"This is a huge moment for me," Kim Petras said.
Kim Petras made history at the 2023 Grammy Awards when her collaboration with Sam Smith on the song "Unholy" won the award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
With "Unholy" winning, Kim Petras became the first transgender woman to win Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammys.
Sam Smith and Kim Petras took to the stage to accept the award wearing daring red ensembles, with the German singer stepping forward to deliver the acceptance speech.
“God, thank you so much. This has been such an incredible, incredible journey for me,” said Kim Petras, beginning her emotional speech.
“Sam Smith kindly wanted me to receive this award because I am the first transgender woman to win it. I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who have opened these doors for me to be here tonight,” he continued.
Kim Petras paid a special tribute to the late electronic and experimental music artist Sophie, who died following an accident in Athens in January 2021 aged 34.
“Especially Sophie, a friend who died two years ago, who told me it would happen and always believed in me. I love you and your inspiration will forever be in my music," he said.
Kim Petras also paid tribute to the legendary Madonna for her long-time championing of the rights of the LGBTI+ community: "I don't think I could be here without Madonna," she said.
The 30-year-old German singer also thanked her mother: "I grew up next to a motorway and my mother thought I was a girl and I wouldn't be here without her and her support," she said, drawing applause and cheers from the crowd.
“Everyone who has believed in me up to this point, I love you so much. To the Recording Academy, thank you, this is a huge moment for me. Sam, you are a true angel and hero in my life and I love you. Everyone who made this song, I love you too,” concluded Kim Petras.
During the 2023 Grammy Awards ceremony, Sam Smith and Kim Petras sang the collaboration live in a very 'Unholy' performance that included cages, whips and a hat with Satan's horns.
The two artists were introduced by Madonna, who said: "If they call you disturbing, provocative, dangerous, then you must be doing something right."
