Kim Petras On Celebrating Pride, Being A Make-Up Chameleon And The Challenges Facing The Transgender Community
For Kim Petras, the German singer, songwriter and first Grammy award-winning transgender artist, make-up has always been about unfettered self-expression. From her school days when she would play with bold make-up looks, despite the criticism from her peers, to her on-stage personas and performances where she harnesses its power as an art form, it's become a tool through which to reinvent herself.
'I think the really empowering thing about make-up is that it allows you to find your own definition of beauty,' Petras tells ELLE UK. 'There is so much creativity and individuality in make-up, and beauty means something different to everyone.'
As Pride kicks off this month, the MAC Viva Glam brand ambassador speaks to ELLE UK about being a make-up chameleon, inspiring creativity, and addressing the ongoing challenges facing the transgender community.
On make-up and her on-stage persona...
'Make-up has really helped me change my on-stage persona over the years and helped me write different kinds of songs by getting me into character. For example, for Slut Pop Miami, I did a really thin brow, overlined my lips, and got a spray tan. Then for my Halloween record, I’m super pale with long, spidery, lashes. My make-up always lets me escape to wherever the music wants to take me.'
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On her everyday make-up staples...
'One of my everyday make-up staples is my MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Setting Spray. I love the smell of it and spray it [on my skin] all the time. Skincare is really big in general for me, so I’m also loving MAC Hyper Real SkinCanvas Balm Moisturising Cream. And right now, VIVA GLAM lipstick is an everyday hero, especially VIVA Heart, because that’s what I’m wearing in the campaign images! It’s a really beautiful 1990s muted red. I pair it with Cherry liner and it gives me such a confidence boost.'
On the meaning of make-up...
'Make-up means so much to me, because I’ve always felt that it really helps me express myself in life. Growing up, I used to show up to school in crazy, editorial-style make-up look. Other kids might have made fun of me, but I still felt beautiful and empowered. To this day, make-up still helps me feel like my authentic self and express how I’m feeling on the inside.'
On inspiring creativity and reinventing herself...
'I think the really empowering thing about make-up is that it allows you to find your own definition of beauty. There is so much creativity and individuality in make-up and beauty means something different to everyone, so it’s fun to experiment and get creative with makeup.
'I think one thing about my career and my performances is that I love reinventing myself. Something that has been consistent in my career is inventing a new character every time I have a new album. There’s always a new theme that I go into, so my make-up is really linked to my art and music in a big way, in that it allows me to shift characters and create new versions of myself.'
On her favourite TikTok trends...
'I love any make-up trend that is bold and creative. One make-up trend I’m really into right now is blush. I’ve seen people putting blush on their noses, foreheads, and on their chins to contour with. Blush is really such a magical product and I’m glad that it’s having its moment right now.'
On celebrating Pride...
'Pride means so much to me as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. To me, it’s a moment to celebrate and come together as a community. This year I have some fun Pride Month celebrations planned and I may or may not be doing something with M·A·C… but that’s all I can say for now!'
On the challenges facing the transgender community...
'I’m so proud to be working with M·A·C VIVA GLAM, because VIVA GLAM partners with nonprofit organisations that support the transgender community. This is a cause that is really personal to me. There are many challenges facing the trans community, and for trans youth specifically, there are kids being kicked out of their homes that are essentially homeless from a very young age. There’s also the issue of access to healthcare and gender-affirming care and treatment. There’s a lot of misunderstanding that the community faces as well. It means so much to me that M·A·C VIVA GLAM is advocating for equality for everyone, including the trans community.'
On being a VIVA GLAM ambassador...
'I am so excited and proud to join forces with MAC to help raise money for VIVA GLAM’s mission of equality for all. Growing up, I fell in love with the VIVA GLAM campaigns and its legendary ambassadors, so to have the opportunity to represent the campaign myself and glam for good is truly a pinch-me moment.'
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