Sam Smith handed the floor to collaborator Kim Petras as the duo celebrated her becoming the first transgender woman to win best pop duo/group performance at the Grammys. Their chart-topping collaboration Unholy claimed the gong on Sunday night with German vocalist Petras thanking other trans performers who came before her.
“Sam, I love you so much and this song has been such an incredible journey for me,” she said after they took to the stage. “Sam graciously wanted me to accept this award because I am the first transgender woman to win this award,” she added, prompting a standing ovation from parts of the audience.
Petras also thanked the “transgender legends” who had “kicked open the doors”. She also mentioned Madonna, saying “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna”, and her mother, as she accepted the gong at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
