Billy Porter is rarely at a loss for words. Whether he's making the rounds on the morning shows, midday chat fests or late-night TV, Porter commands the interviews.
But on a sunny afternoon in late summer on the Pittsburgh set of his upcoming feature film, tentatively titled, "Anything's Possible," (formerly titled, "What If?") Porter was silent in the company of his "family," fellow alumni from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama. Porter, a 1991 graduate, listened and became emotional as Renee Elise Goldsberry, who graduated in 1993, recounted her classmate's rise to fame — and all the setbacks along the way. Goldsberry, who currently stars in Peacock's "Girls5eva" and won a 2016 Tony Award for her role as Angelica Schuyler in "Hamilton," remembered her friend's challenges.
"This is a light for me," she said, gesturing toward Porter and referring to his directorial film debut. "For so many years, so many of us knew his talents, knew his greatness, and we watched his work go unappreciated."
She said she followed his career, the good times and the bad. Even when he was doing "amazing things," his frustration at not being lauded for his efforts became her shared frustration.
"I couldn't understand why no one was giving him his due, but he never got discouraged. Other people who didn't gain critical success became bitter or gave up altogether," she said. "Billy, though, Billy just persevered. He kept humbling himself. 'OK, you want me to sing? I'll sing.' 'OK you want me to write, I'll write.' 'OK, you want me to direct, I'll direct.' Finally, people took notice. Finally! That's why seeing this Billy Porter with this success is so rewarding."