Get to know Kim Petras: The singer behind 'Unholy' and 'When We Were Young'
'Unholy' was her first Number 1!
Kim Petras is one of the biggest names in music right now! Not only did she team up with Sam Smith on their smash hit 'Unholy', but she's released 'Alone' with Nicki Minaj, and 'Drums' with James Hype, and 'When We Were Young' with David Guetta, along with her album, 'Feed The Beast'.
Here we take a look at all things Kim Petras - including her songs, the inspiration behind songs like 'Malibu', who she worked with and what awards she's won.
Who is Kim Petras?
Kim was born in Germany, but now lives in Los Angeles. Kim had gender confirmation surgery at the age of 16, at the time she is quoted as saying: "I was asked if I feel like a woman now – but the truth is I have always felt like a woman – I just ended up in the wrong body".
Although she started recording music as a teenager, it wasn't until 2017 that she independently released her debut single, 'I Don't Want It at All'. The music video for the track featured a cameo appearance from Paris Hilton. In that year, Kim also appeared on Charli XCX's 'Unlock It'.
Kim then released her debut album 'Clarity' in 2019. 'Clarity' featured 12 songs, all co-written by herself. Following the release of 'Clarity', her second album 'Turn Off the Light' was released in October of the same year.
How old is she?
Born on 27th August 1992, Kim Petras is 32-years-old at the time of writing.
How much is Kim worth?
According to celebritynetworth.com, in 2023, Kim Petras was worth around $4 million.
Kim Petras' new music
Kim's latest release is 'When We Were Young' with David Guetta. The song samples the 1979 song by Supertramp, 'The Logical Song', which was also covered by Scooter in 2001. The music video features Kim standing in water surrounded by a dining table and chairs, a double bed and a dresser.
Kim Petras and James Hype's song 'Drums'
Kim's most recent song is with British DJ James Hype, called 'Drums'. The song features a sample from Justin Timberlake's hit 'Like I Love You', and written as an instrumental back in 2019.
Kim and Sam Smith's song 'Unholy'
Kim and Sam teamed up on their fantastic song 'Unholy'. The collab was released in September 2022 and became a Number 1 hit around the world, breaking several records. In America, the pair became the first publicly non-binary and transgender soloists, respectively to get a #Hot100 Number 1.
The pair released both a lyric and music video for their song, with the music video being directed by Italian-Canadian film director Floria Sigismondi and choreographed by (LA)HORDE.
As well as spending four weeks at the top of the UK charts, Sam and Kim won a Grammy Award for the track as well as performing at the ceremony! In the acceptance speech, Sam stepped back to allow Kim to speak - receiving a standing ovation after announcing she was the first transgender woman to win the award.
Although the pair were nominated for Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards 2023, they lost out to Harry Styles for 'As It Was' but they also performed 'Unholy' in a spectacular show!
Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj - 'Alone'
In April 2023, Kim released her collab with Nicki Minaj called 'Alone'. The song samples the 90s classic dance tune 'Better Off Alone' by Alice Deejay. On the day of release, the pair shared the lyric video, which features Kim in a locker room, and running around a sports pitch.
A music video for the track was later released on 2nd May 2023.
Kim Petras' song 'brrr'
Following the roaring success of 'Unholy', it's no surprise that fans were keen to hear more! Thankfully, Kim didn't leave us hanging too long, releasing a beat-heavy new track called 'brrr' on 20th January 2023.
Sharing cover artwork on her Instagram, Kim wrote: 'brrr is finally out ! I’m so excited for you to hear this . It’s one of the funnest rollouts I’ve done in a while . I miss you all so much and I hope this song gives you a taste of what’s to come this year . I’m so excited to perform it for you soon ! Let me know if you dig it … brrr-ah ❄️'. (sic)
What is the inspiration behind Kim's song 'Malibu'?
Speaking in August 2020 to Downtown Radio's Jordan-Lee, Kim explained that the song was actually written in 2018. Kim told Jordan: "I'm happy I got it out and I'm also kind of happy I got it out during quarantine time, because I feel like it made a lot of people happy and made them forget about their problems."
The singer went on to joke the song is named after both the drink and place! Explaining that before she visited the place she had a vision of what it was like, but in reality it was VERY different.
Who is the guy in Kim's 'Heart to Break' video?
The man in Kim Petras' 'Heart to Break' video is Julio Marcelino, who plays Prince Julio, while she plays the Princess. 'Heart to Break' was released in 2018 and the music video has had more than 19 million views on YouTube to date.
Writing about the song in the YouTube caption, Kim said: ''Heart To Break' was kind of summing up my heartbreak experiences but making a fun song about them. It’s describing the part of you that is about to make a mistake and knows you’re making a mistake, but you don’t care because you still want to jump in and do it.'
What are the lyrics to Kim's song 'Can't Do Better'
'Can't Do Better' was released by Kim in 2018, the song is not included on either of her albums. The lyrics to the song read: 'Do anything to keep you near / Count imperfections in the mirror / No, I can't let you leave / So I kill my insecurities
'Every time she goes through her hair / I feel the tension in the air / No, I can't let you leave / So I kill my insecurities.
Oh, you can't do better / Oh, you can't do better'.
When is Kim Petras next on tour?
Kim's 'Feed The Beast World Tour' took place in February 2024. She also joined Madonna on stage, during Madonna's last date in Miami, in April 2024.
Kim jumped on stage as the Guest Vogue Judge wearing a full Vaquera look styled by Natasha Newman-Thomas and Tarrell Mitchell.
There's currently no future plans for a tour.
What awards has Kim won?
Kim picked up the MTV EMA Award for Video for Good along with Sam Smith for their collab 'Unholy' in 2022. They also took home Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys 2023!
Scroll through to see Sam Smith's biggest and best collaborations:
Sam Smith and Disclosure - 'Latch'
Starting in 2012, Sam featured on Disclosure's hit 'Latch'. 'Latch' was the lead single from Disclosure's debut album 'Settle' and reached Number 11 in the UK.
Sam Smith and Naughty Boy - 'La La La'
One of Sam's earliest hits was 'La La La' with Naughty Boy, released in 2013. The song was featured on the deluxe edition of Sam's 2014 album 'In the Lonely Hour'.
Sam Smith and John Legend - 'Lay Me Down'
Sam re-released their song 'Lay Me Down' with John Legend for charity in 2015. The song became a Number 1 hit and the pair performed it live on Comic Relief – Face the Funny.
Sam Smith and Calvin Harris - 'Promises'
In 2018, Calvin Harris and Sam teamed up for 'Promises'. The song came about after Sam contacted Calvin on Instagram. Sam said they: "Had an amazing day together writing the song".
Sam Smith and Normani - 'Dancing With A Stranger'
'Dancing With A Stranger' was a hit in 2019 for Sam along with former Fifth Harmony singer Normani. The song was certified 2× Platinum in the UK and reached Number 3.
Sam Smith and Demi Lovato - 'I'm Ready'
Sam Smith was joined by Demi Lovato on their 2020 hit 'I'm Ready'. The song was co-written by both artists along with a team of songwriters and reached Number 20 in the UK.
Sam Smith and Labrinth - 'Love Goes'
Labrinth joined Sam on a song called 'Love Goes', which was featured on Sam's 2017 album 'The Thrill of It All'.
Sam Smith and Kim Petras - 'Unholy'
Sam Smith and Kim Petras had huge success in October 2022 with their song 'Unholy'. The song was a Number 1 success in both the UK and USA, where they became the first publicly non-binary and transgender soloists respectively to get a #Hot100 Number 1. They also won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards!
Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran - 'Who We Love'
Ed Sheeran has joined Sam Smith for a song on their upcoming album 'Gloria', out on 27th January 2023. The song, which has been co-written by both artists, is called 'Who We Love', and listed at track 13 on the record.
Sam Smith with Koffee and Jessie Reyez - 'Gimme'
Sam Smith released a new song called 'Gimme' on 11th January with Koffee and Jessie Reyez. The song is also featured on their upcoming album 'Gloria', out on 27th January.
Sam Smith and Madonna
Sam Smith and Madonna teamed up for a collab called 'Vulgar'. The pair released their song on 9th June along with the visualiser and lyric video.
Sam Smith and Calvin Harris
Following the success of their track 'Promises', Calvin and Sam teamed up again and released 'Desire' in July 2023.
Sam Smith and Charli XCX
Sam Smith and Charli XCX released 'In The City' in October 2023. The song was written by the pair, and Sam said: "Charli is a force and getting creative with her is so much fun. This track is about freedom and those unforgettable nights of abandon. I loved every minute we spent together making it."
Sam Smith and Alicia Keys - 'I'm Not The Only One'
Sam Smith and Alicia Keys teamed up to release a new version of Sam's 2014 hit 'I'm Not The Only One'. The track was originally included on the singer's debut album.
Now read:
Sam Smith: Get to know the singer behind 'Unholy'
Sam Smith and Kim Petras reach Number 1 with 'Unholy' 🔥
Kim Petras releases new song 'Alone' featuring Nicki Minaj