Billy Porter: The Answer is No

Billy Porter: The Answer is No

From Outlaws with TS Madison by iHeartPodcast

March 3, 2026 · 55 min · Season 1 · Episode 41

About this episode

Billy Porter joins TS Madison to discuss his career, personal experiences, and the challenges artists face today.

The AUNTIE is HERE!!! Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to the one and only, multihyphenate, international sensation, MC extraordinaire, Billy Porter! Billy Porter is no stranger to shattering glass ceilings, and it took work to get there. A fateful screening of “The Wiz” plus a love for music lead him to find his calling in musical theatre, and a now critically acclaimed career from “Kinky Boots” and “Pose” to making history on London’s West End. It wasn’t always easy– Billy opens up about traumatic childhood experiences, and how those experiences shaped the man he is today.  And he’s still fighting strong! Billy talks making art and living out his dreams despite whatever roadblocks life throws his way– including a near death experience from sepsis last fall. Also: Billy and Maddie get into keeping it real vs. taking the PR route; when kikiing gets taken out of context; why artists need better labor protections; and surviving the political reality of the past 10 years.  Plus…we see you in the comments asking for longer episodes. We’re excited to announce our brand new Patreon exclusive…

People in this episode

Host: TS Madison

Guest: Billy Porter

Topics covered

  • musical theatre
  • artistic expression
  • childhood trauma
  • labor protections
  • political reality

Keywords

  • Billy Porter
  • musical theatre
  • Kinky Boots
  • Pose
  • childhood trauma
  • labor protections
  • politics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Outspoken Network, iHeartPodcasts

Books & works: Kinky Boots, Pose, The Wiz

Places: London

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