‘I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me’
Kim Petras made LGBTQ+ history on Sunday becoming the first trans woman to win an award for Best Pop/Duo/Group Performance at the Grammy’s in a moment that left her overcome with emotion.
Petras and Sam Smith won the award for their track ‘Unholy’, which was up against ABBA, Coldplay and BTS, as well as duos Post Malone and Doja Cat, and Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran.
Accepting the award, Petras said: “Sam (Smith) graciously wanted me to accept this award because I am the first transgender woman to win this award.”
While she spoke Smith cheered and applauded her, and numerous times during her speech members of the audience rose to their feet to give her a standing ovation. .
The German star went on to thank “all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight”
She continued: “Sophie, especially, my friend who passed away two years ago, who told me this would happen and always believed in me.
“Thank you so much for your inspiration, Sophie. I adore you and your inspiration will always be in my music.”
The “Turn Off the Light” singer also thanked Madonna for championing LGBTQ rights, adding, “I don’t think I’d be here without Madonna.”
“I grew up next to a highway in nowhere, Germany, and my mother believed me that I was a girl and I wouldn’t be here without her and her support,” Petras concluded her historic speech.
“Sam, thank you, you’re a true angel and hero in my life and I love you. And everyone who made the song, too, I love you guys. Sorry, I didn’t write down the names. I love you.”
.@samsmith and @kimpetras win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for #Unholy. ❤️ #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/9cxocDKllF
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 6, 2023
Fans were quick to celebrate the news, with one person tweeting: “Started crying at work…. ummm this is f***ing epic. “
“Say what u want about her but she’s giving so much hope to trans artists out there that we can exist in that industry and be successful. Obvi there’s more work to do and we need more representation, but this is a good start.”
Another said: “She deserves. So happy for her.”
A third commented: “I sobbed when Kim thanked her mom for believing that she’s a girl. Believe your trans kids, parents. Love them and let them grow up and change the world. We believe you, too, Kim. You’re perfect and we are so proud of you!”
While Petras was the first trans woman to win an award for Best Pop/Duo/Group Performance, she is not the first trans performer to win a Grammy. Wendy Carlos won three in 1969.
Kim Petras thanking Sophie during her winning the first ever Grammy won by an openly transgender woman (Wendy Carlos was closeted at the time she won) in the year that trans rights are under attack more than ever in history…
Yeah, I cried.
Thanks @kimpetras
You deserve it. pic.twitter.com/ncsa2CWUTa
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) February 6, 2023
Love the appreciation for Kim Petras, but she's not the first trans woman ever to win a Grammy, that's Wendy Carlos!
Trans synth queen Carlos won 3 Grammys for "Switched-On-Bach" in 1969. She later went on to compose the soundtracks for The Shining and A Clockwork Orange. pic.twitter.com/aOYfUJrf8N
— Mel Woods (@intothemelwoods) February 6, 2023
Speaking ahead of her win, Petras revealed she was still in disbelief about the nomination, telling The Sun: “I still can’t believe that is happening. Honestly, I feel like I was crying and overwhelmed because I never thought I’d be acknowledged in any way by the Recording Academy.
“It was never my goal to win a Grammy or to get nominated but now there’s the possibility of that. It’s crazy.”
She said the nomination was a “historical moment”.
“I usually want to let other people shine, but now I’m nominated, I need to shine.”
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