True performers never phone it in, and Billy Porter proved that point again and again during his Wednesday night talk with Fern Mallis at 92Y.

Never mind that his second stop of the night would be a Carnegie Hall performance with Idina Menzel, the “Pose” star didn’t hold back in detailing the arcs and pitfalls of his life. While many in the audience applauded Porter for his 2013 Tony-winning role in “Kinky Boots,” the 50-year-old actor, singer and barrier breaker’s fame took years of exertion and rejection. Like his delivery, the Emmy-winning actor’s ensemble – a custom black-and-gold sequined double-crepe-sablé cape with feather embroidery from Michael Kors Collection – was commanding.