Kim Petras has been making music for more than a decade.
Songs such as “I Don’t Want it at All” and “Heart to Break” have earned kudos from club kids, pop music devotees and the gay community that reveres Petras, who has been openly trans since she was 16.
But in the past year, the German pop singer/songwriter has catapulted into the mainstream, scooping up accolades from Variety (Innovator of the Year), Billboard’s Women in Music (Chartbreaker) and, most prominently, her first Grammy Award.
Petras, 30, and longtime friend Sam Smith earned the trophy in the best pop duo/group performance category for their deliciously seedy smash “Unholy,” making Petras the first trans person to win in that category.
Now, as fans hyperventilate over every morsel about a new album (coming soon, she promises), Petras is teasing them with “Alone,” her sassy new single with hip-hop goddess Nicki Minaj, whom she finally met while shooting the video for the club banger.
Checking in from her home in Los Angeles, Petras chatted about her adoration of Minaj, being a voice for the marginalized and how meeting Madonna was “one of the most iconic moments” of her life.
Question: You’ve been very public about wanting to work with Nicki Minaj, so do you feel like you manifested this collaboration into being?
Petras: Maybe! I’m a Barbz (the nickname for Minaj’s fans). I think I’ve tried to write songs for Nicki since I started getting good at writing. It’s always been a big dream. She’s so inspirational as a lyricist, and she constantly pushes herself and always drops the freshest (music).
Alone” samples Alice Deejay’s 1999 Euro-thumper “Better Off Alone.” What significance does that song hold for you?
If you grow up in Europe, it’s a classic song that plays (in the clubs) at the end of the night. I’ve had a lot of moments to that song in clubs – good ones, bad ones. (Laughs.) Every time I hear that song it does something to me.
Before the clubs, whom did you listen to growing up?
My mom is into jazz, so a lot of Billie Holiday. My dad is into free jazz, so it was a very jazzy family. But for me, Madonna, Britney (Spears), Michael Jackson, The Spice Girls. I loved dance music. Once I found pop, I wanted to become someone who could write really good pop songs. I found what I’m good at. I really suck at everything else. (Laughs.) Performing and writing songs is my talent. Everything else … I’m just OK.
You’ve been making music and on the charts for more than a decade, but I think a lot of people were introduced to you through “Unholy” and your Grammy acceptance speech. How did those things affect your career?
It was a huge honor to sing with Sam (Smith). They were so genuine and wanted to make a song together, and I can’t thank them enough. I’m so grateful for the Grammy and the moment they allowed us to have. That means a lot to my fans who were watching. That someone can win who is not necessarily a candidate people think can win at life. So many people doubted me ever winning in general. Like, who is going to listen to your songs? And only gay clubs? There was so much doubt on me and what my music could do because I’m trans and open about it.
Do you feel pressure being such a prominent voice for marginalized communities?
I think being a voice is about being authentic. I don’t put it on thick. I feel what I feel in the moment and go with my intuitions. I’m not someone who likes to speak; I like to sing. I’m not good at speeches. The way I express myself is through music, and that’s exactly what I should be doing. I want to tell people that you define your life and you make sure you’re happy with your life. I feel especially now so many people have an opinion about being trans who are not trans (themselves). Don’t mind them. Everyone should have the right to live their life.
