Continue to Hollywoodlife () SKIP AD
Hollywood Life Logo Image

Hollywood Life

Today's Top Stories

  • Lourdes Leon
    See Message

    Madonna's Daughter Lourdes Claps Back At Trolls Commenting On Her 'Thirst Trap Pic'

  • iggy
    See Pic

    Iggy Azalea Channels 'I Dream Of Jeannie' With Purple Crop Top & Matching Skirt

  • best silk nightgowns
    SHOP

    6 Silk Nightgowns Under $30 That Are Perfect For Valentine’s Day

Hollywood Life
  • Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Celebrity Bios
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Shopping
  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
ALL NEWS
  • Rihanna, A$AP Rocky

    Rihanna Wants A$AP Rocky To Be Her ‘Final Boyfriend’: Their Romance Is ‘Amazing Right Now’

  • Justin Bieber Reflects On Being Arrested 7 Years Ago In Miami: ‘Not My Finest Hour’

  • Iggy Azalea Channels ‘I Dream Of Jeannie’ With Purple Crop Top & Matching Skirt — See Pic

  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • TV
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Holidays
  • Entertainment Features
  • Podcast
  • Oscar Contenders
ALL ENTERTAINMENT
  • Eminem

    Eminem Trains Intensively For Wrestling Match In ‘Higher’ Video As He Claps Back At ‘Haters’ — Watch

  • ‘Salt-N-Pepa’ Duo Reveal The Part Of The Lifetime Biopic They Were ‘Nervous’ About

  • ‘Moesha’ Cast Then & Now: See How Brandy & More Have Changed 25 Years Later

  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Selena Gomez
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Khloe Kardashian
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Harry Styles
  • Kourtney Kardashian
ALL CELEBRITY BIOS
  • salma hayek

    18 Stars Looking Super Sexy In Plunging Dresses: Salma Hayek, Kim Kardashian & More

  • 9 Celebs Slaying In Leather Short Shorts: Larsa Pippen, Halle Berry & More

  • Rihanna Wants A$AP Rocky To Be Her ‘Final Boyfriend’: Their Romance Is ‘Amazing Right Now’

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Beauty Features
  • Skincare
  • Makeover
  • Diet & Fitness
ALL BEAUTY
  • kylie jenner

    11 Stars Who’ve Rocked Bold Neon Hair: Kylie Jenner, Nicki Minaj & More

  • 6 Anti-Aging & Sun Protecting Face Moisturizers You Need For The New Year

  • Over 12,000 People Swear By This $22 Natural Eye Cream That Removes Dark Circles & Bags

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping
ALL FASHION
  • salma hayek

    18 Stars Looking Super Sexy In Plunging Dresses: Salma Hayek, Kim Kardashian & More

  • 9 Celebs Slaying In Leather Short Shorts: Larsa Pippen, Halle Berry & More

  • Olivia Jade, Kendall Jenner & More Stars Under 30 Looking Gorgeous In Bikinis

  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Next Up

Cardi B’s Manicurist Reveals How She Created The Rapper’s Blinged Out Look For New Pepsi Campaign

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
  • Search Close

Trending

  • Bonnie Says
  • Celeb Babies
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
Search

NewsExpand Menu

  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
  • Rock The Vote

EntertainmentExpand Menu

  • Entertainment Features
  • TV
  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Podcast
  • At Home With...

BeautyExpand Menu

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Skincare
  • Beauty Features
  • Diet & Fitness
  • Shopping

FashionExpand Menu

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping

TrendingExpand Menu

  • Bonnie Says
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries

About UsExpand Menu

  • About Us
  • Writer Bios
  • Scoops, Tips & Corrections
  • Subscribe To Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Celebrity ProfilesExpand Menu

  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Selena Gomez
  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
Alerts & Newsletters
  • Jobs
  • Scoops & Corrections
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • AdChoices
  • Data Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
© 2021 Penske Media Corporation
  • Entertainment
  • TV
Exclusive Interview
December 3, 2019 6:56PM EST

‘Pose’ Star Billy Porter Reveals Why He Thinks Hollywood Is Being Trans Inclusive: It’s Making Money

Billy Porter
73rd Annual Tony Awards, Arrivals, Radio City Music Hall, New York, USA - 09 Jun 2019
Wearing Celestino, Custom
Billy Porter
91st Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 24 Feb 2019
Wearing Christian Siriano, Custom
Billy Porter attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" exhibition, in New York
Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Camp: Notes on Fashion, Arrivals, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA - 06 May 2019
Billy Porter
A Place at the Table: The Ali Forney Center's Annual Fall Gala, Arrivals, Cipriani Wall Street, New York, USA - 25 Oct 2019
Wearing Thom Browne View Gallery View Gallery 8 Photos.
Marissa Charles
News Director / Senior Editor
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk

FX’s hit drama series ‘Pose’ is bursting with a cast of talented trans women of color. Billy Porter reveals what he thinks it will take for Hollywood to ‘stay on the bandwagon.’

Ask Billy Porter what he thinks about Hollywood finally being more inclusive when it comes to portraying trans women of color and the actor will give you a very blunt response. The 50-year-old’s view can be condensed into one word – money. Billy shared his thoughts with HollywoodLife on Dec. 2 while promoting his involvement with PayPal’s Giving Tuesday initiative. “I think the bottom line with Hollywood in everything is commerce,” he told us EXCLUSIVELY. “If it’s gonna make money, it’s gonna be fine.” He added, “All of these things [trans talent and gender fluid people of color], are making money right now. So, yeah, Hollywood’s on the bandwagon. I hope we continue to make money ‘cause they’ll stay on the bandwagon.”

Billy is one of the breakout stars of FX’s hit drama series, Pose, which focuses on New York’s ballroom culture. The show, which premiered in 2018, has won critical acclaim and an army of fans as it shines a light on the black and Latinx LGBTQ community in the 1980s and ‘90s. The elegant ballroom competitions and performances inspired Madonna’s hit song “Vogue,” which brought the underground dance to international attention. And, as the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning illustrated, some of the things that are mainstream and normal today – like the term “throwing shade” – have their roots in ballroom culture.

But, as Season 2 of Pose so eloquently demonstrates, once “Vogue” dropped out of the charts, the cameras and the spotlight turned away. In 2018, however, the show’s creator Ryan Murphy insisted on hiring real trans talent of color both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. In addition to Billy (who plays ballroom MC Pray Tell) the cast includes trans artists Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson and Indya Moore. Behind the scenes high profile trans activist Janet Mock has directed, written and produced multiple episodes.

Billy Porter, Dominique Jackson, Mj Rodriguez, Indya Moore
Billy Porter with his ‘Pose’ co-stars Dominique Jackson, Mj Rodriguez and Indya Moore. (REX/Shutterstock)
Hailie Sahar, Billy Porter, Mj Rodriguez, Ryan Jamaal Swain
Billy Porter (second from the left) sings with co-stars Hailie Sahar, Mj Rodriguez and Ryan Jamaal Swain in an episode of ‘Pose.’ (FX)

In real life, Billy’s refusal to stick to gender norms when it comes to working the red carpet has been a hit with fans. The actor – who wore a custom-made tuxedo dress to the 2019 Academy Awards in February – admitted that people approach him “all the time” about inspiring them. “Whether it’s on the street. Whether it’s online. People have been very moved and changed by it,” said the performer who became the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in September for Pose. “I’m just kind of being myself and doing what I want to do finally, because that’s what happens when you’re 50. You have zero Fs to give to anybody and anything. So you do what you want.”

He added, “What a gift it is to have lived long enough to see this day, to be in this position where, I really can do what I want and I don’t care. It’s not about what anybody thinks about me. Anybody’s opinion of me is not my business. It’s freeing.”

Click to Subscribe to Our HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get more celeb news.
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Sensitive

More Related News:

  • Billy Porter Embodies Cleopatra & Is Carried Into Met Gala By Shirtless Broadway Studs: Epic Pics
  • 'Pose's Hailie Sahar: Lulu Is A 'Lioness' & 'You Should Always Watch Her'
  • 'Pose' Season 1 -- Photos

Most Read

Tiffany Trump’s Fiancé Michael Boulos Is Heir To Billion Dollar Nigeria-Based Fortune – His Dad Speaks Out

Tiffany Trump, Michael Boulos

Cardi B Reveals Lingerie In See-Through Red Dress On Shopping Date With Offset — See Pic

cardi

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, 14, Rocks Daisy Dukes & Is Now As Tall As Mom Angelina — See New Pics

shiloh

Kylie Jenner & BFF Stassie Karanikolaou Look Like Twins As They Pose In Swimsuits With Ultra Long Hair

Stassie Karanikolaou and Kylie Jenner

Over 12,000 People Swear By This $22 Natural Eye Cream That Removes Dark Circles & Bags

eye cream

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

More From Our Brands

  • These Valentine's Day Decorations on Amazon Stole Our Hearts
    SheKnows

    These Valentine's Day Decorations on Amazon Stole Our Hearts

  • Go Bold Or Go Home—These Zodiac Signs Are The Most Confident
    StyleCaster

    Go Bold Or Go Home—These Zodiac Signs Are The Most Confident

  • Worst Cooks in America Season Pulled After Winner's Arrest for Child Murder
    TVLine

    Worst Cooks in America Season Pulled After Winner's Arrest for Child Murder

  • See Flaming Lips Stage ‘Space Bubble’ Concert in Oklahoma City
    Rolling Stone

    See Flaming Lips Stage ‘Space Bubble’ Concert in Oklahoma City

  • Ashley Graham Serves Up Chic Off-Duty Style In Cozy Knitwear, Cargo Pants & Buzzy Air Jordans
    FootwearNews

    Ashley Graham Serves Up Chic Off-Duty Style In Cozy Knitwear, Cargo Pants & Buzzy Air Jordans

    HollywoodLife

    • About Us
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise With Us
    • Careers
    • Scoops & Corrections
    • Contact Us

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Rights
    • AdChoices
    • EU Privacy Preferences
    • Terms of Use
    • Data Policy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    News

    • Celebrity News
    • World News
    • Exclusives
    • Celebrity Babies

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
SheKnows Media - Entertainment
© Copyright 2021 HollywoodLife, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
ad