Kim Petras Dishes on ‘Historical Moment’ Of Being First Transgender Woman to Notch Grammy Win

Jelani Scott | May 15, 2023

Ahead of her debut in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue, Grammy Award-winning pop singer Kim Petras reflected on her historic victory at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in February.

Petras, who is transgender, is one four SI Swim cover models this year, alongside Martha Stewart, Megan Fox and Brooks Nader. Her appearance comes on the heels of her trailblazing win for her collaboration with Sam Smith on the massive hit song “Unholy.”

Petras’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping collaboration with the British pop star led to the 30-year-old singer’s first ever Grammy, making her the first transgender woman to win a Grammy for best pop duo/group performance. She also made history as the second transgender woman to win a Grammy, 54 years after composer Wendy Carlos’s landmark three wins in 1969.

“Winning a Grammy was so unexpected,” Petras told SI. “Just, [an] insane life moment, I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me, and I don’t think I’ll really ever have that feeling again. It was completely incredible.”

Check out Kim Petras’s entire SI Swimsuit photoshoot.

Petras also expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to deliver an acceptance speech on her and Smith’s behalf, a moment she said the five-time Grammy winner encouraged her to step into.

“I’m so grateful to Sam for wanting me to give a speech and kind of pushing me to do it, because I was so scared and Sam was like,’If we win, I want you to do it,’ because it’s a historical moment.”

Check out full coverage of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.