Kesha Voices Solidarity with Kim Petras as Transgender Artist Seeks Release from Republic Records

German-born pop artist Kim Petras, known for her Grammy-winning collaboration "Unholy"with Sam Smith, publicly requested on January 20, 2026, to be released from her contract with Republic Records. In a series of posts on X , the openly transgender singer expressed exhaustion over lacking control of her career and music, stating she wishes to self-fund and self-curate her work moving forward.

Petras signed with Republic Records in 2021, shortly after which she released an EP and the viral hit "Unholy, which earned her a Grammy in 2023 as the first openly transgender artist to win in a major category. She followed with two full-length albums in 2023, but recent projects faced setbacks, including canceled festival appearances in 2024 due to health issues.

Central to Petras' announcement is her upcoming album "Detour", which she claims has been complete for six months without a release date from the label. She accused Republic of withholding payments to collaborators and prioritizing viral "TikTok trends"over artist development, suggesting her work was exploited for "80s revival queerbaiting. Despite these issues, Petras affirmed she will release "Detour" independently.

The announcement quickly drew support from Kesha, who replied directly on X, drawing from her own decade-long legal battle to exit Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records and RCA Records, settled in 2023. "I spent many years fighting for the rights to myself, Kesha wrote. "Watching another woman realize the ‘golden cage’ is still a cage isn’t a victory—it’s a tragedy we have to stop repeating. Freedom isn’t a privilege; it’s a birthright. I hear you, I’m sorry Kim. Kesha's message was widely seen as an act of solidarity, highlighting shared struggles for autonomy in the music industry.

Republic Records has not issued a public response to Petras'claims as of January 22, 2026. iHeartRadio 93. This dispute unfolds amid a broader trend of artists reclaiming independence, following high-profile cases like Kesha, Britney Spears, Raye, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix.

For LGBTQ+ artists like Petras, whose trailblazing Grammy win marked a milestone for transgender representation in music, such label conflicts raise questions about support structures in an industry still grappling with inclusivity. Petras'public praise for Republic in 2023 contrasts sharply with her current frustration, underscoring tensions between early career breakthroughs and long-term creative control. Community observers note that Petras'move could inspire other queer and transgender musicians navigating major labels, emphasizing the value of independence for authentic expression.

Petras'recent collaborations have not matched "Unholy's"success, contributing to her reported setbacks, yet her fanbase remains dedicated, with many voicing support online for her self-release plans. As the situation develops, it spotlights ongoing debates over artist rights, particularly for those from marginalized communities whose visibility can be leveraged without commensurate backing.