Billy Porter made an unforgettable entrance to the Met Gala in 2019, carried in on a cushioned platform held up by strapping topless men in gold pants, while Billy himself donned an Egyptian-inspired ensemble that had him dripping in gold and silver. It was the perfect embodiment of that year’s theme, “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” So it’s not surprising that after making such a triumphant Met Gala debut, Billy has been invited ba– wait, WHAT?? Billy “watch me wear a tuxedo ballgown to the Oscars” Porter hasn’t been invited back to the Met Gala since his one and only time attending in 2019?!! It’s shameful, but true. Billy spilled a few drops of tea on the subject to Bevy Smith while on her Bevelations show last week. Turns out Pose executive producer Ryan Murphy was the one who invited Billy back in 2019, not Anna Wintour. As for why she hasn’t invited Billy back after he completely nailed the assignment… Anna, you have some ‘splaining to do!
Billy Porter won’t be striking a pose at the 2026 Met Gala.
Though the Emmy winner has built a reputation for his eclectic red carpet fashion, he revealed he won’t be present during fashion’s biggest night because he hasn’t been asked to attend.
“I haven’t been invited back since 2019,” Billy said during an April 22 appearance on SiriusXM’s Bevelations. “That’s the only time I’ve ever gone and the only time I’ve ever been invited and I was invited by Ryan Murphy that year.”
And while the Pose actor hasn’t been on the guest list in the seven years since, he noted his absence was especially poignant at last year’s event, which featured the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme.
“Last year was Black dandyism and I was not invited, I’m just going to throw that out there,” the 56-year-old continued. “The reality is when people ask me, you need to know I was not invited and I don’t go to places where I’m not welcome.”
However, Billy emphasized that he is “all good” and has done the inner work to avoid being disheartened by his exclusion.
“I’ve earned the invitation and it’s OK that I don’t have it because there’s a level that I’ve reached that doesn’t require validation from the outside,” the Tony winner shared. “So, I’m going to sit and live in that because it helps keep me sane too.”
…At the 2019 event, whose “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme inspired many over-the-top looks, Billy dressed as an Egyptian god in an all-gold outfit complete with wings and a chain headdress. He also arrived on the carpet on a cushioned platform carried by six shirtless men in matching gold pants.
“Ryan Murphy said I should do all five looks from Diana Ross in Mahogany,” he told The Hollywood Reporter that year. “I thought that sounded like too much work, but out of that came the idea to do Egyptian.”
Praising the event’s theme, Billy added, “Camp is the art of being extra in its finest and highest form. I’m glad we get to reclaim that word and make it a positive again, because it’s been a negative and a pejorative for too long.”
Can you IMAGINE the resplendent look Billy would have come up with for last year’s gala?! Remember, this is the man who wore a sequined zoot suit when he made history at the 2019 Emmys as the first openly gay Black man to win for lead actor in a drama. Seriously, Anna Wintour didn’t see fit to invite one of today’s foremost Black dandies to the Black dandyism gala. What gives, Wintour? I’m glad Billy is protecting his peace and sense of self-worth; he’s had a lot of upheaval over the last few years, including divorce, the death of his mother, having to sell his home due to the 2023 actors’ strike, and being forced to leave a production of Cabaret early after getting sepsis. All that can put something like a party invitation into perspective. But still, it always hurts on some level when you’re snubbed. My wish for Billy is that come next Monday, he posts a pic of his evening ticket for The Devil Wears Prada 2. And speaking of movies, this man is one big O away from reaching full EGOT status. Let’s make this happen, Hollywood!
Photos credit: Cover Images, Avalon.red, Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon, Faye Sadou/Avalon
That’s the most insane thing I’ll read today. Unacceptable. Maybe they are worried he will outshine every woman there. Which he will. Shameful and ludicrous.
Love him and his style. But there’s a possible reason. Iirc he called Anna Wintour “that bitch” in an interview while calling out Vogue for using a strait white man like Harry styles on the cover to promote gender fluid dressing. It’s possible that is why he has not been invited back. Anna may not have liked that.
“That bitch said to me at the end, ‘How can we do better?'” he continued. “And I was so taken off guard that I didn’t say what I should have said.”
As the 53-year-old explained, he felt that he should’ve urged Wintour and her staff to “use your power as Vogue to uplift the voices of the leaders of this de-gendering of fashion movement.”
https://www.eonline.com/news/1382968/billy-porter-calls-out-anna-wintour-over-harry-styles-vogue-cover
Love Billy, but if you don’t care what enemies you make, eventually it will cost you.
My understanding is that ‘bitch’ seems to be a commonly used term in gay banter in the US…. when talking about men or women… it’s not exactly a complement, but it’s not quite got the same insult-value as when it’s used in the mainstream. That’s something I’ve noticed on some American drag and gay podcasts like Yestergays, Sibling Rivalry with Bob the Drag Queen and Monet Exchange, or the Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya. Although there are also a few who are critical of its overuse – I’m sure I’ve heard the Watch What Crappens’ guys, Ronnie and Ben, criticize a male gay reality star’s overdoing the term more than once.
Yeah…no. He called her a bitch as in negative. And Anna took it the way he intended. He has a history of saying nasty things and then being surprised by the blowback.
It is downright perplexing that he was not invited to the “Superfine” exhibit’s gala last year. Worse, none of us noticed.
I live in Manhattan and I’ll be out there protesting the union-buster MAGA Bezos Met Gala this year. Tax the billionaires!
He hasn’t been invited because he called Anna Wintour a bitch when Vogue put Harry Styles on the cover about gender-bending fashion. Billy is super talented. He deserves his EGOT, but truly, the man is often his own worst enemy. And he left Cabaret after getting sepsis? That’s the story they came up with?
What was the real reason? Spill the tea. This is the first I am hearing of this but now I’m curious.
His portrayal of the emcee was roundly criticized and ticket sales were in the tank.
I was always under the impression he was invited but had better things to do. Hurts to hear he was excluded. I hope he gets his EGOT. The man is a talented treasure.
Ever since i saw him cosying up to Prince Harry’s brother,i have reevaluated my opinion of him.
While I understand why folks are up in arms – keep in mind that when he went to the Met he was invited by someone else who brought a TABLE and invited celebs to attend. He did not get an invite directly from Anna or The Met. So it’s not like he was suddenly “in” and now he’s “out” at The Met Gala. But also AND…he hasn’t helped his cause with his behavior (he does not have the celebrity clout to say some of the things he’s said – about Anna specifically – and still be invited to things) and if someone wanted to invite him I could see Anna saying NO.
Billy is a talented artist who has monumental ego problems and an over stated opinion of himself as a well known superstar. Billy hasn’t achieved global superstar status and with his well known nasty attitude, I doubt if he ever will. He is just not a nice person.
Agree. He’s not half the celeb he thinks he is AND people don’t like him. It’s not a mystery why he’s not invited.
Love his work and style but 20 years ago as a guest of the playwright I met him backstage in Atlanta at a premiere of a play he was not in. I noticed a man was hanging back so went over and introduced myself and asked how he knew the playwright. I was a nobody, but many of the guests were investors, and he couldn’t have known which category I fell into. He could not have been more contemptuous and dismissive of me, and so offended that I didn’t already know who he was. I quickly walked away. Not even counting the things he actually has said publicly, if he’s treated enough people like that privately, that’s a very good reason to keep him away from media-intensive gigs. You reap what you sow.
Love Billy! He’s so creative and talented and frankly should be front and centre at every MET gala!
He was outstanding in Pose and hope he can do more roles like that – he embodied that role!
Anyone else read his memoir “Unprotected”? It can be a tough read but very insightful into his life and how it shaped who he is today. One of the most raw and candid memoirs I’ve ever read.
I’ve loved him in everything: his acting, his singing, his fashion. And I loved his book.