Billy Porter and Céline Dion.Photo:Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Billy Porteris reflecting on the challenges he faced in the early days of his music career.
While the actor/singer, 54, may be considered an A-lister and a fashion game-changer nowadays, he opened up in aninterview with Vultureabout how “traumatizing” it was trying to make it as a musician in the ‘90s because of the “homophobia” he experienced. TheBroadwaystar explained to the publication, who honored him with a Master of Culture Honorary Degree, that he especially felt defeated when his song “Love Is On the Way” was given toCéline Dion.
“It was traumatizing. The industry was very homophobic,” Porter said of his stint trying to pursue a career as a solo recording artist after he wonStar Searchin 1992 and was in the midst of starring in his first roles on Broadway. “It was all about the smoke and mirrors of trying to make the world think I was straight, that I was masculine enough to exist.”
Billy Porter.Michael Tullberg/Getty
Michael Tullberg/Getty
He explained that after years of allowing the industry to try to change him because he thought he “should listen to their advice,” he no longer recognized himself.
He continued, “It happened in that moment, and I said, ‘I’m done. If this is all the music business has to offer me, I’m done. She can have it, y’all can have it, I’m out.’”
ThePoseactor clarified that it wasn’t the “My Heart Will Go On” singer, 55, who he was frustrated with, but rather the industry itself. “I love her, no shade, she’s fabulous, this isn’t about Céline Dion,” Porter added. “It’s about the systems of oppression that mute and dismiss our contribution to the world.”
“She free, bitch!” the performer joked of making music on his own terms today.
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In a press release, the singer-songwriter opened up about his intentions behind the project. “So many of the songs on my album have a very similar theme — getting to a place of recognizing your own worth and celebrating yourself,” he shared in a statement. “The world will try to tell you who you are, and the world will try to decide if you matter. No outside force or entity gets to decide that.”
He continued, “‘Black Mona Lisa,’ the song, is the pinnacle of everything on the album, hence also being the name of the album. We do not need your tolerance, but we do demand your respect. Knowing your self-worth, your value, being able to stand firmly in your authentic self, those things are worth more than gold, and you will pay me as such."
Ahead of the release, the formerKinky Bootsstar promoted the 12-track album out on the road with the 25-city nationwide tour TheBlack Mona LisaTour: Volume 1.
source: people.com
