Who can forget Harry Styles' historic Vogue cover released at the end of 2020? Well...Billy Porter certainly hasn't.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Billy Porter spoke up against Vogue for choosing a "straight white man" wearing a dress for the cover of the magazine in December 2020. The actor condemned that choice, stating that the opportunities for him as a Black gay men were grim compared to cis straight white men.
"I feel like the fashion industry has accepted me because they have to," Porter said.
Indeed, success came late for the actor. During the interview, Porter shared that after his Broadway debut at the beginning of the '90s, he had to declare bankruptcy by 2007.
Thanks to the hit series Pose, however, his world turned upside down for the better and he was able to win a prestigious Emmy Award. At every red carpet, Porter always challenged society's conventions around gender, wearing skirts and dresses....
"I was the first one doing it and now everyone is doing it. I created the conversation and yet Vogue still puts Harry Styles, a straight white man, in a dress on their cover for the first time."
.... But that choice was not only made for fashion purposes: it was to make a statement. And a political one.
"I had to fight my entire life to get to the place where I could wear a dress to the Oscars. All he has to do is be white and straight."
The actor, however, wanted to clarify that he had no intention whatsoever to judge Styles for his decision of participating to the Vogue shoot.
"I'm not dragging Harry Styles, but... He doesn't care, he's just doing it because it's the thing to do. This is politics for me. This is my life."
At the time of the interview, Styles had shared his love for wearing clothes that made him feel comfortable and free.
"I think if you get something that you feel amazing in, it's like a superhero outfit. Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with."
The singer is currently on his Love On Tour for his second studio album "Fine Line" and hans't yet replied to Porter's comments. The Emmy winning actor is busy as well with the launch of his memoir "Unprotected," (which comes out October 19th) and the release of the new single "Children."
