Kim Petras became the first transsexual to win the Grammy for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for “Unholy,” a duet with Sam Smith, at the 65th awards ceremony this morning.
“I am the first transgender woman to win this award,” Kim Petras said onstage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. “I want to thank all the incredible transgender legends, who opened the doors for me so that I could be here,” said the German artist visibly moved.
The song “Unholy,” featured on Sam Smith’s fourth studio album “Gloria,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2022 and was almost immediately considered an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community. It was the crowning achievement for Kim Petras after a decade of trying her hand at the industry.
“I’m thinking of the people who told me I was going to be a niche artist because I’m transgender and my music was only going to be played in gay clubs,” Petras told reporters backstage after receiving the statuette. “People need to be less judgmental and I hope there’s a future where gender identity and all these labels don’t matter as much and people can be who they are.”
The two artists have long been searching for the right formula to make music together, and Sam Smith, who identifies as non-binary, has been one of Kim Petras’ biggest supporters since the beginning of her career.
“This song has been an incredible journey for me,” said Petras, who credits Madonna with part of her success due to “Material Girl’s” historic fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
“I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for Madonna,” Petras said onstage, also thanking his mother for believing he was a girl.
Minutes later it would be Madonna herself presenting the live performance of Kim Petras and Sam Smith, who performed “Unholy” at the ceremony on a stage surrounded by fire.
“Here’s what I’ve learned after four decades in music: If you’re being called shocking, outrageous, disturbing, troublesome, provocative or dangerous, you’re definitely on the right track,” Madonna said.
“I’m here to thank all the rebels who blazed a new trail and took the brunt of it,” he continued. “All agitators should know that their bravery is not invisible. They are seen, heard, and most of all, appreciated.”
Madonna praised what she considered the courage of Kim Petras and Sam Smith, who “overcame the noise and silliness” into something “unholy.”
Later, in the press room, Petras spoke again about Madonna’s influence.
“Madonna is such a provocative and innovative artist that we are both very inspired by her in this performance,” he said. The performance sought to criticize the way religion rejects people like Petras and Smith.
“I grew up curious about the religion and wanting to be a part of it, but little by little I realized that it doesn’t like me,” Petras explained. “The performance was an opinion about not being able to choose one’s religion, not living the way people want us to live,” she said. “As a transgender, I’m not wanted in religion.”
This distinction from the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences also marked a historic night for consecrating Beyoncé as the artist with the most Grammy awards in music history, surpassing maestro Georg Solti.
The 65th Grammy Awards featured comedian Trevor Noah.
Source: TSF
