Kim Petras Asks for Support from Her Label After Months of Silence

Kim Petras Seeks Independence from Republic Records

Kim Petras is officially seeking to sever ties with Republic Records, expressing her desire to transition into an independent artist in a series of candid posts on social media platform X.

In a statement shared on Tuesday, January 20, Petras voiced her frustrations, saying, “I’m tired of having no control over my own life or career.” She elaborated, “I want to continue to self fund and self curate my own music,” which she cited as the reason for her formal request to be released from her contract with Republic.

Petras, a German-born pop star, further claimed that her label has “refused” to set a release date for her highly anticipated album, Detour, which she stated has been completed for six months. She also accused the label of failing to compensate her collaborators. Highlighting her disappointment, she remarked, “I won a Grammy 2 years ago…….. the music is TEA. Still no support. If it’s not a TikTok trend or 80s revival queerbaiting shit these labels have no interest in supporting.”

Billboard has reached out to Republic Records for a comment regarding Petras’ statements.

Petras signed with Republic Records, co-founded by Monte and Avery Lipman, in the summer of 2021. In less than two years, she and Sam Smith achieved significant acclaim, winning the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their collaboration “Unholy,” thereby making Petras the first openly transgender artist to receive a Recording Academy honor.

During this time, she also presented Republic with the label of the year award at Billboard’s Power 100 party earlier this year, a sharp contrast to her recent criticisms. At that event, she had praised the label, stating, “I strongly, strongly, deeply agree with this assessment: Republic Records, best label ever.” She expressed gratitude for their support, saying, “My life has changed so much.”

In 2025, Petras released three singles: “Polo,” “Freak It,” and “I Like Ur Look.” She has been teasing her third studio album, and on December 31, 2025, she shared a celebratory photo on Instagram acknowledging the “0th birthday” of Detour.

Despite her ongoing issues with Republic, the artist has affirmed her commitment to her fans, stating, “I’m dropping Detour regardless.” This resolution reflects her determination to ensure her music reaches listeners promptly, regardless of her label’s stance.