The Grammy-winning trans pop singer has made history many times over.
In her mind, she’s just getting started.
“I’ve seen how brutal people can be about your body and your appearance.
Kim Petras.Luke Gilford
I wasn’t sure I could handle that.”
Last fall, she found out.
As if on cue, her breakthrough sparked an avalanche of misgendering taunts.
Kim Petras.Luke Gilford
I got that from literally everywhere," Petras says.
“I used to think, ‘Why do I need that?
I sell out tours and play gay clubs,'” Petras says.
“But the fact is, Idowant to be a main player.
I feel like I’m finally ready to play in the main arena.”
With “Unholy,” she also becamethe first trans artist on a No.
1 on the streaming service’s Global Viral 50 chart.
Even in our initial meeting in 2018, she exuded a surprising confidence.
I always had this belief."
At the same time, she admits her conviction is part bluster.
“I have a lot of self-doubt too,” she says.
“I overcompensate by proving to myself that I can achieve things.”
In 2014, Keshaaccused the producer, born Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, of sexual abuse.
To her, music is all about uplift.
“It’s extremely hard to make a fun song,” she says.
“you oughta know exactly what to strip back and what to add.”
If that approach results in songs that some might not consider wildly deep, so be it.
For that project, she adopted a full-on, unhinged persona.
“It was someone who would say whatever the f— she wanted to.”
She had more serious inspiration as well.
“That was at a time when OnlyFans was going to ban sex workers,” Petras says.
“I have a lot of friends who need sex work so you can transition.
I wanted those girls to feel empowered.”
“Sam was like, ‘I’ve done it, babes,'” she says.
“I think they saw that unless I’m singing, I’m a shy person.
They wanted me to push myself.”
“She told me that I am the future.
I miss having that kind of support.”
That reaction steams the singer.
“It makes me really scared for every other person’s future in entertainment,” Petras says.
“It’s such a double standard.
He’s never gonna change.’
“I’m extremely alarmed by it,” she says.
It’s scary for all of us who just want to live a normal life.”
At 12, she was among the first to receive hormone therapy paid for by German health care.
“Every person is different and needs different things,” she said.
“There isn’t a specific way to be trans.
Along with her use of hormones, she credits the unwavering support of her parents as a lifesaver.
Even when she was very young, her family let her dress how she wanted at home.
Those hyper-feminine outfits became a refuge from the days she had to present as a boy at school.
High-end fashion gave her even more power.
The lyric has proven to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
She sees it as another sign of how far she’s come.
“I’m focused.
And I’m ready.”
Feed the Beastis out today.
Petras’ just-announcedFeed the BeastWorld Tourkicks off Aug. 4.
Watch the video for it below.
