18 of Billy Porter's most daring looks

Erica Gonzales at Harper's Bazaar said Porter's embroidered suit and pink cape designed by Randi Rahm "changed my life."

In 2019, Porter told Insider he'd intended to make a huge splash at the event.

"The Golden Globes was the first really mainstream red carpet I had been to," he told Insider's Anneta Konstantinides. "I had gone to a lot of them in my life, but not on that level. Going in I had 'Pose' behind me and just a reason to be there where people would actually be paying attention."

The outfit ended up being a "springboard and launching pad for a very spectacular year," he added.

"I'm wearing hints of red, white, and blue because I'm an American. And this is what we look like," Porter tweeted that night.

Porter described the outfit by Francis Libiran as "matador realness" on his Instagram.

"Billy Porter uses fashion as a way to make political statements, and the actor's interest in the intersection between activism and art was made most clear when he showed up to the 2019 Oscars in a head-turning tuxedo gown," Variety wrote in 2019.

Christian Allaire at Vogue said Porter's Ancient Egypt-inspired look was "the most fabulous entrance in Met Gala history."

According to Elle, the bodysuit was designed by The Blonds. He also wore custom gold shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Although it may look like an outrageous outfit, Porter's dress was a statement on women's reproductive rights. Celestino Couture designed the outfit, which subtly featured the shape of a uterus.

The Michael Kors suit was oversized and featured a large hat and tie.

When he won the Emmy for his role as Pray Tell in "Pose," he became the first openly gay Black man to win the lead actor in a drama category.

Insider's Daniel Boan wrote in 2019 that the sheer red gown proved Porter is "the reigning king of the red carpet."

The Alex Vinash suit featured a long, feathered train that could zip off.

His turquoise, sequined jumpsuit was designed by Scott Studenberg, but it was the hat that really shocked people. A curtain of silver fringe hung from the brim of the hat, shielding the actor. But the curtain was also motorized, so it opened to reveal his face, too.

According to Porter's stylist, Sam Ratelle, the dress was inspired by Kensington Palace.

The dress was designed by Christian Siriano, but the purse Porter wore, which read "F--- U, Pay Me," was the real standout.

Even though the floral dress was shapeless, Porter's outfit still looked great, especially when paired with that hat.

Hogan McLaughlin designed the silk jumpsuit, while Porter had hand-painted butterflies on his arms and shoulders. The butterflies represented "being released from the bondage of masculinity and flying free," the actor wrote on Instagram.

Porter wore a simple all-black look, but it was supposed to be so much more.

"We got the wings," Porter told People on the carpet. "It was supposed to go all the way to the floor, but it didn't work out."

The look was crafted by a new designer known as threeASFOUR.

Mohamed Benchellal, who is known for upcycling, designed the black and white ensemble.

The Robert Wun gown relies on pleating and clashing colors to make a bold look.