A post shared by Billy Porter (@theebillyporter)This profile is part of Queerty’s 2021 Out For Good series, recognizing public figures who’ve had the courage to come out and make a difference in the past year, in celebration of National Coming Out Day on October 11.Name: Billy Porter, 52Bio: Porter grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the surrounding suburbs.
From an early age, he gravitated toward the performing arts, showing a proclivity for music and theatre. As an adult, he broke into showbiz with an appearance on the popular show Star Search where he won a $100,000 prize.
A high-profile role in Grease on Broadway followed, as did parts in several regional productions, before his career stalled due to homophobia–Porter never bothered.