Facetime with Billy Porter

FX’S “Pose” made television history with its cast, the largest ensemble of LGBTQ performers ever to grace the screen. And while many of his co-stars were making their TV debut, Tony winner Billy Porter, as ballroom announcer Pray Tell, seized his moment in the spotlight with his heartbreaking storyline, dynamic delivery — and that unforgettable solo.

What has surprised you the most about the reaction to the show?

I’ve been very moved by the community’s reaction. I actually had a friend reach out to me who I hadn’t heard from in a long time, and he said my [Hiv-positive] storyline had helped him deal with the survivor guilt that he has had for a long time. So stuff like that just makes it really, really special.

How did you feel about that storyline?

That’s the only storyline that’s appropriate to tell in that time period. You can’t tell the story of “Pose” without that. I’m honored to represent for all my friends who didn’t make it. I’m just glad to be able to be in the position where I can remind the world that this happened, because when we don’t know our history, we are doomed to repeat it.

How do you begin to summon the energy for Pray Tell?

We’ve never met, clearly! [Laughs] That’s just my regular everyday energy. I’ve always been one to bounce off the walls. You ask my mother, and she couldn’t shut me up, she couldn’t stop me from singing, she couldn’t stop me from dancing. It’s just been my way all my life. The over-the-top, larger-thanlife character — that’s my wheelhouse! It’s actually less stressful to do it in film than to do it eight times a week [onstage].

If you sing again in Season 2, what would you want to perform?

I want to dive into the unfortunate relationship between the gay community and the church. And maybe sing in front of a real gospel choir. That’s really where I come from.

There’s been a trend lately of doing live musicals for TV. Is that something that you would consider doing?

They’ve never called me! But yes, I would love to. I would want to do the “Kinky Boots” musical. I would want to do what I created, wherever that’s going to be. I would love for it to be actually on film, so I can get my Oscar. I’m dreaming — and I’m dreaming big! You’ve gotta put it out there.

Interview by DEBRA BIRNBAUM Photograph by NYRA LANG Things You Didn’t Know About Billy PorterAGE: 48 BIRTHPLACE: Pittsburgh WHAT HE SINGS IN THE SHOWER: “Whatever I’m listening to right now. Now it’s the boys from Pentatonix.” ON HIS NIGHTSTAND: Ta-nehisi Coates GO-TO PODCAST: “Pod Save America” SECRETTALENT: “I like to cook. IfI was not a performer or an artist, I would probably be a chef.”