Tag: Billy Porter

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Billy Porter Covers Palm Springs Life Magazine

Billy Porter covers Palm Springs Life Magazine (photo: Aaron Feaver)
In a new interview for Palm Springs Life Magazine, Emmy Award winner Billy Porter (Pose) spills the tea on how he’s traversing the terrain of his ever-increasing celebrity. Speaking to writer Jeremy Kinser, Porter covers a wide range of topics from EGOT possibilities (“Where’s my James Bond theme? That will get me my EGOT!”) to upcoming film roles in Sony’s musical adaptation of Cinderella (“I will be playing my fabulous self”) and the female empowerment comedy starring Tiffany Haddish and Selma Hayek, Like a Boss(“Praise the Lord, I got a really good part!”) and more.

Porter credits his theater background (Tony Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ in Kinky Boots, thank you very much) for prepping him with the stamina to keep up with the current onslaught of opportunities “Doing eight shows a week in the theater in high heels breeds thoroughbreds,” Porter tells Kinser. “I’ve been able to apply the same skillset that goes into doing eight shows a week into this moment where I really need to be present. I need to show up for everything because I’ve worked 30 years to get here. I’ve got to show up, I’ve got to be ready, and I am!” After working in Broadway productions like Five Guys Named Moe and Miss Saigon, it was during his tenure in the 1994 revival of Grease (where he served up a show-stopping “Beauty School Dropout”) that he was kissed by the visceral, gut-wrenching genius of the AIDS-era drama, Angels in America.                                                                                    “I thought, how do I go from playing the teen angel with 14 inches of orange rubber hair on my head, prancing around like Little Richard on crack, to that?” says Porter. “That play was the turning point for me in choosing a different direction in my life and ending up where I am sitting in front of you today. This is the life I wanted for myself. I’m doing it on my terms, and it was Angels in America that launched that journey for me.”

 

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Look out for #BillyPorter on the cover of the brand new December issue of @palmspringslifemagazine ⁠🎉 ⁠ .⁠ The award-winning American Broadway performer, singer, and actor, @theebillyporter is in hot demand, following a recent Emmy win from his powerful performance as Pray Tell in FX’s ‘Pose’.⁠ ⁠.⁠ Read “Thoroughly Modern Billy”, and never miss a #palmspringslife moment by following the #linkinbio 🌵✨⁠ ⁠.⁠ Words by @jeremykinser.period Photographs by @feaverish ⁠ Styling by @neilcohenstyle⁠ ⁠Hair & Grooming by @jamalhammadi⁠ .⁠ Pucci vintage caftan from @mitchellspalmsprings, @amanitomi jewelry, and Ooh-la-la de Paris from @p.s.sunglasses⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #palmspringslife #pslmagazine #visitcalifornia #visitgps #visitpalmsprings #palmsprings #lgbtq #fashionista #style #fashionlover #celebritystyle #pslfashion #explorepalmsprings #palmspringsgetaway #discoverpalmsprings #palmspringsweekend #fashionstory #fashionstyle #fashionshoot #magazinecover #psltheguide #musthave #billyporter #AMAs #posefx #fashionmagazine #fashionissue

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Inspiration can become a driving force. A force so undeniable it’s no surprise Porter would find himself cast in the critically-acclaimed 2010 off-Broadway revival of Angels, in the very role that sparked so deeply inside him. In hindsight, Porter’s journey from Angels in America to the ground-breaking FX series Pose makes total sense. The straight-talking ‘Belize’ in Angels could have easily been a cousin to the no-holds-barred ‘Pray Tell’ of Pose. Steven Canals, co-creator of the hit FX series, says he believes Porter’s irrefutable authenticity on the show is responsible, in part, for the broad appeal of the show which includes a sizeable straight, white female audience. “I think ‘Pray Tell’ is one of the characters on the show that you wish you knew in real life,” he shares. “Many folks who watch the show have probably known some version of that character. I think a lot of our viewers, regardless of their identity, are seeing their own history, their own experience on the screen.” Canals adds that on set, Porter is something of a role model to the cast in regard to navigating “this crazy business with class and with grace, and patience.” Amid all this success, it’s not hard to imagine the stresses of balancing fame and travel alongside domestic life with husband Adam Smith. Initially, Porter demurs: “Let’s move past that question.” But after a pause, Porter shares: “We’re finding the balance. It’s been a rocket ship liftoff, and it leaves the subject and the people around the subject wherever they’re at. It’s a lot. I’m in a space of trying to figure out how to balance it.”

 

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The category is – #LOVE! ❤️❤️⁠ .⁠ @theebillyporter took time out from his frantic schedule to exhale poolside for a #palmspringslife fashion shoot and interview. ⁠ .⁠ Reminiscing about his first time coming to Palm Springs, he says, “These mountains are so serene and stunningly beautiful … The air is so relaxing. It’s just lovely!”⁠.⁠ ⁠.⁠ Watch Billy Porter strike a #palmsprings pose on our youtube channel by following the #linkinbio⁠ .⁠ @tomford evening jacket, turtleneck, and trouser, @fleurdpins leather lapel flower, @ruthie_davis pumps, @amanitomi jewelry, vintage #TedLapidus sunglasses, from @mitchellspalmsprings and vintage pearls. ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #palmspringslife #pslmagazine #visitcalifornia #visitgps #visitpalmsprings #palmsprings #lgbtq #fashionista #style #fashionlover #celebritystyle #pslfashion #explorepalmsprings #pose #posefx #palmspringsgetaway #discoverpalmsprings #palmspringsweekend #fashionstory #fashionstyle #fashionshoot #magazinecover #psltheguide #musthave #billyporter #fashionmagazine #fashionissue⁠

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Porter also spills the tea on some new film projects looming on the horizon. The actor and Canals are in the process of trying to secure the rights to the life story of R&B recording artist Donny Hathway (“This Christmas,” “A Song For You”), who struggled with mental health issues before falling to his death from the 15th floor of New York City’s Essex Hotel. A second project, currently in early development, is a big-screen biopic of iconic gay author James Baldwin, who Porter quoted while accepting this year’s ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series’ Emmy Award. “Those are the people I should be playing,” Porter tells Palm Springs Life. “I’m so thrilled that I’m at the position now where people want me to play those people.” We smell an EGOT in someone’s future 🙂 It’s a great read accompanied by a – no surprise – gorgeous photoshoot by Aaron Feaver. Click over to Palm Springs Life for the full cover story by Jeremy Kinser.
Billy Porter covers Palm Springs Life Magazine (photo: Aaron Feaver)

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News Round-Up: November 1, 2019

Tyler Valenzia (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Mixing it up today with fitness guy Tyler Valenzia (above). I realized I practically never feature clean-shaven blond guys. Tyler’s ready for a lazy weekend, and I def don’t hate that. #ProblemSolved • Advocate: On a technicality, the Kentucky Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit brought against a shop that refused to print T-shirts for Lexington’s 2012 Pride Festival. The court didn’t rule on LGBTQ rights or not, but dismissed the case because the party that brought the claim, the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization, lacked standing because it was not the party denied service by the business. • KIT212: Kenneth has the latest on what’s making news in this week’s gay magazine. • BBC: An Indonesian man who worked for an organization that helped draft strict laws making adultery & gay sex punishable by public whipping has been caned after being caught having an affair with a married woman. #karma • Playbill: Tony and Emmy winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots, Pose) and Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked) will perform during the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Also joining the festivities (9 AM ET on NBC on Thanksgiving Day) is Broadway alum and Glee star Lea Michele. • Politico: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) has begun closing campaign offices in New Hampshire due to a shortage of funds. The campaign announced the decision was made to go ‘all-in’ in Iowa for the first-in-the-country contest. • New Music: Gryffin & Slander dropped their EDM single, “All You Need To Know” featuring the vocals of Swedish singer/songwriter Calle Lehmann, back in March. The track comes from Gryffin’s full-length debut album, Gravity. I liked it back then, but today they share this acoustic take on the track which reveals a much deeper emotional core to the song. Regular readers of The Randy Report know how I love artists reinventing, and thereby discovering more of, their own art. I like this.

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News Round-Up: October 14, 2019

Michael and I getting our Pride on at Las Vegas Pride this year
Some news items you might have missed: • Pride: We do LGBTQ Pride later in the year here in Las Vegas because June, the traditional month for Pride, is swelteringly hot. That’s Michael and I (above) briefly striking a pose. Check out more from Las Vegas Pride 2019 at the bottom of this post via Instagram. • Boy Culture: Scotty Bowers, the purported pimp and hustler to a slew of Golden Age of Hollywood stars, praised by some for his frankness and bashed by others as a fabulist, died Sunday at 96. • Politico: Sen. Elizabeth Warren is increasing pressure on Facebook to police false political ads on the social media platform. Her campaign made an ad with false claims and it was quickly approved.

• Unilad: This gay couple from Argentina adopted a baby living with HIV that was rejected by ten other families. • Instagram: Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Holland (currently starring together in Spiderman: Far From Home) almost broke the internet when jokingly posting, “Forget the Biebers… We’re getting married.”

• Deadline: Billy Porter on trying to break into Hollywood, “We must speak life into ourselves, even when everyone around us is doing the opposite. I never saw anything that looked like me, and visibility – when we see ourselves reflected back – is so important.” And now, more shiny, happy people (including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Chasten Buttigieg) at this year’s Pride celebration here in Las Vegas:

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SNL Cold Open Tweaks LGBTQ Town Hall

Billy Porter on SNL (screen captures)
Saturday Night Live’s cold open could not resist putting its twist on this week’s LGBTQ Town Hall. Alex Moffat’s Anderson Cooper opened the sketch informing the audience that the town hall would address those issues important to “LGBTQ people and straight girls who make Pride about them.” Newly-minted Emmy Award-winner Billy Porter comes out (playing himself) to introduce the ‘presidential candidates.’ Beginning with Chris Redd’s Cory Booker, Porter said, “He may live in the projects, but ladies, he ain’t no project.”
Chris Redd as Sen. Cory Booker
When Booker is asked about some questionable writing he did about gays in the early 90s: “I don’t want you to think I’m dodging the question, so I’m going to go now.” Porter intros Colin Jost’s Mayor Pete Buttigieg: “Representing House of Booty Gig, it’s Mayor Pete.”
Colin Jost as Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Asked how he’d respond to folks who say he’s not gay in the right way: “There’s no wrong way to be gay – unless you’re Ellen (DeGeneres) this week.” Buttigieg also wondered aloud why he’s not doing better in the polls: “Why am I not winning this? I’m a veteran, I’m under the legal retirement age, and when I talk, it makes sense. Is something wrong with me?” Says Cooper: “You’re a great guy, just, as a friend. Not for president.” Next up, Porter brings the audience to attention saying, “Warning. Warning. The sentencer is here. She’s got a plan for the future. It’s Elizabeth Warren.”
Kate McKinnon as Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Kate McKinnon delivers a spot on Warren on her entrance: “I am so excited to be here. I had some apple slices backstage and they are hitting me like cocaine. You all know I’m not a lesbian but all the ingredients are there.” Obviously, SNL had to touch on the big viral moment of the Town Hall when Warren was asked how she would respond to a ‘traditional marriage’ supporter on the campaign trail who may underscore that they believe marriage is between one man and one woman? McKinnon’s Warren riffs: “I would say, ‘Sir, tell me your bus stop because I want to know where you get off.’ What else, what else? If someone doesn’t want to serve gay people at their small business? I bet that’s not the only thing that’s small. And when people say gay and trans shouldn’t be included in civil rights protections, well…I wish their parents had used protection.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Secretary Julian Castro
Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a turn as “the House of Urban Deliciousness,” Julian Castro: “As a Democrat. I want to apologize for not being gay. But I promise to do better in the future.” He adds, “However, I am Latino, which we can all agree is something. I’m young, I’m diverse, I’m LatinObama. So let’s get that hashtag going.”
Woody Harrelson as Vice President Joe Biden
Special guest Woody Harrelson offers his take on former Vice President Joe Biden, as Porter intros, “the Delaware daddy whose only vice is the Choo Choo train.” Biden drops bon mots along the likes of “The vast majority of people in America are not homophobic – they’re just scared of gay people. You know me – I went to bat for marriage equality and I believe we’re all equal whether you’re gay, lesbie, transgenital or queer.” Check out the full segment below.

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News Round-Up: September 26, 2019

Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Fitness guy Bremen Menelli (above) took a walk in the park. A very, very wet park… 🙂 • Instinct: Openly gay sports radio host Seth Dunlap has filed a discrimination lawsuit against his station WWL after the Twitter account for the station called him a “fag.” In the 15 days since the posting of the tweet, the station has reportedly not apologized to Dunlap nor has the employee who wrote the tweet been identified. WWL Radio is alleging that Dunlap sent the homophobic tweet himself in an attempt to extort $1.8 million from the station. • NY Daily News: A gay couple eating at a Queen restaurant say they were viciously attacked by a group of homophobic guests, and neither the restaurant employees nor the security guard moved to intervene. “We asked one of the security guys to do something about it but he said that the best we could do is to finish eating and leave.” • NFL.com: Pepsi, the NFL and Roc Nation has announced artists Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will perform for the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV halftime show on February 2, 2020 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Past headliners have included Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Madonna.

• The Atlantic: “It is impossible that the whistle-blower is a hero and I’m not. And I will be the hero! These morons—when this is over, I will be the hero.” – Rudy Giuliani • The Advocate: Dallas police Tuesday have arrested Domingo Ramirez-Cavente, 29, in connection with the shooting of a transgender woman, Rony Calderon, over the weekend. An arrest affidavit says that when police brought in Ramirez-Cavente, he admitted in an interview to shooting the victim. He has been charged with aggravated assault. • Variety: Newly-minted Emmy Award winner Billy Porter will add another accomplishment to his resume as it has been announced he will direct an episode of POSE for the upcoming Season 3 of the groundbreaking series. • Out Music: Synth-rock duo Dream Machines recently released this live performance of their latest single, “Sarajevo.” “Sarajevo” juxtaposes a catchy, upbeat synth groove with a political message about history’s tangential blindness to nationalism. The bass pounds like a juggernaut while lead singer Harry May-Kline’s vocals ask the listener, “are we over the line” in our fear of American zealotry.

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Podcast: Billy Porter At The Emmys, Mayor Pete’s ‘Grumpy’ Moment, Queer Eye Star’s New Memoir

Billy Porter wins at the Emmy Awards, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had a 'grumpy' moment with the LGBT media In this week’s podcast: • Billy Porter makes history at the Emmy Awards • Arizona’s Supreme Court rules it’s fine for businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people • Democratic White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg got grumpy with the LGBTQ media • A conservative lawmaker (who opposed LGBTQ rights because Jesus) charged with possessing child pornography • Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness comes out as HIV positive All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

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News Round-Up: September 23, 2019

Tom Welling will resprise his role as Clark Kent in upcoming 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' crossover on 4 Arrowverse series Some news items you might have missed: • Deadline: Hunky Tom Welling (above – image via FB) will reprise his Smallville role of Clark Kent for the upcoming mega-crossover ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ on The CW. Two more former Supermen, Tyler Hoechlin and Brandon Routh, will also take part in the 5-part story arc which will unite the entire Arrowverse series franchise – Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman. • The Advocate: A federal judge has ruled that an anti-LGBTQ church, D. James Kennedy Ministries based in Florida, can be labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a matter of free speech. SPLC lists the church as a hate group “because it maligns the entire LGBT community, portraying it as perverted and a threat to the nation.” • Twitter: Two of my favorite tweets today come from Democratic White House hopeful Joe Biden. In the first, he congratulates Billy Porter on his historic win last night at the Emmy Awards. In the second, Joe gets his message across in a single sentence.

• Bloomberg Business: At $28 billion so far, the farm rescue is more than twice as expensive as the 2009 bailout of Detroit’s Big Three automakers, which cost taxpayers $12 billion. Plus, an August survey by Purdue University and the CME Group, 58% said farmers anticipate another round of trade aid next year. • Billboard: Streaming music continues to grow in popularity. According to Nielsen Music, there have been 505.5 billion on-demand audio streams in 2019 so far. That’s up 23% compared to the same time a year ago: 409.6 billion year-to-date through the week ending Sept. 13, 2018. • Capitol Weekly: Tracking poll in California shows Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) leading the current pack of Democrats in the Golden State with 29% support; Sen. Bernie Sanders is at 21% support and former Vice President Joe Biden lands in 3rd with 18% support.

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No, Billy Porter Did Not Give RuPaul ‘Side-Eye’ At Emmys

Billy Porter slams reports that he gave RuPaul side-eye during Emmy Awards

Billy Porter slams reports that he gave RuPaul side-eye during Emmy Awards Folks love to stir up stuff even when there’s nothing there. Speaking to reporters backstage at the Emmy Awards last night after his historic win as ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series,’ Billy Porter was asked about some Twitter activity that imagined him giving some side-eye during RuPaul’s acceptance speech for winning the trophy for ‘Outstanding Reality-Competition Series.’ This was the screen capture folks were bouncing around the Twitterverse:

But when a reporter from Essence brought up the minutes-new meme, Billy shut that down and quick. “Let me make this clear right now in this room to everybody. Right now. There was never a side-eye coming from me. There’s never anything negative coming from me. You’re never going to get from it. Okay. It’s all love, all love, it’s all positivity. Don’t come to me with that mess. They can catch me and it can look like a side-eye, [but] RuPaul is a friend of mine. I am so proud of him. I stand on his shoulders. I stand on his shoulders. He is doing it. He paved the way for me, so there’s never a side-eye about that.”

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Billy Porter Makes History Winning ‘Best Lead Actor/Drama’ At Emmy Awards

Billy Porter wins the Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Drama for 'POSE;

Billy Porter wins the Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Drama for 'POSE; “And the category is: Love!” Making history tonight, Billy Porter won the Emmy Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work as ‘Pray Tell’ in the ground-breaking FX series POSE at the 2019 Emmy Awards. Quoting James Baldwin, he began his thank yous, “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here. I have the right – You have the right – We ALL have the right!” He then acknowledged the men nominated in his category which included Bob Odenkirk, Jason Bateman, Kit Harington, Milo Ventimiglia, and Sterling K. Brown: “It is an honor to be up here breathing the same air that y’all breathe.” After thanking his cast members and his team, he turned to the co-creator of the show: “Ryan Murphy! Ryan Murphy! Ryan Murphy! You saw me and believed in us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Porter closed his thanks saying, “We as the artists are the people that can change the molecular structure of the hearts and minds of the people who live on this planet. Please don’t ever stop doing that. Please don’t ever stop telling the truth!” POSE, also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, made its mark from the get-go with the largest transgender cast in the history of television. Having won a Tony Award for his performance as ‘Lola’ in the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, and a Grammy Award for the show’s original cast recording, tonight’s honor moves Porter just an Oscar shy of an EGOT. Watch his joyful acceptance speech below.

Afterward, Porter became emotional backstage when asked how his win can empower the LGBTQ community. “Visibility and representation are the only things that create change,” he told reporters. “It’s when we are visible that we have the power to create empathy through the way we tell stories. I know that being black and gay and out and being in this position and speaking in the position that I get to speak from is the change. I hope that young, queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.”

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Billy Porter Makes An Entrance (Or Three) On ‘The Late Late Show’

Billy Porter sings 'I Will Survive' on The Late Late Show with James Corden

Billy Porter makes an entrance on The Late Late Show with James Corden To say that Emmy Award nominee Billy Porter ‘dropped by’ The Late Late Show with James Corden on Wednesday could be one of the great understatements of the week. After his fellow guest, Kirsten Dunst, entered through the show’s curtains looking lovely as ever and took a seat on the interview couch, Corden introduced the POSE star. Enter Hurricane Billy. Adorned in a gold lamé cape (which became wings a la his Met gala fashion statement), Porter made his way down the stairs towards the stage only to u-turn and head back behind the curtains. Sporting a new rainbow robe and a bouquet of roses, Porter re-emerged to make his way through the audience again. And he’s not done yet! Dropping the robe to reveal a purple, glitter jumpsuit, Porter runs to the band to shake a tambourine like a pro. He’s then carried on a platform, in Cleopatra-style, to the stage by two shirtless muscle hunks. The crowd goes wild, but Corden – feigning outrage that time has been taken from Ms. Dunst – dismisses Porter from the stage. “Fine, James, fine!” says Porter as he exits. But wait – there’s more! Billy Porter sings 'I Will Survive' on The Late Late Show with James Corden As Corden attempts to interview Dunst, music swirls, curtains open and Porter launches into a spectacular disco-tastic performance of Gloria Gaynor’s iconic “I Will Survive” complete with hunky dancers and roller-skaters. Watch Billy Porter’s lesson in how to make an entrance below.

In a later segment, Porter is back on the couch as Corden asks the Tony Award winner about turning 50 this Saturday, just a day before he could make history as the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama.’ “I feel great,” says Porter. “I have to say, everything that people say about getting older, that it gets better – is the truth.” “I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been, I’m experiencing a type of success that I didn’t even know how to dream of,” he added. “It’s really, really remarkable.” “And – the best part about it is – once you get to a certain age you have zero f*cks to give about anything or anybody! Period.” “It’s the greatest feeling in the world – the shackles are off,” he declared. “Say what you want – I’m gonna do me, and I’m gonna do it ’til I’m dead!”

Make sure to tune in to the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night, September 22, at 8 pm ET on Fox.