Icon Billy Porter Finds His ‘Superpower’ And Talks Art, Identity And Creativity With Ari Melber

Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Billy Porter explains how queerness became his “superpower;” what he learned through a slow-burn approach to success; and his political views from equality to accountability for attacks on American democracy. Porter spoke at length with MSNBC’s Ari Melber for the newest installment of “Mavericks with Ari Melber,” a series of interviews with artists, musicians and cultural icons.
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#BillyPorter #arimelber #Music

[@crookeddragon33077]

there is no like, love, care, wow, or any future reaction button that could do this interview any justice. 30+ minutes of genuine and hope. thanks to all who made this happen.

[@MJJBunny]

I've been a fan of Billy Porter for a long time. I loved the interview. Especially because you allowed him the space to speak his mind. Your questions were on point, and I know you made him feel comfortable answering them. I learned a lot about him, and I thank you for the interview.

[@kimcup5000]

I never really knew much about Billy Porter and... wow. Such a great interview. People like him give me hope in these awful days.

[@manita2653]

What an Inspiration is Billy Porter. Thank you Ari for a great Interview without interruption and allowing Billy to speak his truth. We, who were lead to hear this talk are blessed. I did not know of Billy Porter until this talk...please Billy continue to preach your Truth, the world needs your beautiful Bright Light.

[@oxanecastellan2391]

Ari this is a good interview.Keep doing what you are doing.I enjoy it.well done, Ari.Thank you.

[@tiffanyanderson9437]

Fantastic in all aspects. Billy Porter was teaching life lessons.

[@0211571]

Like this guy. Smart and honest. Don’t see that often enough on tv

[@benniewoods711]

I am so Masculent so Masculent. But this conversation, because I listened finally after 58 yrs of not opening my soul and letting this information absorb I couldn't hear this. Thank you Billy Porter ♥ and Ari stay just the way you report news. You are a gift to humanity sir.

[@dewilew2137]

What does “masculent” mean? I’ve never heard or seen that word before.

[@benniewoods711]

@@dewilew2137 could be spelled wrong . But then you might of known that. If u being sarcastic try harder. But if not , Google it , u believe in Google don't you? you know what that is right ? Smh 🤦‍♂️

[@alicelau9856]

Ari, this is my absolute favorite interview you've ever done.

[@scottsamuelson344]

👍

[@beaupianiste3738]

Absolutely! Billy is so brilliant, honest and powerful in being Billy's true self. A great conversation where there is a lot of space to just be, listen and communicate. ❤👍

[@TheDazy37]

100%

[@jmartin1821]

Billy and Ari, thanks goes to you both for being Mavericks. Great job guys! Keep teaching and preaching like this - Yay!

[@carltalley2389]

*Hooray* for brother Porter. His pride is emulating. Honestly. I'd never heard of him. Thank you brother Melber for the introduction. He's real to me unless I hear otherwise.

[@carltalley2389]

@Curtis Taylor I don't get you. And I'll keep this brief. What are you referring? Are you putting down, or uplifting? I'm being civil. Are you?

[@robstimson4234]

This is excellent. What a cool guy and what astute questions from Ari!

[@bigskybachelor]

Love Billy Porter! Love his authenticity! He gives me hope in so many ways. He is a bright light in these troubled times!

[@ecburt5046]

I could listen to these two all day long! Two amazing people shining their light on each other's talents. Great chemistry.

[@UandMeGod]

Well said! Exactly how I felt about these two!🥰

[@scottsamuelson344]

👍 Absolutely!

[@JYAVIDEO]

I cannot express how much I admire and thank Billy Porter for his bravery and strength to be where he is as an artist and activist. WE SHOULD ALL ADMIRE & embrace Billy Porter as a role model of what greatness can look like to be our authentic selves to follow our own path to do our part. Thank-you for your example and CONGRATULATIONS for reaching that place where you DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE and can be a voice to represent. xx

[@anneoconnell9970]

I love Billy Porter! Great interview, Ari!

[@marymunro1142]

Billy, no one can rock a cape like you. Keep shining your light. Thank you for being you.

[@shannonbowman5990]

Inspiring interview and conversation! Loved the breadth and depth of the discussion. Amazing so much said in such a relatively short time. Thanks for sharing and caring! And please keep up the “ministry” 😊

[@AUDACITY4Uphotographer]

Billy Porter is such a phenomenal talent.

[@scottsamuelson344]

Truly a Triple Threat, astounding talent. 💯

[@juliemiller9258]

That was a great, and fun interview. His voice gave me goosebumps from my toes to the top of my head! When I hear someone that on the surface is so different from myself and then speaks the truth that I can so personally understand and agree with, well that is a beautiful thing. Aloha

[@LADYKAT...]

I would love to see more interviews with Billy Porter. What an awesome human being.

[@heidichesbro7809]

I love this. Opens my eyes wide and my heart even wider.

[@poigmhahon]

Praise, and agreed lifted my heart tonight.

[@teracejones4257]

He’s such an amazingly wise and inspiring Artist and human being to watch and listen to.

[@adriangaulding6114]

I remember when a client said to me that I reminded them of Billy Porter. Not knowing who this is,,,, I was confused but now I say give me that crown.. Love me some Ari! thank you, sir.

[@khennapeebles453]

This soooo blessed me . Thank you for sharing

[@robingoldman5944]

This was an inspiring interview to all the young people. Very soul inspiring!🥰

[@feralLove]

💗 Such a beautiful soul Billy Porter and thank u for being you

[@nobrenobre1]

As European, I didn't know that men, and his celebrity, but, for a strait like me, what that guy delivered, Is really cleaver and important!

[@trulybrown53]

I LOVE BILLY PORTER!!!!!!!!!!! SO GLAD HE MADE IT TO WHO HE IS. Professor Porter. Has such a nice ring to it.

[@tubydobydo]

This was an amazing interview, thank you both! Wishing you love & happiness!

[@lauralafauve5520]

THAT WAS PERFECT!!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@pamelacassise9069]

I am so impressed with Billy Porter. Be who you are and kick butt doing it! He is gorgeous, smart, so talented, and really knows what It Is all about. Keep up you "superpower."

[@ZenBenzineX]

What a nice interview... Preach Billy. PREACH!!!!

[@scabcrawler632]

Praying for soul sheep

[@karenaaron1990]

Well done Billy and Ari! Beautiful interview.

[@beverlywaleur5745]

I love Billy Porter, the person and the entertainer.

[@johnbrown4949]

Tell it all man. 💯

[@justbeingme6757]

It’s the authenticity for me! Billy is a whole movement and I’m getting on that train! Love you Billy Porter! And Ari did an excellent job!

[@joyannsmith6062]

This is such a beautiful conversation it is so nuance and honest. When we allow ourselves the privilege of listening to someone's truth without judgement we become better humans.

[@gcchair7634]

I love this man! He is an astonishing actor, singer and performer…Cuts from his “butch” album” are incredible.

[@mlbrewington4085]

This makes me wish I was invited to a dinner party and Ari and Billy were at least two of the guests. Absolutely enjoyed this interview! Although I’ve followed Billy over the last few years, it was great getting a deeper insight into his NOW and his history in this type of setting.

[@cherylcardran1776]

I was unfamiliar with Billy Porter, so Thank you! He's great!

[@cherylcardran1776]

I am blown away! Fabulous!

[@judychandler8485]

Billy Porter is very cool. I'm so happy knowing he is finally able to be who he is, and besides, he's a huge talent !! And Ari, you're a great interviewer ..I love following you ..😎 💞

[@carolekoneff5231]

Thank you Ari Melber and Billy Porter, that was a wonderful interview. I am so proud of you both. Well done Billy Porter, you are doing great work!

[@Rebel_AF]

Fantastic interview ❤️🙏 more of THIS please

[@patcomerford5596]

Great interviewing skills by Ari, he let Mr. Porter answer the questions without interrupting him. He is a most interesting interviewee.

[@gailbrown668]

Thank you Ari and thank you Billy Porter 💖💖

[@margotbergman1]

Thanks, Ari!

[@FrankBriggs]

Great, great interview. I love Billy Porter!

[@techynerdygypsy1731]

I already ❤️ Billy from church choir days... GMWA 🙏🏿 But this just warmed my entire soul... Thank You Billy for Being you!!!

[@poigmhahon]

awesome!!

[@josephcorrigan3846]

I am so freaking happy right now! Thank you Billy. Thank you, Ari.

[@ebonykaleidoscope]

This is a fantastic interview. Billy Porter is so well thought out and brilliant. Now I know that it didn’t come easily…even though he makes it look so easy.

[@poigmhahon]

I love this dude...great interview

[@onasledoverland]

Brilliant 👏 👏

[@shanlindsey3773]

I love billy porter. Such a great actor and singer.

[@ginahall5805]

Love Billy Porter 💙

[@Blackdressstyle44]

Exceptional interview🥰🌺🥀

[@evelynholmes1471]

❤️ Love it. Great Interview. 👍 😇 😇.

[@judysetorie8813]

🥰 Love the interview...stay just the way you are Billy. Love ya!

[@mikechrisg467]

Fantastic interview Ari thank you Billie!

[@kathrynnicolau8513]

Go Billy Porter! Being you at different stages , you did what you had to do! But you being you ,for real, often takes stages to find your true you! We all are in that journey! But you need to know, you were you all along! And always worthy! Being you now, is the matured, like a fine wine, you! Yum!

[@sunstar1630]

Biden has started another War, this time with Russia and the World will hate the USA. The Biden Administration has placed the Curse of abortion and homosexuality on the American People and the World will no longer tolerate these acts of immorality.

[@scabcrawler632]

🤡

[@douglasmarvin81]

Thank you Ari for hosting this amazing Man, amazing Person……Billy Porter……………learned a lot…………learned not to be fearful and to be open to others… “ Love each other as I have loved you “ ………..Be Well everyone!…………

[@bglamser]

Ari I’m so glad you reminded us of this interview. Immediately pulled it up to watch. Only 1/2 way through but had to stop and let you both know how much I enjoyed watching.

[@annmonick513]

I love Billy Porter!

[@carolekoneff5231]

Final quick fire round question - "sitting and living in the fullness of who you are" - Maverick! Brilliant!

[@bellabella9181]

That was a great interview.

[@lydiasharp6070]

Wonderful, wonderful interview…thanks guys!

[@Webnut]

Love real convos. People who have suffered talk real stuff. And you look way better now btw. The real awesome is the whole that u are.🔥

[@aarono817]

great discussion ! Billy is so awesome.

[@laurettaleone6482]

LOVE THIS! Thank you for this

[@camuscat123]

Fantastic interview! I never heard him speak at length. What a beautiful person

[@camuscat123]

Also: a favorite interview, as you offered great questions

[@camuscat123]

And Porter provided deep answers

[@anthonymurphy3021]

Billy Porter, your my hero

[@mani7263]

This X a thousand! What is would give to have a show on mainstream media hosted by Billy Porter!

[@hannahw9493]

Ryan Murphy on Billy Porter’s vision board is to Billy Porter on mine. How I would love to meet Billy and chat; how much that would mean to me. Superb, meaningful interview. Thank you.

[@claireberube4930]

Thank you Ari for this very special interview.

[@bobbieforseth7027]

I adore Billy and Ari to see the 2 together is a bonus, great interview from both 😃❤❤

[@scabcrawler632]

2 butt buddies broke back mountaining

[@scottsamuelson344]

Awesome interview Ari. Mr. Billy Porter, artist extraordinaire exemplifies that which many in the world can benefit from. Lived experiences with grateful reflection, wisdom to be shared.✌️💙

[@patrickgrinnan1517]

Awesome !

[@Veronica-I]

Ari such a wonderful interview. Thank you.

[@emilypenfield5075]

What a wonderful interview. Thank you Ari! Billy, keep preaching.

[@imkrisyoung]

Awesome interview! I love Billy Porter.

[@sandraknight8750]

I love him what a great interview

[@bobstewart1668]

Thank you Billy Porter. THANK YOU!

[@beverlywatterson9698]

Interesting conversation, I enjoyed it very much!💞💞💞

[@kiwaiyuis]

Best way to slip in a commercial, great music and Ari!

[@khennapeebles453]

You preaching !!

[@carlinetessier5500]

Ari I am glad to invite him, bravo Billi!

[@sunstar1630]

MSNBC speaks the immorality of abortion and homosexuality as the US enters another war, this time with Russia, a War that will turn the World against the corruption that spews out from Washington and the Fake News Media. The US will not win this war. Debt of US$31 Trillion of which China is owed US$9 Trillion.

[@scabcrawler632]

✊🏿🤡

[@janicescott-pair97]

Such a profound and open interview.

[@pethronianoel]

fabulous interview💜💜💜

[@tahiyamarome]

It's fascinating to read the comments. People don't seem to be aware how much of their take is embroidery on a very short exposure to someone. We (not excepting myself) have so much bias we bring with us to everything we experience.

[@dcrom]

Always knew I loved Billy Porter. Now I know why. Thanks, Ari

[@YoahWexler]

Fantastic. Inspirational. Thank you.

[@julievalentine1586]

Great interview!

[@gayleturner5125]

Love you Dearest Billy Porter

[@McGeeMaurice]

That was a wonderful interview Mr Melber Thank You. I learned so much about Billy Porter. I had considered Billy to be a bit of of a show off,Yes blessed with amazing talent but too much over the line I am It. Never again will I look at this warm yet thriving intellectually stimulating person as a Ms.Piggy, but rather as a Gift to us All for the Goodness of All.

[@vatiammatri2660]

So beautiful, powerful, relevant, important. Keep forging new frontiers, both of you. Ari I really think this is your best work. You held the space for the truths that needed to be shared. Billy, wow and yes. ❤🔥🙏🏼

[@Jinkerbell7]

Glorious! Oh you are an amazing, wise, motivated and inspirational individual Billy Porter (plus amazingly talented in all that you do!). Keep being you and guiding us forward to a better place. Love in infinity. ❤❤❤

[@stevenvanaria1267]

Great interview!!

[@bluemonkeyhair]

Stellar, moving interview. Thank you.

[@dawntodd9677]

Billy has made it whether he knows it or not! I’m so thankful he exists in my lifetime!!! 🙏🏾👏🏾☮️💜

[@wendybooker4464]

Thank you Billy Porter for being yourself and having so much talent and sharing who you are with the world. I love you.