Trans and nonbinary people have been making pop for years, and we already have our own set of pop stars and icons. Some of them are newer, but many of these artists have been making great pop music for well over a decade, and all of them have released bop after bop.
From artists redefining the genre, to some of the best voices of their generation, trans and nonbinary pop stars are here to stay.
Here are eleven of our favorites we’ve been listening to!
Demi is one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and after they came out as nonbinary and started using they/them pronouns, they’re also one of the most famous nonbinary people in the world. From “Heart Attack,” to “Cool for the Summer,” to “Sorry Not Sorry,” Lovato is a pop star we’ll never stop loving.
Kim Petras is the first name that comes to mind when you say “trans pop star” and it’s for good reasons. She’s been working in the music game since she was a teen, and after releasing bops like “Malibu,” “Broken Glass” with Kygo,” and “Future Starts Now,” she’s about to release her debut major label album.
The Pose star and Emmy nominee recently released her first single “Something to Say,” and we have been jamming all summer! Michaela Jaé (who acts under the name Mj Rodriguez) has a killer voice, as seen in Pose and when she starred in Little Shop of Horrors at the Pasadena Playhouse, and the song is a fun-as-hell disco and dance throwback party perfect for good times all year long.
Long before she was the runner-up on season nine of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Peppermint has been putting out great '80s and '90s inspired pop songs and disco-infused dance tracks. Check out her latest single “Here For It,” for a great throwback sound.
The “Stay With Me” and “Dancing With a Stranger” singer is genderqueer and nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. They’ve won four Grammy awards, an Oscar, and have sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Now that’s a nonbinary pop star!
Shea Diamond has one of the most powerful voices in pop music and has attracted the attention of superstar producer Justin Tranter. She was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in 2019, and her song “I Am America” was used as the theme song for HBO’s series We’re Here.
Sophie is one of the most influential and groundbreaking producers and pop stars of the last decade, influencing everyone from Charli XCX, to Lady Gaga, to Rihanna, to 100 gecs. She sadly passed away early this year, but not before she left an indelible mark on pop music with songs like “Immaterial,” “Faceshopping,” “BIPP,” and “Vroom Vroom.” She is — and always will be — a legend.
Teddy Geiger first became a pop star when she released the song and Kristin Cavallari-starring music video for “For You I Will” in 2009. Lately she’s written songs for artists like Shawn Mendes, Christina Aguilera, and Lizzo. She’s also making her own music, including an upcoming album titled Teresa.
A nonbinary singer, actor, and activist, Dua Saleh is making songs that defy genre and always hit hard. We can’t get enough of songs like “Sugar Mama, “Warm Pants,” and especially the killer track “cat scratch.”
Shamir doesn't identify as male or female, but is comfortable with he/him pronouns. On songs like “On the Regular,” he shows his rapping skills, while other songs like “Diet” and “On My Own” have a 2010’s pop-punk or alt-rock feel. Shamir can do it all.
Sir Babygirl, who uses both he and she pronouns, has only released one album, but damn, it’s great. Mixing together pop, electronic, and pop-punk influences on songs like “Heels” and “Haunted House,” Sir Babygirl is not one to miss.
