Kim Petras

Biography

Kim Petras, born on August 27, 1992, in Cologne, Germany, is a singer and songwriter who has become a significant figure in the pop music scene. From a young age, Petras knew she was a girl and began her gender transition in her early teenage years, undergoing gender confirmation surgery at 16 with her parents' support. Growing up, she found solace and inspiration in pop music, citing artists like Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, and Gwen Stefani as major influences. This passion for pop led her to start writing songs at 13 and eventually move to Los Angeles at 19 to pursue a music career.

Career Beginnings

Upon arriving in L.A., Petras began building her career from the ground up by performing at open mic nights and collaborating with various writers and producers. She initially gained recognition by writing for other artists, which led to a publishing deal. Between 2016 and 2020, she released music independently under her own label, BunHead Records. Her debut single, "I Don't Want It at All," released in 2017, gained significant traction on Spotify's viral charts. This period, which she refers to as "Era 1," saw the release of a series of singles, including "Heart to Break" and "1, 2, 3 Dayz Up." In 2019, she independently released her first full-length projects, "Clarity" and the Halloween-themed "Turn Off the Light."

Mainstream Breakthrough and "Unholy"

In 2021, Petras signed with Republic Records, marking a new phase in her career. Her major breakthrough came in 2022 with the collaborative single "Unholy" with Sam Smith. The song became a global phenomenon, reaching number one on charts worldwide, including the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. This achievement made Petras the first openly transgender solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100. The success of "Unholy" culminated in a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2023. This historic win made her the first openly transgender artist to win in a major Grammy category. In her acceptance speech, she thanked transgender legends who came before her, her mother for her unwavering support, and the late artist SOPHIE.

Debut Album and Recent Work

Following the success of "Unholy," Petras released her debut studio album, "Feed the Beast," in 2023. The album features the single "Alone" with Nicki Minaj, as well as fan favorites like "Coconuts." She has also released other projects like the "Slut Pop" EP. Petras continues to be a prominent and influential voice in music, known for her unapologetic pop sound and for championing LGBTQ+ rights.