Many movie stars or American Idol contestants sort of fall into theater… and say, ‘Oh, yeah, I would love to do theater.’ And then they get here and say, ‘Oh, wait a minute, this actually is a craft!’ It’s not just show up one day and do it. It’s show up eight times a week, twice on Wednesdays and twice on Saturdays. Billy Porter Read Quote
All you need to do is turn on the news, and in five minutes, you’re depressed with the state of the world. Choosing joy is a completely active choice. It doesn’t just happen. You can’t just say, ‘I want to be happy.’ You have to take action. Billy Porter Read Quote
I just feel like we as a human race tend to fear that which we don’t understand. It’s cause for a lot of bad things and bad behavior to exist on the planet. Artists have a way of touching people and changing minds in a way that sometimes other mediums don’t. Billy Porter Read Quote
I was fine being in the closet at the beginning of my career because that’s what you were supposed to be – until I realized that it didn’t serve anybody, and I was left feeling utterly empty. This is who I am, so I’ve gotta be me. Billy Porter Read Quote
Just by the nature of making the choice to be true to who I am, I’m political. Sometimes that’s all you need to do: Show up and be black, gay and Christian in America and actually say it out loud. And refuse to let anything or anybody take that away from you. Billy Porter Read Quote
For years I tried to put myself in a box, and it frustrated me, so I had to let go and let the universe take its course. Billy Porter Read Quote
I don’t in any way disparage any time I’ve had in the trenches because it really has made me the artist I am today. Billy Porter Read Quote
I’ve worked with a lot of gay and lesbian organizations. I sit on the board of the Empire State Pride Agenda. I’ve also done a lot of work for Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS. I think it’s important because, when we can be of service to others, it only enhances our lives. I’ve been helped a lot in my life. Billy Porter Read Quote