Billy Porter gives health update after near-death sepsis battle and coma

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Billy Porter is reflecting on his return to the spotlight nearly a year after a minor infection developed into a terrifying sepsis ordeal that left him in a coma.

The 56-year-old actor opened up about his recovery and renewed outlook while attending Christian Siriano’s NYFW show on September 10. Porter had also previously discussed his absence from the Met Gala, revealing that he has not been invited since his 2019 appearance.

Billy Porter reflects on sepsis recovery and NYFW return

Porter told E! News’ Keltie Knight that he spent three days on his death bed in a coma while on an ECMO machine. “Coming out of that, I’m a whole new person. I feel like I was always on the right path but even more so now,” he said.

Porter, who sat front row alongside Brandy, Evan Rachel Wood and Tiffany Haddish, said the experience had made him more grounded in how he approaches life and the things he believes in.

The actor also described the support he received during his year of recovery as “overwhelming,” saying messages from strangers around the world offering prayers, goodwill and wishes for his recovery reminded him of “the humanity of the human spirit.”

Porter added that the experience had been inspiring amid the “horrible things” happening in the world, saying, “love does conquer evil. It really, really does.”

Porter was thrilled to return to NYFW for Siriano’s Spring 2027 show, wearing a grand pink checkered coat created by Siriano and sparkly Christian Louboutin heeled boots.

He revealed that Siriano encouraged him to “show the leg.”

Porter then displayed a massive scar running from his calf to his thigh, explaining that he had suffered compartment syndrome and required an emergency fasciotomy to save his leg. “And I’m back in my pumps, I have legs for days and I’m back in the pump,” he said.

Billy Porter addresses Met Gala absence and 2019 return

Porter previously revealed that he would not attend the 2026 Met Gala because he had not been invited back since his only appearance in 2019.

During an April 22 appearance on SiriusXM’s 'Bevelations,' he said he was invited that year by Ryan Murphy.

Porter also pointed to last year’s event, which featured the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, saying, “Last year was Black dandyism and I was not invited.”

Porter said he does not go to places where he is not welcome but stressed that he is “all good” and has reached a point where he does not need outside validation. “I’ve earned the invitation and it’s OK that I don’t have it because there’s a level that I’ve reached that doesn’t require validation from the outside,” he said.

His 2024 Met Gala absence came after the death of his mother. Porter told E! News that he needed to take care of himself, adding, “daddy’s tired” and “I can’t do everything.”

Porter’s only Met Gala appearance came in 2019 for the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme. He arrived dressed as an Egyptian god in an all-gold outfit with wings and a chain headdress, carried on a cushioned platform by six shirtless men wearing matching gold pants.