Billy Porter Gives Update on 'Very Challenging' Health Problems

It’s been a difficult few months for Billy Porter after being diagnosed with sepsis and spending time in the hospital.

In September, the actor and singer withdrew from a Broadway production of “Cabaret” because he contracted urosepsis, a potentially life-threatening urinary tract infection (UTI).

Porter, 56, spent time in the hospital. But in a video statement posted to Instagram on Monday, Dec. 22, the Emmy and Tony winner said he is “on the road to a full recovery.”

“I’m here first and foremost to say happy holidays, Merry Christmas, happy Kwanzaa, happy Hanukkah, and everything in between. So some of you may or may not know that I was in the hospital very ill this fall with urosepsis,” Porter began.

“It was not easy. It’s been a very, very challenging four months. And I want everybody to know that I am on the road to a full recovery. I’m not there yet, but I’m on the road to that,” he continued.

The Pose star fought back tears and thanked fans for their well-wishes.

“I wanted to thank everybody for your prayers, and your love, and sending me all the vibes. I felt every single one of them. And I know that I’m alive today because of my fans,” he said.

He captioned the post: “She’s ALIVE!!! Proof of life, PTL!!! Thank you all [for] prayers and healing energy! Merry Christmas one and all!”

Porter also shared a teaser for his new Amazon film, Christmas Karma. Inspired by The Christmas Carol, the movie musical co-stars Kunal Nayyar and Eva Longoria, and is streaming on Prime Video.

Porter will next star in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the sixth installment of the Hunger Games franchise.

In April 2025, Lionsgate announced the prequel film will star Joseph Zada as Haymitch, and Whitney Peak as his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters in November 2026.