Billy Porter is an award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright. Born in Pittsburg, Porter made Emmy history in 2019 as the first openly gay back man to win the best lead actor in the award’s drama category, for his role as Pray Tell in the FX series Pose. His theatre history is acclaimed as well with starring roles on Broadway in Kinky Boots, Dreamgirls, A Chorus Line and more.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Billy Porter made his first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance in the 2019 Parade, following his performance with the ensemble of Kinky Boots during the 2013 Parade. Porter appeared and performed on the glitzy and glamourous "Rexy in the City" float, furnished by Coach, which features the brand’s iconic dinosaur, Rexy, amidst a glittery, carnival-style version of New York.
Ahead of the Parade, Porter gave an interview with L'Officiel where he shared his excitement of appearing in the famed holiday spectacle. “I haven’t actually seen the float yet, but everyone loves dinosaurs,” he said. “I’m going to be three stories up, so I’m not going to be looking down much.”
For his appearance on the NBC telecast of the Parade, Porter performed a show-stopping rendition of his hit song, "Love Yourself". The Gamma Phi Circus from Normal, Illinois accompanied the float and performed high-flying stunts and tricks to compliment the high-energy musical number.
Porter is now currently set to return at the 2024 Parade.