Billy Porter wants to embrace fashion legacy but is mindful to keep ego in check and we love him for it

Billy Porter has arguably had a huge influence on the fashion world since stepping into the spotlight, but while he wants to embrace being a fashion icon, he admits he’s mindful about doing so.

While the Pose star, 51, deserves all the credit for championing genderless fashion and influencing a whole host of stars since walking the Oscars red carpet in his iconic tuxedo gown, Billy says he still wants to keep his ego in check.

Opening up to In Style, Billy – who rocks his shoot in the April issue in a tailored shirt dress and beaded hat – explained: ‘It’s hard because I feel like I’ve had an influence, but I also don’t want my ego to get big.

‘For instance, I just saw some of the latest fall men’s collections and there are a bunch of coats that have these little trains behind them – now I could say, “I may have been an influence there,” but I’d rather let other people say it.’

Billy teased: ‘When Time magazine called me a fashion icon, I finally said, “Ok, maybe now I can say it myself without sounding like an ass.”‘

The actor’s savvy sense of style has definitely inspired his fellow celebs, with both Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness and Harry Styles taking a leaf out of Billy’s book and throwing two fingers up to the patriarchy.

In fact, Harry sporting a dress for a shoot with Vogue had everyone talking and stirred up huge debate on social media.

Billy welcomes fashion going against the grain, however, and recalled feeling ‘frustrated’ that while women could wear whatever they want, whether it be a dress or a suit, men didn’t have the same freedom with their wardrobe.

‘The patriarchy is male, so suits are strong and anything feminine is weak. I was sick of that discussion and I knew my platform allowed me to challenge it,’ Billy said.

‘I had been running from my feminine side for years because I was told that my queerness would be a liability in this business and it was for decades – until it wasn’t.’

Last year, Billy opened up about the pressures that come with masculinity and claimed he turned his life around once he stopped worrying about societal norms.

‘My masculinity was in question from the moment I could comprehend thought. I was never masculine enough by society’s standards to walk the earth,’ he said in an interview with Essence.

‘By taking myself out of the masculinity game, that literally turned my life around, and all of those layers were building blocks to the authentic human being you see in front of you who gives zero f***s.’

Billy continued: ‘When I actually leaned into my truth, this is what ultimately happened. Did it take two-plus decades? Yes, but it’s happening and this is my ministry.’

The April issue of InStyle is available on newsstands, on Amazon and for digital download from March 19.

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