Kim Petras on Leaving Major Labels, Reclaiming Her Art, and the Upcoming Album 'Detour'

Kim Petras discusses her departure from Republic Records in 2026 and the creation of her self-released album 'Detour.' After the Grammy-winning hit 'Unholy' with Sam Smith, Petras felt disillusioned by the major-label machine, which she says turned her into a product. She fired her management and began working with underground artists like Margo XS, Frost Children, and Porches. The album reflects on her struggles in the industry and her trans identity, notably on the track 'Brutalist,' which uses the metaphor of a demolished brutalist post office in Hamburg to discuss her childhood hormone therapy. Petras funded the project through sponsorships with Oatly and MISTR, and she prioritizes creative freedom over commercial success. She describes the process as a 'secret project' that allowed her to reconnect with her artistry.