Billy Porter criticizes Harry Styles Vogue cover and labels Anna Wintour as offensive

Billy Porter criticizes Harry Styles' Vogue cover and calls Anna Wintour a "b****," accusing them of using the LGBTQ+ community for publicity.

Billy Porter, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in "Pose" and "Kinky Boots," has once again expressed his dissatisfaction with Harry Styles' Vogue cover and criticized Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Porter revealed that he had previously spoken to Anna about promoting the "de-gendering of fashion movement" before Harry, the former One Direction singer, became the first-ever solo male cover star for US Vogue in 2019.

Porter expressed his anger towards Vogue for using Harry Styles as the face of genderfluid and non-binary fashion, stating that it was not Harry's fault for fitting into the traditional standards of beauty and masculinity. He directed his criticism towards the gatekeepers of the fashion industry, accusing them of using his community to elevate themselves without making any sacrifices.

Porter shared that he had been invited to a question and answer session with Anna in front of Condé Nast staff a few months prior to the release of Harry's Vogue cover. He expressed regret for not speaking up during that session and urged Anna to use her power as Vogue's editor-in-chief to uplift the voices of leaders in the de-gendering of fashion movement. However, six months later, Harry Styles appeared on the cover as the first man.

This is not the first time Billy Porter has criticized Harry's Vogue cover. In 2021, he voiced his disappointment in an interview with the Sunday Times, stating that he felt the fashion industry had accepted him only because they had to. He argued that despite starting the conversation about gender and fashion, Vogue chose to feature a straight white man like Harry Styles on their cover, instead of amplifying the voices of those who have been fighting for change.

Porter clarified that his criticism was directed towards Vogue and not Harry Styles personally. He believed that Harry was simply following the trend without truly understanding the deeper implications and significance of the conversation. For Porter, this issue is deeply political and personal, as he had to overcome numerous obstacles to be able to wear a dress to the Oscars without facing backlash or discrimination.

Billy Porter later apologized for his remarks, acknowledging that the conversation was not about Harry Styles as an individual, but rather about the larger systems of oppression and erasure faced by people of color in the fashion industry and society as a whole.

In conclusion, Billy Porter has been vocal about his discontent with Harry Styles' Vogue cover and has criticized Anna Wintour for not using her power to uplift marginalized voices in the fashion industry. Porter's comments highlight the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and representation in the world of fashion.

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