Pop star Kim Petras lead World Pride celebrations in Sydney

Come one, come all— that’s the message pop sensation Kim Petras has for Sydney as she prepares to headline the closing concert for the city’s World Pride celebrations.

One of the world’s top pop stars of the moment has issued an open invitation to everyone to get involved in World Pride.

Weeks out from the global event being hosted in Sydney, German singer Kim Petras says all are welcome when festivities kick from February 18.

“Everyone is very welcome,” Petras told The Daily Telegraph.

German pop sensation and songwriter Kim Petras will headline Sydney WorldPride’s closing concert Rainbow Republic presented by Optus on March 5.

“I as someone who always felt like I didn’t really belong anywhere and there were no other trans kids at my school or in my little village, I used to get literally spat on in the street and people used to make fun of me, it was rough and life and culture has come so far that now I am an artist who people are excited to see and that is all thanks to the community and to events like this. I would be an idiot not to show up and not to be there and have the best time ever.”

Petras, of global hit Unholy, a collaboration with Sam Smith, is a headliner for World Pride and is set to perform at the Rainbow Republic closing concert at The Domain on March 5.

Petras collaborated with Sam Smith on smash hit ‘Unholy’.

Peach PRC, Alter Boy, Vetta Borne, MUNA and BVT are also on the bill.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Sydney through the festival that includes the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade that will take place on February 25.

Sydney is gearing up to host the festival through February and March. Picture: Damian Shaw

“A lot of times we are too concerned with labels and what everyone is,” said Petras, who famously started her male to female transition at age 12.

“I think what Pride is about is just accepting everyone and everyone’s differences too. I have always felt different and Pride has always been such a thing for me in that it is the one event or one day that I’ve felt like I am one of everyone so it is cool.”

Smith and Petras meanwhile are nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their hit, Unholy at this year’s Grammy Awards that are held on Monday in LA.

“Now a huge hit has happened thanks to Sam Smith and thanks to just luck and us collaborating on this song being of the moment,” Petras said.

“It has been a journey, years and years of work. I just love performing; I just love music and I love my fans and people who love pop music as much as I do.”