Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have gone their separate ways. The news was confirmed by Simon Halls, a spokesperson for Porter, to People.
“I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years,” Halls said.
“The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter,” added Halls.
“There will be no further comment from either parties and it would be appreciated if their privacy be respected.”
Porter has not made any comment on his social media.
How they met
Porter and Smith met at a dinner party in 2009 after the latter moved from Los Angeles to New York City. They dated casually for about a year before deciding to split. However, in 2015, they were drawn back together and decided to give things another go.
“It had been marinating within me, my love for him and figuring it out and coming to terms with it, over the years,” Smith explained to People in 2017. “So I knew that it was on me if I wanted to ever change anything; I would have to be the first one to approach the subject.”
The pair decided to get back together on Porter’s 46th birthday, after dinner following one of his performances in Hamilton. They married on January 14, 2017. They were keen to do so before Donald Trump was sworn into office.
Smith studied at the theatre at the California Institute of the Arts. He graduated in 2003. However, rather than pursue a theatrical career, he almost immediately went into retail and found himself rising in the world of luxury eyewear. He launched his own swimwear brand, The Smith Society, in 2021.
In February of this year, Porter paid a sweet birthday tribute to Smith on Instagram. He said, “Happy Birthday to my beautiful husband. I am so grateful to have you by my side on our journey together. You are my rock and my light. I am so proud of you and love watching the way your mind works and your dedication to pursuing your dreams.”
Life imitating art
Porter has been a Broadway stalwart for many years. He found wider fame on the hit TV show Pose. His most recent role is in the indie drama, Our Son. In it, he and Luke Evans play a divorcing couple fighting over custody of their child. It was announced earlier this year that he is set to play the role of James Baldwin in a biopic of the famed, gay writer.
Related:
Billy Porter’s birthday tribute to his husband Adam is #RelationshipGoals
Smith and Porter dates for a year in 2009, split, and then got back together in 2015.
Billy Porter lands a major dramatic role playing a beloved gay icon
Do you see Porter in this role?
jackscott
It must have been difficult to be married to Billy. He seems to be full of himself.
KissBananaPeels
Whomever is married to you cheats and/or demands an open relationship
monty clift
@jackscott, Since Billy seems to enjoy displaying his delusions of grandeur for the public, one can only imagine how insufferable he is behind closed doors.
Paulie P
Guessing the bus was watching tv one day and said why the f is this guy everywhere screaming and screeching and thinking wtf did i do.
KissBananaPeels
that is the same thing your father thought of your mother but here you are
Bonerboy
Huh? Billy Porter was never in Hamilton….!
DMos
Yeah, where the hell did the author of this article get THAT idea? He’s never even been discussed about joining for a role in Hamilton.
Pietro D
I was scratching my head over that one as well……. There’s “nfw” Porter was in Hamilton and “nfw” Lin Manuel Miranda would ever have wanted him in his musical… He was too old, to boot! Hamilton had (has) a very young cast
Kangol2
Seems to be divorce season among some of the LGBTQ stars. Maybe Billy and Ricky might kindle a romance….
Hahahaha!
SoloMcDaniel
Saw Billy in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend and he was looking a bit haggard. Maybe he was trying to fit in with the IML crowd but he definitely looked like he needed some rest.
Max
all those damned Christian Siriano suit-dresses taking up what was previously 50/50 closet space. grounds for divorce for sure IMHO. glitter be gone!
Just.my.opinion
I cannot even imagine how horrible it would be to know Billy Porter, let alone be married to him.
Brian
At least he’s the rich and successful one. The other guy is probably grateful for the pre-nup (if there was one) because his two-year old swimwear business is practically nothing. He’s done nothing since graduating 20 years ago — yikes!
Tombear
Was Billy Porter ever in Hamilton? Kinky Boots yes, but Hamilton?