Billy Porter says his Grammy mechanical hat look was inspired by Billie Eilish's Gucci veil from the AMAs
Theater performer, activist, actor and singer Billy Porter was on last night's (April 28) episode of 'The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon'.
Nothing is dulling his shine, even during these times and Porter has managed to stay highly productive in self-isolation. He revealed that he's up as early as 5 am every morning and makes use of the next five hours writing his memoir. About that, Fallon asked if during the writing process he ever ponders upon a certain incident and goes "that is a story I shouldn't tell". Porter was quick to reply that is not the case with him and that he said he's "telling all my s**t."
Apart from the memoir, he's also working on a children's book, a Broadway musical and he's also focusing on his musical career. All in all, he mentioned that he's "staying creative."
Porter is known for bringing the house down with his red carpet looks and Fallon didn't shy away from dispensing some man to man compliments. He admitted that he's a very big fan of Porter's red carpet looks and opined that Porter is "owning" and "crushing" with his red carpet game. Porter mentioned that he's trying to take a break and learn how to breathe. He admitted to be indulging in some self-care and "figure out what balance looks like."
Jimmy chimed in saying that they cannot lose the "creative Billy Porter that everyone loves" and they absolutely "cannot lose the mechanical hat". Fallon was referring to Billy's look from the 62nd Grammy Awards and admitted that the mechanical hat look was his favorite.
Credit where due, Porter named singer Billie Eilish as the inspiration behind his iconic look. He mentioned that he was right behind the singer at the American Music Awards red carpet and he spotted her wearing a Gucci veil which he found "very cute". However, he also admitted thinking at that point "but I am not wearing something that covers my face, I have waited too long for this moment". That is when his stylist stepped in with "what if the veil opens and closes electronically" and the rest as we know is history.
Porter just recently released a cover version of Buffalo Springfield's 1966 song 'For What It's Worth'. The song was interpreted as an anti-war anthem and speaking about it he said that as an artist he "wanted to do something with the new platform that I have to ignite change."
"To ignite a fire so that we get out to vote. This is an election year. We have lived the past 3+ years of terror and it's time for it to be over." he added.
"I grew up with protest music. I am first generation post-civil rights then coming out as gay and being on the front line during the AIDS crisis, activism is in my DNA and I wanted to make sure I was showing up in that way. That is what this song is all about. The message is, its time for a change, change for good and get out to vote to make that happen."