Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter
(Format used for this read: Audiobook)
My very last book review of 2021…
And OHHHHHHH what a BOOK to finish the year with, yall.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
When I tell yall this book GRIPPED ME from the second it began…..it did NOT let go for ONE SECOND during the ENTIRE read.
Let me be clear that before I read this book I already loved and adored Billy Porter.
He is a FORCE of a human being.
If you don’t know who he is at all, I’m gonna need you RIGHT NOW to go sit your ass down on your couch, turn on Netflix and binge watch the past seasons of the show “Pose”.
It is a PERFECT New Years Eve activity.
One you will not regret…and one that will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Because you will bask in the glory that IS Billy Porter in all his fabulous, talented REALNESS.
(You will also bask in the glory of a bunch of other GLORIOUSLY talented and beautiful actors/actresses too….)
So GO WATCH.
You’ll thank me later.
Anyway….
I love me some Billy Porter.
I love him because he is so UNIQUE and so HIMSELF.
And LAWWWWDDDD is he talented.
He sings.
He acts.
He dances.
He writes.
He directs.
He produces.
He is an artist EXTRAORDINAIRE.
He is a TRAILBLAZER.
This book is his story as he wants it told….
Yall, POWERFUL is the only appropriate word I can use to properly describe it.
Here is the official summary:
“It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, director, and all-around legend, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn’t fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to “fix” his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle.
Billy Porter’s Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amidst deep trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice.”
This is a book you should listen to in audio form if you have the chance….a BAGILLION percent listen to it over reading it in print.
TRUST.
Mr. Porter reads it himself and he does so with so much ferocity, emotion and vulnerability….it is a treasure, delight, privilege and honor to hear him tell his story.
You hear him speak about so many aspects of his life and he does so with raw honesty….he talks about race, religion, sexuality, art, love, loss, oppression, success, heartbreak and healing.
You will also learn about the ins and outs and ups and downs of show business–both in the theater world and tv/film world.
Talk about eye opening on about a hundred different levels.
Before reading this, I already thought this man was a force of strength, fierceness, talent and power.
LISSSTTEEENNNNNNN……
I had NO IDEA THE DEPTHS OF IT ALL.
This miraculous human being discovered his talents early in life…and he owned them, tended to them, nurtured them, never gave up on them, fought for them, and WORKED THE EVER LOVING SHIT OUT OF THEM.
So many people did not believe in him…so many things in the world stood in his way of being himself….
And there were so many times he almost let that all overtake him.
BUT HE HELD ON.
There are not many people on this planet who are blessed with multiple layers of tremendous talent…and there are even LESS people who have that fire within that pushes them to constantly work to refine that talent…who keep pushing and working and striving and sweating to accomplish their goals and attain their dreams.
Billy Porter HAS IT, yall.
He kept on reaching and working his ENTIRE LIFE…..
Thru exhaustion.
Thru pain.
Thru abuse.
Thru obstacle after obstacle.
Thru rejection after rejection.
Thru injuiries.
Thru mistakes.
Thru struggles.
Thru criticism.
Yall, this man KEPT GOING AND GOING AND GOING.
And he has not stopped.
Billy Porter is not just a multi faceted tremendous entertainer, but he is also a world changing activist who ALWAYS ALWAYS is working to care for humanity and make this world a better and more welcoming place for ALL.
And damn…. am I impressed by how he NEVER takes ANY shit from anyone. He ALWAYS stands up for himself and ALWAYS speaks up for what is right.
The heart this man has is literally OVERFLOWING with love…and his brain is OVERFLOWING with ideas and creativity.
He shares not only of his journey to professional success, but also of his journey to personal healing.
I can not imagine it was an easy thing to do AT ALL…to just be completely vulnerable and real and honest about ALL the parts of EVERYTHING in his life…I admire his bravery SO VERY MUCH.
You will feel all the feels as he tells you about his pain, his heartbreak, his struggles, his joys, his successes, his celebrations….
You will cry and smile and frown and be angry and frustrated and excited.
And yall will LAUGH because this man is also HILARIOUS too.
(He also sings a little bit on this audio version BE SURE to add that to the reasons why you need to listen to this one!)
Everyone–no matter who you are or where you’re from or what you do—could learn some things from Billy Porter.
He has for real touched my life in SUCH a big and positive way. He’s opened my eyes and ears and heart….and I am so thankful he shares his amazingness with the world.
I know he has made such a positive impact in so many places and with so many people already….and will continue to do so for YEARS to come.
Thank you Billy Porter for being one of the best human beings on this planet…it was such an honor and joy to finish my year with you. 💗