracking open" his feminine side to confront toxic masculinity.[6] He also won the 2014 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the musical's accompanying album.

Key Information

Porter starred in all three seasons of the television series Pose, for which he was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and won the 2019 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first gay black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys.[7] In 2020, he was included on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[8] In 2022, he won another Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.

He made his directorial debut in 2022 with the romantic comedy film Anything's Possible. Porter received the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the 77th Tony Awards for his humanitarian work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Entertainment Community Fund.

Early life and education

[edit]

Porter was born on September 21, 1969, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to William Ellis Porter and Cloerinda Jean Johnson Porter Ford.[1][9][10] His sister is Mary Martha E. Ford.[11][12][13] He grew up in a "very religious" Pentecostal family[14] and has described being sexually abused by his stepfather between the ages of 7 and 12.[14]

He attended Reizenstein Middle School, before graduating from Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School in 1987.[15] During the summers of 1985 through 1987, Porter was a member of entertainment groups "Spirit" and "Flash," which performed daily at Kennywood, a Pittsburgh-area amusement park.

Although he was eager to move to New York City, one of Porter's high school teachers encouraged him to apply to Carnegie Mellon University.[16] He credits his teachers as "angels in his life" for guiding him towards educational opportunities that prepared him for his career. Porter once reflected upon this decision:[16]

It's about access. It's about opportunity. It's about knowledge. I lived a 12-minute drive from Carnegie Mellon University for my entire life and had no idea that it was one of the best drama schools in the world. How did I not know that? This is what we mean when we say it's not equal—it's not a level playing field. Had [my teacher] not said something, I would have moved to New York City unprepared and tanked. It was because of teachers, the angels in my life who saw me before I could even see myself, and said, "You're going over here. Just listen." And I knew enough to actually shut up and listen.

He graduated from the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama in 1991[17] and later earned a certification from the graduate-level Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA.[18]

Career

[edit]

Porter appeared on American talent show Star Search in 1992 and won $100,000, appearing on the same show as other future stars, such as a young Britney Spears.[19]

Porter played Teen Angel in the 1994 Broadway revival of Grease. Other shows he has been in include Miss Saigon on Broadway (1991; 1999), Topdog/Underdog at City Theatre (2004),[20] Jesus Christ Superstar and Dreamgirls at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (2004),[21] and the song cycles Myths and Hymns and Songs for a New World (Off-Broadway, 1995).[22]

Porter wrote and performed in his one-person autobiographical show, Ghetto Superstar (The Man That I Am) at Joe's Pub in New York City in February and March 2005.[22][23][24] He was nominated for "Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway & Off Broadway Award" at the 17th GLAAD Media Awards.[25]

In September 2010, Porter appeared as Belize in Signature Theatre Company's 20th Anniversary production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America.[22][26]

Porter's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Porter originated the role of "Lola" in Kinky Boots on Broadway in 2013, with songs by Cyndi Lauper, book by Harvey Fierstein and directed/choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. Porter won both the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for this role.[27][28]

Porter has also appeared in several films. He played a major role as Shiniqua, a drag queen who befriends Angel (David Norona) and Lee (Keivyn McNeill Graves) in Seth Michael Donsky's Twisted (1997), an adaptation of Oliver Twist.[29] He has also appeared on The RuPaul Show.

He has had a musical career with three solo albums released, Billy Porter on DV8/A&M Records in 1997, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul in 2005 on Sh-K-Boom Records and Billy's Back on Broadway (Concord Music Group) in 2014. He featured in a number of songs in the tribute album It's Only Life: The Songs of John Bucchino in 2006, released on PS Classics.[30] He sings on Adam Guettel's 1999 album Myths and Hymns studio cast album on Nonesuch Records.[31] He also covered "Only One Road" that was included on the Human Rights Campaign compilation album Love Rocks.

Porter wrote the play While I Yet Live, which premiered Off-Broadway at Primary Stages in September 2014 in previews, officially on October 12. In addition to Porter, the cast included Lillias White and S. Epatha Merkerson.[22][32]

Porter released Billy Porter Presents the Soul of Richard Rodgers in April 2017.[33] The album, which features new, soulful takes on classic Richard Rodgers songs, includes solos and duets from the following artists (in addition to Porter himself): Tony and Grammy Award winners Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Tony Award-winner Patina Miller (Pippin), Grammy Award winners Pentatonix, India Arie and Ledisi, Tony Award nominees Brandon Victor Dixon (Shuffle Along), Joshua Henry (Violet), and Christopher Jackson (Hamilton), alongside YouTube and Kinky Boots star Todrick Hall and multiple Grammy Award nominee Deborah Cox.[34]

Porter reprised the role of Lola in Kinky Boots in September 2017 on Broadway, where he did a 15-week run.[35]

Porter performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 2, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

In 2018, Porter starred in the FX show Pose in the role of Pray Tell. In 2019, Pose earned its renewal for a third season after airing just one episode from the second season. In August 2018, Porter confirmed via Instagram that he was joining the cast of American Horror Story for its eighth season, subtitled Apocalypse.[36][37] Porter duetted with Pose co-star Dyllón Burnside and sang from his album in a benefit concert emceed by Burnside on July 23, 2018, to celebrate the season 1 finale and to raise money for GLSEN.[38][39][40] In June 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, sparking the start of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, Queerty named him one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance, and dignity for all queer people".[41] Also in June 2019, he presented the Excellence in Theatre Education Award at the 73rd Tonys at Radio City Music Hall. However, he earned media coverage for his haute couture red and pink gown, upcycled from Kinky Boots' stage curtains, in a uterine shape,[42] and his impromptu performance of "Everything's Coming up Roses" from Gypsy, for host James Corden's "Broadway karaoke".[43] In September 2019, Porter was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Pose, becoming the first openly gay black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys.[44]

Also, in 2019, Porter had a cameo appearance in Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" music video that featured twenty LGBTQ icons.[45]

Porter performed "For What It's Worth" with Stephen Stills during the 2020 Democratic National Convention.[46]

His memoir, Unprotected, was released in 2021.[47] In 2022, Porter was included in the book 50 Key Figures in Queer US Theatre, with a chapter written by theatre scholar Eric M. Glover.[48]

On December 1, 2022, Porter was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[49][50]

In April 2023, he was set to play James Baldwin in an upcoming biopic.[51]

Porter starred as Emcee in the London revival of Cabaret from January to May 2025 alongside Marisha Wallace.[52] Porter reprised the role on Broadway, alongside Wallace, from July until September 2025. The Broadway revival was originally slated to run until October 19, but set an earlier close date as Porter withdrew while recovering from a serious case of sepsis.[53][54]

In March 2025, it was announced that Porter is featured on In the Garden, a concept album and musical by the artist Boyfriend set for release on May 9, 2025. The album reimagines the story of Adam and Eve but through Eve's lens. The project features Boyfriend as Eve alongside Porter (narrator), Jake Shears (Adam), Big Freedia (God), and Peaches (Serpent).[55]

Fashion

[edit]
Porter at New York Pride 2019

Porter attributes his love of fashion from an early age to growing up in the black church which he describes as "a fashion show".[56] His style has gone through many phases over the years, including vintage, Abercrombie and Fitch and geek chic.[57] He has said that he intentionally set out to use fashion in a political way, to be a "walking piece of political art".[58] Porter's stylist Sam Ratelle estimated that as of January 2020 they had worked on 150 red carpet looks together[59] many designed by Porter himself.[60] As of 2021, Porter's stylist is Ty Hunter, who has previously worked with Beyoncé.[57]

He later became known for wearing a Gucci outfit to the Met Gala.

At the 2019 Golden Globes, Porter gained attention for wearing an embroidered suit and pink cape designed by Randi Rahm.[61] He said the fact that people were surprised that he wore a cape inspired him to ask Christian Siriano if he could create him a ball gown because it was something he had always wanted to wear. He felt it seemed like a way to challenge people's ideas of masculinity.[62] He continued to make fashion waves that year when he wore a fitted tuxedo jacket and a velvet gown by Christian Siriano with 6" Rick Owens boots to the 91st Academy Awards.[63]

In February 2019, Porter was an Official Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Ambassador for New York Fashion Week: Mens.[64] Porter attended the 2019 Met Gala and embraced the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme by being carried on a litter by six shirtless men while sporting a "Sun God" ensemble. The Blonds designed Porter's outfit, and it included a bejeweled catsuit outfitted with 10 ft (3.0 m) wings, a 24-karat gold headpiece, as well as custom gold-leaf Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and fine jewels by Andreoli, John Hardy, and Oscar Heyman.[65]

In 2020, Porter wore a floor-length pink poncho style gown with a wide-brimmed black hat, a look he characterized as "Handmaid's Tale realness", to the AFI Awards and to the Golden Globes he wore an all-white ensemble that included a tuxedo jacket with a feathered train.[66] He wore a sparkling turquoise bodysuit with matching bolero[66] and a motorised hat to the Grammy awards.[67]

Concerts

[edit]

Porter has performed at various venues in New York City, including Lincoln Center, which was broadcast on PBS in 2015[68] and Joe's Pub in New York City.[69] In 2019 Porter headlined at London Pride.[58]

Porter performed "For What It's Worth" with Stephen Stills at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Personal life

[edit]

Porter is gay, having come out at the age of 16 "in the middle of the AIDS crisis".[14] He married Adam Smith on January 14, 2017, after meeting him in 2009.[70] He was very keen to get married "while Obama was still president and before January 20th, 2017", so the two got engaged on December 29, 2016, and married two weeks later.[70] In July 2023, it was announced that Porter and Smith had separated.[71]

Porter shared his views on race in the US in a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair, saying: "The reason why our country is in the mess we're in is simply because of whiteness. White supremacy. White people choke-holding power and sucking the life out of humanity."[72]

Porter opposed the cultural boycott of Israel.[73] In October 2023, he signed an open letter supporting Israel during the Gaza war.[74]

In May 2021, Porter told The Hollywood Reporter that he had been diagnosed with HIV in June 2007;[14] he was also diagnosed with type-2 diabetes in February 2007 and filed for bankruptcy in March 2007.[14] In the same interview, he talked about renting a house on Long Island during the COVID-19 pandemic due to his pre-existing health conditions[14] and about having intermittently attended psychotherapy since the age of 25.[14]

In September 2025, Porter came down with a serious case of sepsis, which caused him to withdraw from his starring role in a Broadway revival of Cabaret while he recovered.[54]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
  • 1997: "Show Me"/"What Iz Time"
  • 2005: "Awaiting You"/"Time" (Live) (Sh-K-Boom Records)
  • 2007: Billy Porter – Somewhere
  • 2009: Degrees Of Motion Featuring Billy Porter – Show Me
  • 2017: "Edelweiss"
  • 2019: "Love Yourself"
  • 2020: "For What It's Worth"
  • 2020: The Shapeshifters feat. Billy Porter "Finally Ready"[77]
  • 2021: "Children"
  • 2023: "Always Be My Man" (with Luke Evans) from Our Son[78]
  • 2025: "Never Say Never" (with Beverley Knight)

Other songs

[edit]

Appears in

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Twisted Siniqua [81]
1996 The First Wives Club Singer
1997 Anastasia Ensemble and character voices
2000 The Intern Sebastian Niederfarb [82]
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy Taylor [83]
2004 Noel Randy [84]
2014 The Humbling Prince [85]
2020 Like a Boss Barrett
2021 Cinderella Fabulous Godmother [86]
2022 Anything's Possible — Directorial debut[87]
2023 80 for Brady Gugu [88]
Our Son Gabriel
2026 The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Magno Stift Filming[89]
TBA Christmas Karma TBA Filming

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Another World Billy Rush Unknown episodes
1999 Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story Little Richard Television movie
2004 Law & Order Greg Ellison Episode: "Cry Wolf"
2007–2012 So You Think You Can Dance Performer 4 episodes
2012 The Big C Eric Episode: "Thin Ice"
2013 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jackie Walker Episode: "Dissonant Voices"
Land of Lola: Backstage at Kinky Boots Host 8 episodes
2014 Christmas at Rockefeller Plaza Performer Television special
2015 Billy Porter: Broad & Soul
2016 The Get Down DJ Malibu Episode: "Where There Is Ruin, There Is Hope for a Treasure"
2018–2021 Pose Pray Tell 24 episodes
Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, Drama Series (2019)
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2019)
Nominated—Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2019–2020)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2019–2020)
Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2020–2021)
Nominated—Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama
2018 American Horror Story: Apocalypse Behold Chablis 5 episodes
2019 Saturday Night Live Himself Episode: "David Harbour/Camila Cabello"
2019–2023 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Himself New Orleans correspondent (2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23), Times Square correspondent (2020–21)
2020 The Simpsons Desmond Voice, episode: "Highway to Well"
The Twilight Zone Keith Episode: "The Who of You"
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television
Saturday Night Seder Himself Television special
Equal Narrator 4 episodes
2021 That Damn Michael Che Atomic Twan / Security Guard 2 episodes
Middlemost Post Recycle King Voice, episode: "BURT! The Musical"[90]
Gossip Girl Himself Episode: "Hope Sinks"
2021–2022 Fairfax Hiroki Hassan Voice, 6 episodes
2022 Central Park Vance Voice, episode: "Celeste We Forget"
2022–present The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Randall Leibowitz-Jenkins Voice, 5 episodes
2023 Black + Iconic Host Episode: "Style Gods"
Dancing with the Stars Guest Judge Season 32
Big Mouth Ocean Voice, episode: "Big Mouth's Going to High School (But Not for Nine More Episodes)"

Theater

[edit]

Sources: Playbill Vault;[91] Off-Broadway Database[92]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Favorite Leading Actor in a Broadway Musical Kinky Boots Won [98]
Favorite Funny Performance Nominated [99]
Best Onstage Pair with Stark Sands Nominated
Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Nominated [100]
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical Won [101]
Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Musical Show Nominated [100]
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical Won [101]
Tony Awards Best Leading Actor in a Musical Won [102]
2014 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Won [101]
2017 GLAAD Media Awards Vito Russo Award Won [103]
2019 Critics' Choice Awards Best Television Drama Series Actor Pose Nominated [104]
Dorian Awards TV Performance of the Year – Actor Won [105]
TV Musical Performance of the Year "Home" (with Mj Rodriguez and Our Lady J) Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Pose Won [106]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Pose Nominated [107]
Television Critics Association Individual Achievement in Drama Nominated [108]
2020 Critics' Choice Awards Best Television Drama Series Actor Nominated [109]
Dorian Awards TV Performance of the Year – Actor Won [110]
Wilde Wit of the Year Nominated
Wilde Artist of the Decade Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama Pose Nominated [107]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated [111]
Queerties Badass of the Year Won [112]
Black Reel Television Awards Outstanding Actor, Drama Series Pose Nominated [113]
2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS award (with Anthony Fauci, Sandra Thurman and amFAR) Won [114][115]
2022 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama Pose Nominated
Tony Award Best Musical A Strange Loop (producer) Won [116]
2023 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television) The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Nominated [117]
2024 Tony Awards Isabelle Stevenson Award Recognition of his work with Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Entertainment Community Fund. Honored [118]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Billy Porter

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

William Ellis Porter II (born September 21, 1969), professionally known as Billy Porter, is an American actor, singer, director, and playwright. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and raised in a religious household by his single mother, Porter overcame childhood abuse and pursued performing arts education, earning a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama in 1991. His breakthrough came on Broadway with the role of Lola in Kinky Boots (2013), for which he won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, becoming the first openly gay Black man to achieve that honor. Porter further solidified his television prominence as MC Pray Tell in the FX series Pose (2018–2021), earning the 2019 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series—the first such win for an openly gay Black actor in that category. He also received a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the Kinky Boots cast recording in 2014. Porter's career encompasses early Broadway roles in shows like (1991), a self-titled debut album in 1997, and recent stage work including a limited run as the Emcee in (2025), from which he withdrew due to . His public persona features bold fashion statements defying conventional menswear, alongside advocacy for LGBTQ+ visibility, though he has drawn criticism for remarks during Cabaret promotion suggesting Black experiences had "replaced the " in themes of marginalization, which some viewed as equating or minimizing . Porter disclosed in 2021 that he has lived with since 2007, a fact he revealed amid personal challenges including a 2023 diagnosis and filing.

Early life and education

Family and childhood

Billy Porter was born William Ellis Porter II on September 21, 1969, in , , to William E. Porter and Cloerinda Jean Johnson Porter-Ford. He has one sister, Mary Martha E. Ford. Porter was raised primarily by his mother in a working-class household marked by strong religious influences, including attendance at Pentecostal churches where strict adherence to Christian doctrine shaped family life. Growing up in this environment, Porter experienced a rigid Pentecostal upbringing that emphasized moral conformity and viewed deviations, such as , through a lens of ; he has recounted becoming aware of his around age 12, amid the emerging AIDS crisis, which amplified fears of both spiritual damnation and physical peril within his church community. This period coincided with societal stigma framing as retribution for sexual nonconformity, a perspective reinforced in his religious circles. Porter's early interests in emerged through in church settings, where his vocal talents provided an outlet amid familial and peer pressures, including related to his effeminate traits. Community theater and school productions in further exposed him to the arts, helping cultivate resilience against the constraints of his upbringing.

Education and early influences

Porter attended in , , alongside the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPA), where he participated in its School of Drama's musical theater program and studied acting. He graduated from these institutions in 1987. Following high school, Porter pursued formal theater training at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama in , receiving a degree in drama in 1991. His educators at CAPA had recommended the program, recognizing his potential in the . Porter's early artistic inspirations stemmed from exposure to musical theater in , including repeated listening to original cast recordings of Stephen Sondheim's works, which fueled his ambition to perform on stage. He has also cited the influence of productions like in shaping his interest in the genre.

Professional career

Theater and stage work

Porter's early theater career in the 1990s featured ensemble and supporting roles on Broadway, including appearances in Five Guys Named Moe and the revival of Grease in 1994. He joined the cast of Smokey Joe's Cafe as a replacement performer starting in 1995, contributing to the revue's run through 1997 with performances of songs from the Leiber-Stoller catalog. Later in the decade, he took on the role of John in Miss Saigon, portraying the engineer character known for his flamboyant demeanor and survivalist cunning in the Vietnam War-era setting. In the 2000s, Porter shifted toward off-Broadway work, including roles at in productions like Radiant Baby in 2003, while facing challenges in securing leading parts amid as effeminate or stereotypical characters. A notable return to prominence came in 2010 with his portrayal of , the witty AIDS nurse, in Signature Theatre Company's revival of Tony Kushner's : Millennium Approaches, where he also played additional roles like Mr. Lies, highlighting themes of mortality, identity, and the AIDS crisis in 1980s America. Porter achieved his breakthrough in 2013 as Lola/Simon in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, a role depicting a who partners with a struggling shoe factory owner to produce high-heeled boots, emphasizing acceptance of gender nonconformity and personal authenticity through Cyndi Lauper's score and Harvey Fierstein's book. For this performance, which ran at the , he received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical on June 9, 2013, along with Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle honors, marking the first such Tony win for an openly gay actor playing a gay character. The production, nominated for 13 Tonys and winning six including Best Musical, solidified Porter's status as a leading man in musical theater. In 2025, Porter assumed the role of the Emcee in the immersive Broadway revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, debuting on July 22 and delivering a stylized, androgynous interpretation of the master of ceremonies amid the show's Weimar Republic decadence and rising fascism. His limited run, co-starring Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles, concluded prematurely on September 7 after he withdrew due to illness, prompting the production to close a month earlier than scheduled.

Television and film roles

Porter began his television career with guest appearances, including the role of Greg Ellison in the episode "Cry Wolf," which aired on May 19, 2004. He later portrayed vocal coach Jackie Walker, accused of , in the Law & Order: episode "Dissonant Voices" on November 6, 2013, delivering a performance centered on denial and tragedy amid multiple allegations. These early roles established Porter in procedural dramas but did not lead to sustained series work until later projects. His breakthrough came with the FX series Pose (2018–2021), where he starred as Pray Tell, an HIV-positive emcee and in New York City's underground scene during the 1980s and 1990s. The character navigates personal health struggles, community leadership, and cultural defiance against societal marginalization, appearing across all three seasons totaling 26 episodes. For this role, Porter won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Series on September 22, 2019, becoming the first openly man to achieve this in the category's history. Pose highlighted the vibrancy and hardships of culture among and Latino LGBTQ+ communities, with Porter's performance lauded for its emotional depth in conveying HIV's toll and performative resilience, though some observers critiqued the series' reliance on heightened over nuanced realism. In film, Porter's roles have been more sporadic and supporting, reflecting challenges in securing prominent mainstream parts despite his television acclaim. He played Barrett in the comedy Like a Boss (2020), a beauty executive involved in corporate intrigue and a viral "tragic moment" firing scene, in a film that earned a 4.7/10 audience rating amid mixed reviews for its formulaic humor. Additional credits include the Fairy Godmother in the musical adaptation Cinderella (2021) and a voice role as Desmond in The Simpsons episode "Hail to the Teeth" (February 23, 2020). These projects underscore Porter's versatility in ensemble casts but limited box-office or critical breakthroughs in feature films, with no major leading roles yielding widespread commercial success.

Music and recording career

Porter's recording career commenced with the release of his self-titled debut album, Untitled, on August 21, 1997, featuring R&B tracks influenced by his upbringing. The album included singles "Show Me" and "Love Is on the Way," both of which charted on the Hot 100. Commercial performance remained limited, with the project reflecting early efforts in pop and soul genres prior to his theater prominence. Following the 2013 Broadway success of Kinky Boots, the original cast recording earned the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the on January 26, 2014. Porter contributed lead vocals as Lola/Simon, marking his first Grammy win and highlighting his interpretive strengths in musical theater. That year, he issued Billy's Back on Broadway via , produced by , comprising covers of standards such as "" and "." The album underscored his Broadway affinity, blending vocal power with orchestral arrangements. Later releases expanded into interpretive and original material, including Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of Richard Rodgers in 2017, reimagining Rodgers' compositions through gospel-soul lenses, and Black Mona Lisa in 2023, a pop-soul album drawing on personal narratives. The 2024 EP Black Mona Lisa, Vol. 2: The Cookout Sessions followed, alongside 2025 singles "Never Say Never" and "Holy Shuffle (feat. Billy Porter)." In 2019, Porter released the single "Love Yourself," written and produced by D. Smith, tied to his Pose role and emphasizing self-empowerment themes. Beyond recordings, Porter's live performances emphasize soul, gospel, and pop elements rooted in his church background, often in settings distinct from musicals. His 2023 Black Mona Lisa Tour marked his debut major tour, spanning 25 U.S. cities with full-band arrangements of career-spanning material, prioritizing vocal expression over theatrical narrative. Overall, his discography has garnered critical notice for but modest sales and chart impact compared to his accolades.

Fashion and public image

Signature style and red carpet moments

Billy Porter's signature style features hybrid garments that combine tailored menswear silhouettes with voluminous skirt elements, frequently appearing on red carpet events to blend formal suiting with gown-like drama. These choices, often categorized as gender-fluid attire, draw from high-fashion designers and emphasize structured shoulders, lapels, and bows juxtaposed against flowing fabrics. Porter has articulated that such fashion functions as protective "armor" in professional and social contexts. A landmark example occurred at the on February 24, 2019, where Porter debuted a custom black velvet tuxedo gown by , comprising a sharply fitted jacket over a strapless, full-skirted base that evoked both tuxedo formality and extravagance. This ensemble, completed with black and details, marked an early high-profile instance of Porter's preference for subverting traditional menswear expectations on major awards circuits. Porter echoed this hybrid form at the on June 9, 2019, wearing a custom Celestino Couture gown-suit fabricated from upcycled red velvet curtain material originally used in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots. The design incorporated Elizabethan-inspired ruffles and a floor-length beneath a vest-like , reinforcing his pattern of repurposing theatrical elements into wearable statements for theater-centric events. On television awards red carpets, Porter maintained this aesthetic, as seen at the on September 20, 2020, in a custom off-white Ashi Studio suit featuring oversized buttons, a high collar, and elongated proportions that extended menswear into sculptural territory. He has also incorporated designs from into select appearances, such as full looks for events in February 2019, highlighting polished, monochromatic tailoring with subtle twists. These selections underscore Porter's consistent use of to prioritize visual disruption over conventional binary dressing codes in entertainment industry settings.

Cultural impact and reception


Porter's bold fashion statements have been praised for enhancing visibility of Black queer men in mainstream fashion, fostering discussions on inclusivity and challenging rigid gender binaries. Fashion publications have highlighted his role in normalizing gender-fluid attire for men, positioning him as a catalyst for empowering underrepresented voices through style as activism. His 2019 Academy Awards tuxedo gown, for instance, sparked conversations on redefining masculinity, with outlets crediting it for broadening cultural acceptance of diverse expressions. Conservative commentators, however, have criticized Porter's aesthetic as contributing to gender confusion and diminishing traditional male norms, viewing it as exaggerated performance over artistic depth. Backlash intensified with his 2020 Sesame Street appearance in a dress, where detractors argued it inappropriately exposed children to adult-oriented identity politics, linking it to broader concerns about eroding family values. Such views contrast with mainstream acclaim, underscoring polarized reception amid institutional biases favoring progressive narratives in media coverage. Empirically, Porter's outfits have driven acute media surges, as seen with the 2019 Oscars gown generating widespread coverage and engagement across outlets. Yet, evidence of enduring cultural transformation remains confined to niche progressive spheres, given the pre-existing of gender-nonconforming by other people of color, suggesting his influence amplifies rather than originates broader shifts.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Porter has been openly gay since as a teenager in the amid the AIDS crisis. He first met at a dinner party in 2009, dated briefly, separated, and later reunited before becoming engaged in December 2016 and marrying on January 14, 2017, in a private ceremony. The couple attended numerous public events together during their marriage. On July 5, 2023, Porter's representative confirmed their amicable and mutual decision to separate after six years, stating that they would remain "loving friends" while seeking privacy. Porter and Smith did not have children together, and Porter has publicly stated that he does not personally want children. Porter has described strained ties with his biological family following his , attributing early rejection to the religious environment of his upbringing in a Pentecostal household. In contrast, he has emphasized the vital role of his chosen family within queer communities as a primary support system, crediting them with enabling his survival and success: "Without them I would not be here."

Religious background and identity

Porter was raised in a strict Pentecostal household in , , immersed from childhood in church activities including singing from age five. His upbringing emphasized doctrines that condemned as a choice barring divine blessing, leading him to internalize fears of damnation amid the early AIDS epidemic's stigma. He came out as in his youth during this period, encountering initial from family and church circles, though his mother, Cloerinda Jean Johnson Porter-Ford, later reconciled and supported him publicly, as he acknowledged in his 2013 Tony Award acceptance speech for her role as an "accepting Christian mother." She died in February 2024 at age 79. Porter has critiqued organized religion, particularly Pentecostal traditions, for institutional hypocrisy in weaponizing scripture against LGBTQ individuals despite lacking empirical basis for claims of sexuality as volitional, viewing such stances as causal drivers of stigma rather than spiritual truth. He distinguishes religion as man-made from innate spirituality as divine, retaining gospel roots while discarding dogmatic elements, and in September 2024 announced affiliation with Vision Church, a Black Pentecostal congregation founded by gay leaders, attributing its discovery to his mother's posthumous guidance. In recent efforts, Porter has collaborated with faith leaders through the , including 2024 trainings in Southern Black communities to combat HIV-related stigma rooted in religious narratives, emphasizing unconditional acceptance over exclusionary . This reflects his broader reconciliation of Pentecostal heritage with a spiritual framework prioritizing empirical humanity over institutional orthodoxy.

Health issues

HIV diagnosis and management

Billy Porter was diagnosed with HIV in June 2007, at the age of 38, during a personally tumultuous period that also included a February diagnosis of and a March bankruptcy filing. He contracted the virus through sexual transmission shortly after as in his early adulthood, amid a phase of sexual exploration that reflected personal agency but occurred before widespread adoption of preventive measures like (PrEP), which became available in the United States in 2012. Porter maintained silence about his status for 14 years, citing fears of stigma rooted in his Pentecostal upbringing, where HIV was often framed as divine punishment, and broader societal that could derail his career. He disclosed publicly in May 2021 via an essay in , revealing he had informed only essential medical and professional contacts initially, withholding the information even from his mother until 2021. Since , Porter has managed his condition effectively through antiretroviral therapy (), achieving an undetectable viral load, which empirical data confirms prevents sexual transmission (known as , or U=U) and supports long-term health when adhered to consistently. He has described himself as the healthiest he has ever been, attributing this to advances in treatment that have transformed the virus from a near-fatal prognosis in the –1990s to a manageable for those with access to care, though adherence requires daily medication or periodic injections to suppress replication and preserve cell counts. This outcome underscores causal factors in management: timely , consistent suppressing viral loads below detection thresholds (typically <200 copies/mL), and monitoring for comorbidities like his , rather than individual resilience alone. Porter's status influenced his portrayal of the HIV-positive character Pray Tell on the series Pose (2018–2021), providing a therapeutic outlet to process internalized shame without public disclosure at the time, as the role mirrored real-world struggles with the virus during the AIDS crisis. His experience highlights persistent disparities, with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showing diagnosis rates among Black men who have sex with men remaining over seven times higher than among white counterparts as of 2022, driven by factors including denser transmission networks, barriers to testing and PrEP access, and uneven healthcare equity rather than inherent . Porter's case exemplifies successful management amid these challenges but critiques over-reliance on personal narratives, emphasizing systemic improvements in prevention and treatment uptake to address root causes like delayed diagnosis in high-prevalence communities.

Other medical challenges

In February 2007, Porter was diagnosed with , a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by and elevated blood glucose levels leading to potential complications such as and neuropathy. This diagnosis preceded his filing the following month and contributed to what he described as "the worst year of my life," amid broader financial instability from uneven career earnings prior to widespread recognition. Type 2 diabetes management typically involves lifestyle modifications, medications like metformin, and monitoring to mitigate hyperglycemia-induced organ damage, though Porter has not publicly detailed his regimen beyond acknowledging the condition's long-term impact. In early September 2025, Porter suffered a serious case of , defined medically as a dysregulated host response to causing life-threatening , often originating from bacterial sources like or urinary tract infections. The episode required hospitalization and prompted his immediate withdrawal from the lead role in Broadway's Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, resulting in the production's accelerated closure on September 21, 2025, rather than the planned October 19 date, with reported financial losses for the theater company. Physicians expressed confidence in his full recovery, prescribing extended rest to prevent recurrence, as sepsis mortality rates can exceed 20% in severe cases without prompt intervention like antibiotics and supportive care. Pre-existing conditions such as causally elevate sepsis susceptibility through mechanisms including impairing function and promoting bacterial proliferation, independent of immune status from other comorbidities.

Controversies and criticisms

Cabaret promotion statements

In a July 21, 2025, interview on CBS Mornings promoting his role as the Emcee in the Broadway revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Billy Porter stated that "with what's going on in the world right now, Black people have replaced the Jews in this sort of configuration of what we're going through," framing the musical's Weimar-era narrative of rising oppression as now centering Black experiences in a contemporary adaptation. Porter positioned the remark as an artistic update to the 1966 musical's themes of societal decay and targeted persecution, drawing parallels between historical antisemitism and perceived modern anti-Black racism amid global events. The statement drew immediate backlash, with critics accusing Porter of minimizing the Holocaust's specificity and the unique historical targeting of in the original Cabaret storyline, which depicts the Nazi regime's ascent through the lens of a Jewish character's fate. Jewish advocacy groups and theater commentators, including those on platforms like Reddit's r/Broadway and r/Jewish, argued it equated incomparable oppressions, potentially diluting awareness of ongoing amid rising incidents post-October 7, 2023. Some defenders invoked in reinterpreting the setting for diverse casting, including the production's first Black-led ensemble with Porter and as , but such responses were outnumbered by condemnations framing the comment as rhetorically inflammatory. From an empirical standpoint, Porter's claim of a direct "replacement" lacks substantiation, as data on hate crimes show persistent and surging antisemitic incidents—such as a 140% U.S. increase in 2023 per FBI reports—alongside anti-Black violence, without evidence of one supplanting the other in systemic patterns akin to Nazi Germany's targeted of . The overlooks causal distinctions: the Holocaust's industrialized extermination of six million stemmed from racial uniquely codified in , whereas U.S. anti-Black , while rooted in and segregation, has not mirrored that scale or mechanism in the post-Civil . The production, already facing changes and low attendance, closed prematurely on September 21, 2025—earlier than its announced October 19 end—after Porter withdrew due to , compounding the controversy's fallout without resolving interpretive debates.

Broader public statements and backlash

Porter has frequently advocated for LGBTQ rights, emphasizing the need for political engagement at local levels to counter setbacks in protections. In his annual "LGBTQ " addresses, such as the February 2020 edition, he highlighted global violations of rights and domestic increases in hate crimes against individuals, particularly women of color. He has criticized conservative-led policies as discriminatory, including measures on youth, participating in June 2022 public service announcements that mocked politicians and for transphobia while promoting trans-friendly services. Politically, Porter aligned with Democratic efforts, performing "" at the August to underscore protest-era urgency and endorsing Joe Biden's campaign alongside other celebrities. In an October 2020 op-ed, he described intense rage toward the election landscape under President Trump, framing non-voting as complicity in systemic failures affecting marginalized groups and calling for decisive action to prevent a second term. His advocacy extended to stigma reduction through public disclosures and narratives challenging religious shame narratives, as in May 2021 statements linking silence to perpetuated punishment myths in Black communities. These positions drew intra-community backlash, notably in June 2020 when Porter's video condemned homophobia and transphobia within Black protest circles—citing an attack on trans woman Iyanna Dior—as "appalling" neglect, prompting accusations of divisiveness from some Black activists who viewed it as undermining against broader . Progressive media outlets amplified his critiques of conservatives, yet conservative responses often framed such celebrity interventions as emblematic of elite-driven that prioritize subgroup grievances over economic or familial stability, though Porter's specific comments elicited limited direct rebuttals beyond general dismissals of Hollywood partisanship.

Awards and honors

Theater and Emmy achievements

Porter originated the role of Lola/Simon in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots, earning the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical on June 9, 2013, for a performance noted for its vocal power and emotional depth in portraying a factory owner. The musical itself secured the Tony for Best Musical, reflecting broad critical and commercial success with over 2,500 performances during its initial run. Porter also received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for the same role, affirming peer recognition within New York theater circles. The Kinky Boots cast album, featuring Porter's lead vocals, won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the on January 26, 2014, highlighting the production's musical contributions amid competition from established Broadway recordings. In , Porter won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Pray Tell, the emcee of 1980s New York scene events, in the series Pose on September 22, 2019; this marked the first such win for an openly gay Black actor, though mainstream coverage emphasized identity milestones alongside performance critiques focused on the character's HIV-positive vulnerability and cultural authenticity. The win coincided with Pose's season 2 premiere drawing series-high viewership of 1.2 million total viewers and 572,000 in the 18-49 demographic on , 2019, suggesting award recognition amplified audience interest in representation-driven narratives. Industry selection processes for such honors, often involving voter academies with documented underrepresentation of non-traditional performers prior to 2019, have prompted scrutiny over whether empirical metrics like audience metrics or peer-voted craft consistently outweigh representational factors in outcomes.

Other recognitions

Porter earned consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Series for his portrayal of Pray Tell in Pose, receiving nods in 2020 and 2021 after his 2019 victory. He also secured Golden Globe nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - for the same role in 2020 and 2022. In recognition of his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and broader social issues, Porter received the Human Rights Campaign's Visibility at its 2016 Philadelphia Gala and the Impact at the 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Dinner. He was further honored with the Vito Russo from in 2017 for promoting equality through media. In 2024, the committee awarded him the Isabelle Stevenson for his humanitarian efforts, including founding the Billy Porter Fund to support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ programs. Porter received a star on the on December 1, 2022, in the category of live theatre/live performance. He was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential list in 2020, cited for his cultural impact via Pose and public persona.

Works

Discography

Porter's recording career began with the release of his self-titled debut album, Untitled (also known as Billy Porter), on August 21, 1997, via DV8/. The album featured R&B tracks, with singles "Love Is on the Way" and "Show Me" charting on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking his early commercial entries in that genre. His second album, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul, was released on October 25, 2005, by Sh-K-Boom Records, blending Broadway standards with soul influences; it included the track "Time," later performed live in specials. In 2014, Porter issued Billy's Back on Broadway on April 15 via , a collection of musical theater covers produced by , emphasizing his Broadway roots. The 2017 release Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of Richard Rodgers, issued April 7 on Sony Masterworks Broadway, reinterpreted Richard Rodgers compositions in soul and gospel styles, with Porter as producer and featuring guests like Pentatonix, Leslie Odom Jr., and Cynthia Erivo. Porter's fifth studio album, Black Mona Lisa, arrived on October 13, 2023, via Island Records, incorporating personal narratives with R&B and pop elements; it spawned the single "Love Yourself," which topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2019 upon re-release.
AlbumRelease DateLabelSelected Tracks
UntitledAugust 21, 1997/A&M"," "Love Is on the Way," "True Love," "I'll Do Anything"
At the Corner of Broadway + SoulOctober 25, 2005Sh-K-Boom"Time," "King of the World" (from )
Billy's Back on BroadwayApril 15, 2014Concord"But the World Goes 'Round," "," ""
Billy Porter Presents: The Soul of April 7, 2017 Broadway"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" (feat. ), "My Romance" (feat. ), ""
Black Mona LisaOctober 13, 2023Island"Black Mona Lisa," "Baby Was a Dancer"
Porter has contributed to cast recordings, including Kinky Boots (Original Broadway Cast, 2013, Ghostlight Records), where he originated the role of Lola and performed Cyndi Lauper's songs like "Sex Is in the Heel." Additional appearances include tracks on compilations such as "Only One Road" from Love Rocks (1999) and features on soundtracks. His releases have seen limited mainstream chart success beyond niche dance and R&B singles, with no albums reaching the Billboard 200 top 100 based on available sales data.

Filmography

Television

Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
2010–2013The Big CSamRecurring role
2016–2017DJ Malibu2 episodes
2018Behold ChablisGuest role
2018–2021PosePray TellLead role, 23 episodes
2019HimselfHost
2022–The Proud Family: Louder and ProuderUnknownVoice role
2024Pride/PromUnknownTV film

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000TaylorSupporting role
2004NoelRodneySupporting role
2014The HumblingSupporting role
2020MarcoSupporting role
2021Fab G (Fabulous Godmother)Supporting role
2023GuguSupporting role
2023WalterLead role

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  125. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-porter-mn0000091081
  126. https://music.apple.com/us/album/billys-back-on-broadway/1442873003
  127. https://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/billy-porter-presents-soul-richard-rodgers/
  128. https://music.apple.com/us/album/billy-porter-presents-the-soul-of-richard-rodgers/1210202703
  129. https://www.whatsonstage.com/stage-names/billy-porter
  130. https://www.discogs.com/artist/426971-Billy-Porter
  131. https://www.amazon.com/prime-video/actor/Billy-Porter/amzn1.dv.gti.c9185340-dbf0-4f08-af6c-960843709f80/
  132. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692039/
  133. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/88966-billy-porter?language=en-US
  134. https://www.fandango.com/people/billy-porter-540455
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