In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Billy Porter, the prominent LGBTQ advocate and performer, has expressed his criticism towards Harry Styles’ appearance on the cover of Vogue in 2020. Porter, known for his influential presence in the fashion and entertainment industries, conveyed his discontent by suggesting that Styles secured the coveted spot due to his “whiteness and heterosexuality.”
Porter openly expressed his reservations, asserting that the utilization of his community for elevation purposes without genuine involvement or sacrifice was disheartening. He remarked, “It doesn’t feel good to me. You’re using my community — or your people are using my community — to elevate you. You haven’t had to sacrifice anything.”
Interestingly, Porter revealed a prior interaction with Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. He disclosed that Wintour had consulted him on the direction the magazine should take, asking for guidance. Reflecting on the exchange, Porter shared, “That bitch said to me at the end, ‘How can we do better?’ And I was so taken off guard that I didn’t say what I should have said.”
Porter had encouraged Wintour to use Vogue’s influence to amplify the voices driving the gender-neutral fashion movement. However, he noted that despite his recommendations, six months later, Harry Styles, a white and straight individual, graced the cover. This occurrence aligned poorly with Porter’s aspirations for meaningful representation within the fashion world.
While Porter has been candid about his dissatisfaction with Styles’ Vogue cover, he emphasized that his concerns were not directed at Styles personally. Instead, Porter questioned the selection of Styles as the symbol of a new conversation around gender and fashion, stating, “I’m not dragging Harry Styles, but he is the one you’re going to try and use to represent this new conversation? He doesn’t care, he’s just doing it because it’s the thing to do.”
For Porter, this issue transcends aesthetics; it’s about politics and personal experiences. He highlighted the stark contrast between his own struggles for acceptance and Styles’ seemingly effortless rise to the forefront of the fashion industry. As Porter aptly pointed out, “This is politics for me. This is my life. I had to fight my entire life to get to the place where I could wear a dress to the Oscars and not be gunned down. All he has to do is be white and straight.”
Billy Porter’s words underscore the complexity of representation and the nuanced discussions it sparks within the LGBTQ community and the broader fashion landscape.