Billy Porter Apologizes For Slamming Harry Styles’ ‘Vogue’ Cover Photo: The Conversation Is Deeper–It’s About The Erasure Of People Of Color

Billy Porter, Harry Styles

Billy Porter Apologizes For Slamming Harry Styles’ ‘Vogue’ Cover Photo: The Conversation Is Deeper–It’s About The Erasure Of People Of Color

Billy Porter is making peace with Harry Styles!

Late last year, Harry Styles made headlines for being the first man to be featured solo on a Vogue cover. The “Watermelon Sugar” singer was notably wearing a dress on the cover of the fashion magazine, which some found controversial.

While the cover in question debuted back in late 2020, POSE actor Billy Porter blasted both Vogue and Harry Styles over the matter less than a month ago. The 52-year-old actor initially proclaimed:

“I changed the whole game. I. Personally. Changed. The. Whole. Game. And that is not ego, that is just fact. I was the first one doing it and now everybody is doing it.”

He continued:

“I feel like the fashion industry has accepted me because they have to. I’m not necessarily convinced and here is why. I created the conversation [about non-binary fashion] and yet Vogue still put Harry Styles, a straight white man, in a dress on their cover for the first time… He is the one you’re going to try and use to represent this new conversation?”

Billy Porter then said Harry Styles

“doesn’t care, he’s just doing it because it’s the thing to do. 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 now. All he has to do is be white and straight.”

Billy Porter

Now, Billy Porter is apologizing to Harry Styles for his comments. Last week, Porter was asked about the matter while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He stated,

“Harry Styles, I apologize to you for having your name in my mouth. It’s not about you, the conversation is not about you. The conversation is actually deeper than that. It is about the systems of oppression and erasure of people of color who contribute to the culture.”

He continued:

“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 I ever, adjudicate my life or humanity in sound bites on social media. So when you’re ready to have the real conversation, call a b***h! Okay? I’m ready to have it!”

Humorously, Billy Porter proceeded to add:

“I’m sorry, Harry. I didn’t mean no harm–I’m a gay man! We like Harry, he’s cute!”

He then shared that he didn’t anticipate the matter would blow up as much as it did:

“I am surprised [the comments circulated] because there are so many other things that are important on this Earth to be talking about. It’s just weird!”

What are your thoughts on Billy Porter’s apology to Harry Styles? Comment down below to let us know!