Kim Petras has publicly aired her grievances with Republic Records.
On Tuesday the pop artist took to X (formerly Twitter) to allege that her label, which is part of Universal Music Group, has been blocking her from issuing her completed album Detour after she says she formally asked to be released from her contract.
Petras wrote that the album has been finished for six months but that the label “refused to give me a release date” and has not compensated collaborators for their contributions. She added that she’s exhausted by feeling powerless over both her personal life and her career, and that she wants to keep funding and curating her own music independently. For those reasons, she said she has officially asked Republic Records to drop her.
Petras first joined Republic in 2021. Since then she released the EP Slut Pop in 2022 and followed with the studio LPs Feed the Beast and Problématique in 2023. Her highest-profile success came with “Unholy,” the 2023 duet with Sam Smith that earned the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
On X, Petras stressed that she won a Grammy two years ago and insisted the music she has ready is strong, yet she says she still isn’t receiving label backing. She criticized the industry trend of only supporting music that can be shoehorned into viral TikTok moments or relies on retro 1980s-style nostalgia and what she called “queerbaiting” revivalism, suggesting those are the kinds of projects labels are willing to push.
She closed her posts by telling fans she loves them and that they have “waited long enough,” declaring she plans to release Detour regardless of the label’s stance. Petras has not shared further specifics about how or when she intends to make the album public.
Fellow artist Kesha quickly voiced solidarity, posting that she spent years fighting for control over her own career and that watching another woman realize the limits of what she called the industry’s “golden cage” is tragic rather than triumphant. Kesha wrote that freedom is not a luxury but something people deserve, and expressed empathy for Petras; Petras replied with a heart emoji.
Kesha’s response holds particular resonance because she has her own history with Republic-related business arrangements. She is signed to Amigo Records, a label run by Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, which operates through Republic. Kesha’s legal conflict with Gottwald dates back to 2014, when she accused him of sexual, emotional and physical abuse; Gottwald denied the allegations, and a judge dismissed parts of the case in 2016. Gottwald later countersued, and the dispute was ultimately resolved in a settlement reported in 2023.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
