Audiences at Manchester Pride were left disappointed on Saturday night when headline act Billy Porter dropped out of a headline appearance at the festival.
The Pose star pulled out at the last minute due to illness. He’s currently appearing the West End production of Cabaret having preformed the role on Broadway earlier this year.
Porter had been scheduled to perform a show as his alter-ego Black Mona Lisa as featured on his 2023 album.
Organisers were only able to release a statement shortly before Porter had been scheduled to appear.
“We’re sad to share that Billy Porter will no longer be able to perform at Mardi Gras today due to illness. We know many of you were looking forward to their set as we were. Get well soon Billy, love from the Manchester Pride Team.” they said.
There’s been no explanation of what ailment sidelined the star.
Little Mix member Leigh-Ann Pinnock who was also on the bill took over Porter’s headline spot.
Porter is known for his multi-faceted career across fashion, stage, screen and recording. He originated the role of Lola in the musical Kinky Boots which won his the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
He played the role of Pray Tell across three seasons of Pose which saw him nominated for both Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. He’s also found success as a producer on Broadway with the musical A Strange Loop, and as a recording artist.
In 2022 he made his directorial debut with the film Anything is Possible. Soon Porter will be seen in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
