Latest news with #BillyPorter
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
TV star Billy Porter blasted over 'replaced the Jews' line while promoting new musical
Award-winning actor Billy Porter has sparked controversy during a recent appearance on CBS Mornings, where he remarked that 'black people have replaced the Jews' while discussing his new leading role on Broadway. The 55-year-old actor and singer appeared on the network's morning segment on Monday to promote his role as the Emcee in the Broadway revival of the 1966 musical Cabaret. Cabaret is a dark, provocative classic set in 1930s Berlin that explores the fate of a seedy nightclub and its patrons as the shadow of Nazism begins to fall over the city. However, for the first time, this new revival will feature three Black actors in its leading roles - a historic casting choice Porter confirmed on Monday. 'This is the first time in the 60-year history that all three of those characters have been African-American in a commercial production,' he said. 'And with what's going on in the world right now, black people have replaced the Jews in this sort of configuration of what we're going through.' His comment quickly sparked a wave of backlash across the internet, including from Broadway influencer Ben Lebofsky, who has a significant following on TikTok. Lebofsky, who has 23.2K followers under the handle @broadwayben, posted a video on Tuesday accusing Porter of downplaying antisemitism. Specifically, the influencer argued that Porter's remark implied that 'Jews no longer face discrimination,' a statement that ignited significant concern and debate among viewers who felt it overlooked the persistence of anti-Jewish prejudice. 'As we all know, antisemitism is alive and well, and to me, it feels like Billy's comments here is dismissing,' Lebofsky said in the video. 'Which becomes even more problematic when you consider that he is about to step into a musical that is first and foremost about Jewish trauma,' he added. Though Lebofsky took issue with Porter's wording, he also recognized that the parallels drawn between the experiences of Jewish and black Americans are not without merit - reflecting complex and shared histories of oppression. 'I think what he is trying to say is that, in today's day and age, black people face a lot of discrimination, and you can draw a lot of parallels to the discrimination that black people face and the discrimination that Jewish people face, which I think is a true statement,' Lebofsky added. The comments beneath Lebofsky's video largely echoed his concerns, with many viewers expressing anger and frustration over Porter's remarks. 'Not to mention the huge population of black Jews he is just ignoring. Jewish doesn't equal white,' one comment read. A second added: 'Genuinely what would possess him to say that while playing the Emcee.' Often seen as the symbolic heart of Cabaret, the Emcee (right) embodies the seductive excess and creeping decay of Weimar-era Berlin - ultimately offering a haunting mirror to an unraveling society as the Nazi regime rises to power 'It's like you can hear the exact moment that the Cabaret PR team started to have a panic attack,' another viewer wrote. A fourth concurred, accompanied by a sad-face emoji: 'Clearly Billy Porter doesn't know the plot of Cabaret.' 'Billy has always played the Oppression Olympics. The only pain he's interested in discussing is his own,' wrote another. The latest revival of Cabaret debuted last year with Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne captivating audiences as the Emcee. Now, Billy Porter will step into the spotlight, bringing his own bold interpretation to the iconic role as the production heads toward its final curtain this October. Porter's role as the Emcee - the flamboyant, enigmatic master of ceremonies at the Kit Kat Club, where much of the story unfolds - places him at the center of the musical's unsettling world. Often seen as the symbolic heart of Cabaret, the Emcee embodies the seductive excess and creeping decay of Weimar-era Berlin - ultimately offering a haunting mirror to an unraveling society as the Nazi regime rises to power. Back in April, Porter participated in a photo project titled Borrowed Spotlight, which paired Holocaust survivors with prominent celebrities to amplify their stories and ensure their experiences continue to be seen and heard. 'I was honored to meet fellow New Yorker Bella Rosenberg for a photoshoot with @brycethompson and the @borrowedspotlight project,' Porter wrote in an Instagram post regarding his experience.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Broadway actor says 'Black people have replaced the Jews' in Nazi Germany-era play
Actor Billy Porter defended lead roles in WWII play being played by Black actors in the musical "Cabaret" as a political act, on "CBS Mornings."
Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Broadway star Billy Porter says 'Black people have replaced the Jews' while promoting revival of 'Cabaret'
Actor Billy Porter said "Black people have replaced the Jews" in today's world during an interview on Monday about his revival of the musical "Cabaret" with actors of color. In the play, Porter plays "Emcee," an American fleeing the Jim Crow South in the 1930s who ends up in a concentration camp in Europe. He told "CBS Mornings" this was the first time three Black actors had played the lead roles in the musical, and compared how Black people are being treated today to how Jews were treated during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. "This is the first time in the 60-year history that all three of those characters have been African-American in a commercial production," he said. "And with what's going on in the world right now, Black people have replaced the Jews in this sort of configuration of what we're going through." Cabaret's original plot portrays a nightclub in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and has several prominent Jewish characters. Porter described the production as "a call to action" for audiences. "I hope this piece is when you come to see it, you know, it lights a fire under booties, so that we can remind ourselves that love always wins, and all we have to do is get out in the streets and do our work," he continued. "CBS Mornings" anchor Gayle King agreed, remarking, "We need that reminder." The clip was first flagged by TikTok influencer Ben Lebofsky on X. "I'm sorry- Black people have WHAT??" he wrote in response to the clip. His post reached over one million views in 48 hours. Porter also told CBS that he was turned down from auditioning for the role in the late 1990s but feels like getting the part now is timely. "With the state of the world right now and with art as my activism, as my resistance, I'm right where I'm supposed to be for this piece," he said. A spokesperson for Porter did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Porter wants to build his own fashion and beauty empire
Billy Porter plans to build his own fashion and beauty empire after launching his first make-up line. The 55-year-old singer/actor has ventured into the beauty business by founding his own cosmetics company called Black Mona Lisa, which shares the same name as his 2023 song and features products including cleanser and serums as well as eye shimmers and lip stick , and Billy hopes the launch is just the start of his business career. He told WWD: "Black Mona Lisa to me is ever-present. It's classic forever and doesn't go out of style. This is just Black Mona Lisa beyond the music. "But I also want Black Mona Lisa clothes, shoes and cookware." Billy went on to insist he hopes the brand can "free people" because there are "no rules" when it comes to make-up. He added: "What I've learned from being out with my younger friends is that there are no letters; there are no rules. It's freeing and it's fun; it's authentic. "This is my authentic self, and I didn't even know it. That's what I want this brand to be. I want it to free people, and to be whatever they want to be." It comes after Billy previously admitted he's actually "an introvert" but has learned to be more outgoing because of his career, which has involved starring in shows in both the West End and on Broadway. When asked what makes him smile, he told Town and Country magazine: "True kindness. You wouldn't know it but ... I'm an introvert. "I know how to be an extrovert because my job requires it. But if you want to know the real me, I'm a home boy, I want to be with my friends. It's something that has shifted over the years; I think I started out as an extrovert as a young person." The stage star went on to insist living and working in London for his role in a West End revival of Cabaret has been "really healing" experience for him. He said: "My whole life is the greatest thing that ever happened. As a black gay man on this earth in this time. What's so great about London? "I love the people, the architecture. I love how art is still for everyone, even though I know you guys are holding onto that concept by a thread. "I love the fashion here, it is open and fun and not muted by masculine tropes. I also love the sex positivity in London - it is very healing to me."
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Porter wants to build his own fashion and beauty empire
Billy Porter plans to build his own fashion and beauty empire after launching his first make-up line. The 55-year-old singer/actor has ventured into the beauty business by founding his own cosmetics company called Black Mona Lisa, which shares the same name as his 2023 song and features products including cleanser and serums as well as eye shimmers and lip stick , and Billy hopes the launch is just the start of his business career. He told WWD: "Black Mona Lisa to me is ever-present. It's classic forever and doesn't go out of style. This is just Black Mona Lisa beyond the music. "But I also want Black Mona Lisa clothes, shoes and cookware." Billy went on to insist he hopes the brand can "free people" because there are "no rules" when it comes to make-up. He added: "What I've learned from being out with my younger friends is that there are no letters; there are no rules. It's freeing and it's fun; it's authentic. "This is my authentic self, and I didn't even know it. That's what I want this brand to be. I want it to free people, and to be whatever they want to be." It comes after Billy previously admitted he's actually "an introvert" but has learned to be more outgoing because of his career, which has involved starring in shows in both the West End and on Broadway. When asked what makes him smile, he told Town and Country magazine: "True kindness. You wouldn't know it but ... I'm an introvert. "I know how to be an extrovert because my job requires it. But if you want to know the real me, I'm a home boy, I want to be with my friends. It's something that has shifted over the years; I think I started out as an extrovert as a young person." The stage star went on to insist living and working in London for his role in a West End revival of Cabaret has been "really healing" experience for him. He said: "My whole life is the greatest thing that ever happened. As a black gay man on this earth in this time. What's so great about London? "I love the people, the architecture. I love how art is still for everyone, even though I know you guys are holding onto that concept by a thread. "I love the fashion here, it is open and fun and not muted by masculine tropes. I also love the sex positivity in London - it is very healing to me."
