By Zoe Papadakis
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Billy Porter has shared that he is recovering after a life-threatening battle with urosepsis that left him hospitalized for weeks this fall and forced him to exit Broadway’s “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” before its scheduled closing.
The Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winner revealed the update in an Instagram video posted Wednesday, stating he was diagnosed with urosepsis and has spent the past four months navigating a difficult recovery process.
“Some of you may or may not know that I was in the hospital very ill this fall with urosepsis,” he said. “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.”
Porter became visibly emotional as he thanked supporters for their messages and encouragement throughout his illness. “I wanted to thank everybody for your prayers and your love and sending me all the vibes. I felt every single one of them,” he said. “And I know that I’m alive today because of my fans.”
The health crisis was first disclosed in early September when “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” producer Adam Speers announced Porter would step away from the Broadway revival due to a serious case of sepsis. The production, originally scheduled to run through October 19, ended its run on September 21.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the painful decision to end our Broadway run on September 21,” Speers stated in a prior announcement.
Following Porter’s departure, alternates Marty Lauter and David Merino took over the role of Emcee for the remainder of the engagement.
Before leaving the production, Porter described his interpretation of the character as deeply personal, drawing from his experiences as a Black man. “For my character, he flees the Jim Crow South to go to Europe, thinking he’s going to be safe, only to find there’s no safety there or anywhere,” Porter told Broadway Direct earlier this year.
Porter also reflected fondly on his time in London, where he made his West End debut: “Making my West End debut was magical. I’m so grateful that I’m getting to do something that’s so important right now.”
In the caption accompanying his post, Porter wrote, “She’s ALIVE!!! Proof of life, PTL!!!”
