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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 9 March 2019

Billy Porter speaks on Oscars gown and social media hate

By LEANNE ITALIE is not my business. I lived
Associated Press that already,” he said. “I’m
NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Por- inside of my authenticity
ter, speaking to Vogue be- and the whole point is that
fore he walked the Oscars you have to respect me as
red carpet, knew what he much as I respect you. If
was in for among some so- you don’t like it, go some-
cial media users: where else. You don’t have
“People are going to be re- to look. It’s not about you.
ally uncomfortable with my I don’t understand why my
black ass in a ball gown, putting on a dress causes
but it’s not anybody’s busi- this much strife in your life.”
ness but mine.” Ratelle said he began
The remark from the Tony- working with Porter about a
winning stage performer, year ago.
actor and singer was both “He said, ‘I want to be a
prescient and disproven. piece of walking art,’ and
There was mega-praise for we just went from there,”
his velvet custom tuxedo Ratelle said. “It’s been re-
look by Christian Siriano ally awesome to work with
and outrage over the no- a bunch of great designers.
tion that an African Ameri- Randi Rahm was certainly
can man in a dress was a completely open. Issey Mi-
threat to black masculinity. yake was fantastic for the
It was just the conversation Radio City show (Porter was
Porter had hoped to pro- Billy Porter arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. a study in white). Christian
voke, not to collect viru- Associated Press Siriano, the fact that he did
lent hate but to help move breakout star of the bound- including a huge, hot pink- “It goes all the way back this custom gown in one
along the idea that we all ary-expanding FX series lined cape and floral em- to the earliest of emascu- week, was incredible after
deserve respect, across ra- “Pose,” spent awards sea- bellishments, grabbed at- lations, which is slavery, saying, ‘Absolutely. There’s
cial lines and the gender son using fashion as politi- tention, but social media so the only way to sort of no question we’ll do this.’
divide. cal art, as he describes it. support and disdain after overcome that is to be Michael Kors has been the
“I was ready to create the There were previous dress- the 49-year-old took to the the strongest and the most most gracious human. So
conversation,” Porter told es, and there was help from Oscars carpet took the de- masculine and the most has Tom Ford.”
The Associated Press in a powerhouses Tom Ford and bate into the stratosphere. powerful and now, what “People are actually lis-
phone interview Monday Michael Kors in the later Porter understands where has become toxic,” Porter tening,” he said. “I hope
the day after the Oscars. weeks, along with smaller established notions of said. “And I don’t think it’s it opens up a dialogue of
“We have to teach people designers who embrace a black masculinity originat- just black people. I think it’s healing. I will always con-
how to treat us, we have to greater gender fluidity in ed, and he understands men in general. Every eth- tinue to do me. If there’s
teach people how to love their collections and were how toxic they can be. He nicity has their version of it.” anything I’ve learned in
us, we have to teach peo- thrilled early on to dress and his stylist, Sam Ratelle, Porter couldn’t care less the 49 years that I’ve lived
ple how to respect us, and him. also realize how rigid gen- about negative comments. on this planet, is that being
the only way we do that is As a nominee at the Gold- der-driven taboos can be “The comments are not authentic is the only version
to respect ourselves.” en Globes, Porter’s custom and want to help the walls my business. What people of the story that anybody
Porter, the black and gay trouser look by Randi Rahm, come down. think about what I’m doing should be.”q

Festival co-founder: Lineup for Woodstock 50 coming soon

By MESFIN FEKADU On Thursday Variety report- perform at Woodstock 50,
Associated Press ed that Jay-Z, Black Keys, which will take place Aug.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wood- Dead & Company, 16-18 in Watkins Glen, New
stock co-founder Michael Chance the Rapper, Imag- York, about 115 miles (185
Lang says the wait is almost ine Dragons, the Killers, kilometers) northwest of the
over regarding performers Gary Clark Jr. and others original site. Artists will per-
for Woodstock 50, despite will perform at Woodstock form on three main stages
media reports claiming 50. The event is separate at Watkins Glen Interna-
Jay-Z, Black Keys and oth- from an anniversary con- tional racetrack in the Fin-
ers will perform at the event cert planned at the site of ger Lakes. The original con-
in August. the original festival in 1969. cert was held on a farm
“We are thrilled with all the In an interview Thursday in Bethel, New York that is
excitement about Wood- with The Associated Press now run as an attraction
stock 50, but we have an when asked if Imagine by The Bethel Woods Cen-
obligation to our fans, artists Dragons would perform at ter for the Arts. The venue
and partners to do things In this Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, file photo, Michael Lang Woodstock 50, bandlead- plans its own anniversary
the right way,” Lang said speaks during a tour at the former Zena Elementary School in er Dan Reynolds said: “I event Aug. 16-18.
in a statement to The As- Woodstock, N.Y. don’t think that’s been an- More than 400,000 peo-
sociated Press on Thursday. Associated Press nounced yet, but I can tell ple attended the Wood-
“We are in the final stages once-in-a-lifetime event. on-sale soon, stay tuned!” you that we have been in stock Music and Arts Fair,
of laying the groundwork We’ll be officially announc- The original Woodstock talks with them.” More than which was held Aug. 15-17,
and can’t wait to stage this ing the lineup and ticket concert took place in 1969. 80 artists are expected to 1969.q