Billy Porter remains upset about Harry Styles wearing a gown on the Vogue cover, feeling that it appropriates and exploits his community.
TV personality Billy Porter recently shared his thoughts on the highly publicized 2020 issue of Vogue featuring musician Harry Styles modeling a stunning Gucci gown.
Porter, 53, expressed his disappointment with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour’s decision to feature Styles, a straight white man, as the magazine’s first male solo cover model for the December 2020 issue, even though he was cross-dressing at the time.
“It doesn’t sit well with me. You’re using my community — or your people are using my community — to elevate yourself. You haven’t had to make any sacrifices,” Porter expressed during a recent interview with The Telegraph.
The talented star of “Pose” recalled an earlier conversation he had with Wintour before the cover was released. “That b**** asked me, ‘How can we improve?’ And I was caught off guard, so I didn’t say what I should have said,” Porter revealed.
“Use your power as Vogue to amplify the voices of the leaders in the gender-neutral fashion movement,” the actor continued. “Six months later, Harry Styles is on the cover.”
Porter clarified that he isn’t angry with Styles, but rather disappointed with Vogue’s “gatekeepers.”
“It’s not Harry Styles’ fault that he’s white, cute, straight, and fits into the existing structure… I’m calling out the gatekeepers,” Porter emphasized.
This isn’t the first time the “Cinderella” alum has voiced his concerns about the same Vogue cover. In an interview with The Sunday Times in October 2021, he stated, “I feel like the fashion industry has accepted me because they have to. I started the conversation [about nonbinary fashion], and yet Vogue still chose to put Harry Styles, a straight white man, in a dress on their cover for the first time,” Porter expressed.
“I was the pioneer, and now everyone is doing it,” he continued. “I’m not criticizing Harry Styles, but… He doesn’t care, he’s just following the trend. This is political for me. This is my life.”
After facing criticism, Porter further explained his comments during an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
“It’s about the systems of oppression and erasure of people of color who contribute to the culture,” he clarified at the time. “I’m sorry, Harry. I didn’t mean any harm. I’m a gay man. We like Harry. He’s cute.”
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