If we stick to the photos and videos, 31-year-old German-born pop star Kim Petras, currently in Los Angeles, might come across as your run-of-the-mill Californian: blond, beautiful, a fan of micro skirts, bubblegum makeup, and always smiling. But the journey of the singer-songwriter from Cologne is far more complex than her aesthetic as a sexy, sweet doll.
From the age of 2, Kim Petras, who was assigned male at birth, began to assert herself as female. Supported by her parents (a jazz singer-dancer mother and a multi-instrumentalist father), she started wearing gender-neutral clothing before meeting a specialist in childhood and transgender identity at the University Hospital in Frankfurt. At the age of 13, she appeared on television to discuss her transition, and at 16, she became the youngest person (according to many media sources) to undergo transition surgery. She openly shares her experience to raise awareness about transgender issues, but faces mockery, insults, and harassment at school. Kim Petras isolates herself and finds solace in music, which offers a joyful escape from her struggles.
As a teenager, Kim Petras finds refuge in music, stating that pop literally saved her life. Songs by Katy Perry, Cher, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, and the Spice Girls help her forget her troubles, while those by Boy George, Queen, and Judy Garland make her feel less alone. Soon, she begins composing her own music using GarageBand software. Starting for herself and then for others, she arrives in Los Angeles at the age of 19, full of dreams, with few connections and little money. Despite a song she composed being chosen by Fergie but not released, she makes a name for herself and perseveres, developing her dance-pop over the years. She has released EPs, mixtapes, energetic singles, and albums, and has collaborated with Paris Hilton, Charli XCX, and Sophie, establishing herself as a rising star under her self-owned label.
Her hit collaboration with Sam Smith, “Unholy,” has been viewed 190 million times as of 2022 and resulted in Kim Petras becoming the first openly transgender person to top the charts in the United States and win a Grammy Award in February 2023. Successful singles with Nicki Minaj and Paris Hilton have followed, and after the release of her ambitious third album, “Feed the Beast,” in June 2023, she had just released the EP “Slut Pop Miami.” In February 2024, she will be performing at the Olympia in Paris. Having met her in London, Kim Petras is determined to not only change the music industry but also the world.
In an interview, Kim Petras acknowledges being the first openly transgender woman to win a Grammy Award and emphasizes the impact of her collaboration with Sam Smith on her life. While she acknowledges progress in shifting attitudes, she also notes ongoing challenges and wants to be a voice for transgender individuals as an artist who has made it onto the mainstream stage. She aims to be a driving force for a world where everyone can be their true selves without facing judgment.
Kim Petras hopes to inspire change and promote equality, urging people to confront and overcome their prejudices. With her openness about her transgender identity, she aims to contribute to the world’s evolution so everyone can achieve their potential without discrimination.
This response is a testament to Kim Petras’ determination to advocate for equality and acceptance while pursuing her music career..
