The 56-year-old performer, celebrated for his Tony- and Grammy-winning work in Kinky Boots and his Emmy-winning role in Pose, made a memorable debut at the fashion event in 2019. Embracing the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme, he arrived in a striking gold look inspired by ancient Egypt, even being carried in by a group of shirtless men in a theatrical, Cleopatra-style entrance.
While the moment became one of the night’s most talked-about highlights, Porter says that was also his last appearance. Speaking on SiriusXM’s Revelations, he revealed he hasn’t been invited back since that year.
He explained that although he attended in 2019 thanks to an invitation from producer Ryan Murphy, he’s since been excluded—something he addressed candidly. Referencing last year’s focus on Black fashion and dandyism, he pointedly noted the absence of an invite, adding that he chooses not to go where he isn’t welcomed.
Still, Porter made it clear he’s at peace with the situation, emphasizing that he doesn’t rely on outside validation and prefers to stay grounded in that mindset. “I’ve earned it,” he said of the invitation, while also insisting he’s content moving forward without it.
The 2026 Met Gala is set for May 4, with a theme centered on “Costume Art” and a dress code of “Fashion is Art.” The event will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, and is expected to showcase a new exhibition focused on the dressed human form.
Porter’s comments come shortly after he opened up about a life-threatening health scare. What began as a routine procedure to remove a kidney stone quickly escalated when doctors discovered a severe infection, leading to urosepsis. His condition became critical—he was placed on life support, including an ECMO machine, and put into a coma for several days.
He later revealed that complications required emergency procedures on his legs to prevent permanent damage. Despite the ordeal, Porter made a full recovery and described surviving the experience as nothing short of miraculous.
The near-death episode has profoundly shifted his outlook. Reflecting on his time in the hospital, he said it pushed him to live more intentionally, trust his instincts, and remain truthful in both his personal life and career.
Porter has also previously spoken about living with HIV since 2007, sharing that revealing his diagnosis publicly was ultimately a powerful and healing step after years of keeping it private.
