Billy Porter Is NOT Over Harry Styles Landing Historic Vogue Cover: 'You're Using My Community'

Billy Porter has reiterated his frustration with Harry Styles' historic Vogue cover, slamming the magazine for putting the spotlight on the singer, who he says "happens to be white and cute and straight."

In a new interview, Porter recalled an alleged conversation with Anna Wintour about LGBTQIA+ representation in Vogue, feeling he missed an opportunity to advocate for the "de-gendering of fashion movement."

Keep on reading to learn more.

After a span of over 24 months, Billy Porter, in an interview with the Telegraph, is revisiting his concerns with Harry Styles' Vogue cover, reiterating his belief that Styles is heterosexual despite the singer not having publicly identified his sexuality.

In Porter's view, Styles' appearance on the cover was facilitated by his alignment with societal norms, leading him to assert, "It's not Harry Styles's fault that he happens to be white and cute and straight and fit into the infrastructure that way."

The "Anything's Possible" actor further expressed that he felt the use of the LGBTQ+ community for elevation without true sacrifice was unsettling, adding, "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."

Potter's comments bring to the forefront ongoing claims of queerbaiting that have plagued Styles, suggesting that he strategically teases his sexuality through his fashion choices for the LGBTQ+ community.

In his interview with the outlet, Porter also recounted an alleged interaction with Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, regarding improvements for LGBTQIA+ representation in the publication, leading up to Styles' cover issues.

Porter expressed his initial surprise, noting, "That b*tch 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."

However, Porter felt he missed an opportunity to make a more impactful response. He wished he had advised Wintour to use Vogue's influence to "uplift the voices of the leaders of this de-gendering of fashion movement." In the end, Wintour's decision to feature the former One Direction band member on the cover of the prestigious magazine left Porter feeling disappointed.

Porter had previously voiced his frustration about not being selected to be on the cover of the historic Vogue issue and stated, "[Styles] doesn't care, he's just doing it because it's the thing to do."

At the time, the actor emphasized the significance of his own journey in advocating for gender expression and mentioned that Styles didn't face the same struggles. 

"This is politics for me. This is my life. I had to fight my entire life to get to the palace where I could wear a dress to the Oscars and not be gunned down," he explained. "All he has to do is be white and straight."

However, Porter later apologized on the "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" for any negative impact his remarks might have had on Styles.

After publicly announcing his separation from his husband, Adam Smith, Porter is navigating his life post-breakup. In early July, the singer and actor shared the news of their mutual decision to end their six-year marriage through a statement from his representative. It read, per People, "The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter."

In a recent interview with the Evening Standard, the Grammy winner humorously remarked on the widespread knowledge of his divorce, saying, "The whole world knows I'm getting a divorce! Y'all want to talk about my divorce and Ricky Martin's at the same time?"

Speaking about the end of his relationship with Smith, Porter reflected, "Relationships are hard. I will always love him. We made it as far as we could. But we learn, we grow and we live. And I'm looking forward to the next ... adventure."

Playfully, the "Cinderella" star mentioned that he's "back on the market" and is searching for an "English huzzzband." Currently stationed in London for his performances, he emphasized the spelling of "huzzzband" to add a lighthearted touch to his sentiments.