Billy Porter apologizes to Harry Styles over Vogue criticisms
(Picture: Getty)Billy Porter has made a public apology to Harry Styles after criticizing the singer’s Vogue cover that featured him in a dress.
While on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Thursday, Porter addressed his previous controversial comments and had a message for Styles.
“Harry Styles, I apologize to you for having your name in my mouth. It’s not about you. The conversation is not about you,” Porter said.
Styles became the first man to grace the magazine cover last year. On the cover, the “Adore You” singer wore a lacy Gucci dress.
.@harry_styles is our December issue cover star!
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) November 13, 2020
Read how the star is making and playing by his own rules: https://t.co/tQPLi5OEtj pic.twitter.com/AxZgxE68Rx
Porter made headlines recently after he questioned the magazine’s decision to put Styles on the historic cover during an interview withThe Sunday Times.
The Pose star told the outlet, “I feel like the fashion industry has accepted me because they have to. I created the conversation [about nonbinary fashion] and yet Vogue still put Harry Styles, a straight white man, in a dress on their cover for the first time.”
"I was the first one doing it and now everybody is doing it," Porter added. "I'm not dragging Harry Styles, but… He doesn't care, he's just doing it because it's the thing to do. This is politics for me. This is my life."
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
It should be noted that Styles has purposely kept his sexuality private so far.
During his appearance with Stephen Colbert, Porter explained that he was not trying to cancel Styles, but instead bring attention to the lack of representation given to people of color in culture.
“The conversation is actually deeper than that,” he told the TV host. “It is about the systems of oppression and erasure of people of color who contribute to the culture. Now, that's a lot to unpack. I'm willing to unpack it, sans the dragging and cancel culture of the Internet, because I do not now, nor will ever, adjudicate my life or humanity in sound bites on social media.”
“So, when you're ready to have the real conversation, call a bitch, ok? I’m ready to have it.”
Porter then reiterated his apology to the singer, "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean no harm," and concluded by saying, "I'm a gay man. We like Harry. He's cute."
