Billy Porter's Wild Summer: New Makeup Empire and His Shocking Role in Cabaret Revealed
Billy Porter is making sure summer 2025 belongs to him, and he's doing it in heels, lipstick, and full showbiz glory. From launching his own makeup empire to stepping into the most iconic role on Broadway, this queer superstar is proving there's nothing he can't turn fierce.
Porter kicked off July with the launch of Black Mona Lisa Beauty, his brand-new genderless makeup and skincare line. The name isn't random—fans will recognize it from his hit 2023 album. Now, it's the banner for his beauty revolution.
With prices starting at just $9.99, the collection includes everything from eye shimmers to serums, all designed to help people "play" with their look, regardless of gender identity or experience with makeup. What's next? He's teasing fashion, shoes, and even cookware. Yes, cookware.
But Billy isn't stopping there. In a full-circle moment, he's also taking over Broadway's Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, stepping into the role of the Emcee this July. For Porter, it's a long-overdue dream come true. He auditioned for the part back in 1998 and lost out. This time, history will be made: he's the first Black actor to headline the role on Broadway, and he's planning to flip the narrative, portraying the Emcee as a Black man fleeing the American South, only to land in Europe's own dark chapter. His 13-week run promises to be one of the most talked-about Broadway moments of the year.
He is already a Broadway darling, known for his Tony-winning turn in Kinky Boots and his Emmy Award-winning role in Pose, brings charisma, depth, and unapologetic style to the iconic character. His arrival comes after Orville Peck and Eva Noblezada concluded their celebrated run on July 20. Now, Porter's performance will lead Cabaret through its final 13 weeks, wrapping up in October 2025.
In recent interviews, Porter has called playing the Emcee a dream role, saying it allows him to blend his musical theater roots with his unique voice as a queer Black artist. His take on the Emcee is seductive and chaotic, and deeply personal. For Porter, the character's boundary-breaking spirit resonates with his own career of challenging norms and telling untold stories.
The production itself has become a must-see for Broadway fans. With provocative choreography, decadent set design, and an atmosphere that feels more Berlin nightclub than traditional musical theater, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has redefined what a Broadway revival can be. Now, with Porter's voice guiding the audience, the production's themes of identity, freedom, and societal collapse feel more urgent than ever.
Tickets for Porter's performances are selling quickly, especially since his appearance will be limited to specific dates between July and October. Fans and theater critics alike are anticipating what many are calling a career-defining turn for the star. For Porter, it's a full-circle moment—returning to Broadway, not just to perform, but to redefine an iconic role on his own terms.
