Billy Porter Opens Up About Directorial Film Debut After Career Struggle
After years of acting on screen and on stage, Billy Porter has begun a new chapter of his career by directing a movie for the first time. In a recent interview, the "POSE" actor candidly opens up about what he feels today after struggling in his life.
Speaking to Collider, the 52-year-old actor said he feels "redemptive" after the struggles he faced throughout his career because many people in the industry told him his queerness would be his liability.
Today, it doesn't feel that way as he gets to do the things he wanted to do because he's the one in charge of his career path.
"I chose my own authenticity, and I chose to be truthful and honest, no matter what and no matter where the chips would fall. I hope that, in setting myself free, others will be set free too," he said.
Porter is the director of the recent coming-of-age romance/comedy film "Anything's Possible." The story revolves around a confident trans woman who's living her best life while her mother is supportive of her decisions.
His classmate later asked her out on a date because he has a crush on her. However, he must learn to follow his heart despite other people's judgment.
The actor had been directing theater productions before, but this is the first time he dabbled in the world of film.
Speaking about his experience, he recalled searching for his own voice in 2000 because he wasn't happy at that point in his career.
After reading the book "The Artist's Way," a big realization hit him that he needed to "be at the helm" and be "in the driver's seat" by telling his own story.
The only way to share his story with the world is to write and direct it because nobody else knows what to do.
"That's where it started, about 22 years ago. And I went into the theater first because I already had connections in the theater, but my goal was always to transition into film and television," he explained.
Opening up about the opportunity of directing, Porter said the project found him and it was a perfect moment for him because it was everything that he had been asking for.
Prior to accepting "Anything's Possible," the actor said he never really had any film directing opportunities and he's grateful to take on the role.
