This article was published on March 31st, 2022
While the COVID-19 pandemic left the world without in-person pride events over the past two years, NYC Pride is making a bold return with the announcement of pop superstar Kim Petras as this year’s Pride Island headliner. The first fully in-person Pride Island in three years will also move to a new location, taking place at Play Lawn at Governors Island.
Other marquee talent at this year’s Pride Island taking place Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26 includes Papi Juice, who’ll be performing on the opening night. On Sunday, pop sensation Kim Petras takes center stage on the closing night of Pride Island.
Since first emerging on the scene, Kim has created an incredibly dynamic career with a string of critically acclaimed singles and projects that have earned over 850 million streams. She’s also sold-out headline tours across North America and Europe—and now she’s taking center stage in NYC.
The expansion of Pride Island to a 3-day event creates new experiences for the community to love and live their truth by dancing freely without fear of consequence. Pride Island Event Manager Lauren Cheeseborough said it best when she noted that: “This will truly be a historic weekend in the history of Pride.”
Breaking barriers
Her sentiments were echoed by Pride Island Director, Mario Schmitt who said: “Pride Island is rooted in a history dating back more than 30 years.”
“After being silenced for the past 2 years due to the pandemic, we are coming back with one of the biggest events in Pride history. We are proud to be breaking barriers by introducing our first Pride Island headliner of the transgender experience.”
After years of triumphing as an entirely independent artist, Kim signed to Republic Records / Amigo Records and has now set out on a brand-new era with the release of “Future Starts Now” and “Coconuts,” both from her forthcoming, highly anticipated debut album. Kim’s signature brand of pop is inspired by all genres while maintaining a modern sound that is completely her own.
Most recently, Kim released the sex-positive Slut Pop EP as a Valentine’s Day surprise for her fans. Now, Kim is preparing for the release of her 2022 debut album on Republic Records.
Over the course of her burgeoning career,Kim has shown herself to be a force to be reckoned with in the pop landscape. A self-made international pop star on her own terms, Kim Petras’ rise to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. She is an artist whose queer identity informs every aspect of her music and performance.
Her success has come from hard work and an uncompromising dedication to what makes her who she is. In addition to being a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kim is also one of few openly transgender artists in mainstream music today.With this new announcement, she is cementing her place in pop culture history as one of the most important voices in music today
Slut Pop
For more than 30 years, NYC Pride has been producing world-class events that bring together LGBTQ individuals and allies to celebrate equality through community engagement and cultural programming.
The event features an all-star lineup of musical performers and DJs who span genres and generations in music. Fans can expect this year to be no different, with Kim as the headliner bringing on a high energy performance with her signature Slut Pop style.
This year’s headliner announcement comes at a time when the community needs it most. After two years of isolation due to COVID-19, many members of the LGBTQIA+ community are ready for some in-person fun.
Eddie Martinez, Dani Toro, and Alex Chapman will join Kim on Pride Island to keep the dance party going throughout the day. Additional performers will be announced soon.
For more information about NYC Pride 2022 visit www.nycpride.org.
