Just a couple of days ago, Billy Porter broke the internet with the first glimpse of him as a genderless Fairy Godparent in a new version of Cinderella. The star of Pose looks stunning in that fabulous golden-orangey outfit full of bling and style and, beyond the incredible looks, this character is already breaking stereotypes and showing the importance of representation for the LGBTQ+ and black community.
While still enjoying the sweet smell of success and appraisal, Billy Porter decided to open up about living with HIV positive for the last 14 years. Breaking up the silence has been “healing” especially since he’s kept his condition a secret from almost everybody around him including his mom.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, for the May issue, Porter went back to 2007 when his life changed completely.
“By February, I had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. By March, I signed bankruptcy papers. And by June, I was diagnosed HIV-positive.”
Porter commented on how the shame of accepting his diagnosis kept him from being his true self and wanting to keep it a secret not only to avoid explaining himself but also to be given a fair shot in an industry that can be extremely judgemental.
Although he has been going on and off to therapy most of his life, it wasn’t until the current crisis of COVID-19 when he decided to give trauma therapy a chance and finally deal with all those demons in his life. Porter also opened up about being abused by his stepfather during his childhood and all the pain he’s carried over the years ever since.
When the pandemic started, Billy Porter’s only thought was to protect himself due to his preexisting condition. Together with his husband Adam Smith, Porter secluded himself in a house on Long Island. The situation prompted him to reflect on his life, realizing that trauma had been a constant partner that he needed to say goodbye to.
Today he’s on a healing process and a forgiving path, but most importantly, he’s opening a conversation most people don’t want to have. “I survived so that I could tell the story.” With that in mind, he’s determined to honor those lost on the way and speak up for those who are still walking by it.
With a new mindset, and having been undetectable for the past years, Billy Porter is ready to take the industry by storm. The actor will start with this new fabulous version of Cinderella with Camilla Cabello in the lead. There’s also a new documentary on its way, based on his life and produced by the one and only Ryan Murphy. Besides that, Billy Porter is also working on his directorial debut besides new music. It seems 2021 is already being a great year for this icon!
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