“My whole life, honey, I’ve been waiting for this shoot!” That’s what Billy Porter told the Cut on set at our May cover shoot, photographed by British-Ghanaian photographer Campbell Addy. After Porter starred in FX’s Pose and slayed the red carpet during awards season, many other people have been waiting for his cover moment, too.
“I was very excited to exchange energies with another black gay man who has inspired me in many ways,” Addy said of working with Porter during the shoot. “The energy on set was electrifying,” he added, “and we were able to have a heart-to-heart of some sort.” Addy’s photographic oeuvre explores sexuality, culture, empowerment, and representation as it relates to race.
To match Addy’s eye for rich, saturated shades, the Cut’s fashion director Rebecca Ramsey chose colorful clothes by designers who challenge notions of masculinity. On the cover, Porter wears a yellow feathered top by Palomo Spain, a menswear designer whose dramatic, feminine clothes perfectly fit Porter’s personality.
Watch Porter behind-the-scenes at our shoot below, wearing a layered tulle Schiaparelli dress.
