A decade or so ago, the anointed group of the world’s most famous men who get looked at and photographed more than anyone else felt they weren’t getting enough attention and decided to dive head first into capital “F” Fashion on the red carpet. Between them and their stylists, they fired up an attention race against their less-paid female counterparts to steal more flashbulbs for their bold fashion statements. This post is in recognition of famous men who avoided that trap while still balancing elegance, masculinity, and handsome Hollywood glamour (with one notable exception).
Billy Porter reignited a quieting career with a brilliant turn on Broadway as the flamboyant drag queen Lola in the hit musical Kinky Boots. The show elevated Billy’s profile considerably, earning him a well-deserved Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and leading him to a role in the popular FX series Pose, which centers around gay, drag, and ball culture in 1980s New York. Enjoying new shades of celebrity, Billy wisely snatched the opportunity to re-brand as a gender fluid extravaganza, and red carpet showings like his at this year’s Academy Awards are cause for applause.
4 Comments
Apparently, Billy Porter was also paying hommage to Hector Xtravaganza who passed way in December 2018. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuSG55rHkce/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading
A lovely tribute that makes total sense. Hector was a legend.
NYTimes.com ran a red carpet picture of Mahershala Ali today. Every time I see him he strikes me as one of the best dressed men on the planet. He’s clearly into fashion but it doesn’t take center stage; he does.
Something about Billy Porter’s tux/dress that is rather stunning/becoming. Much in the same way as when Marlene Dietrich wore a tuxedo.