King Princess: Queer Identity, ‘1950’ Hit, and Real Name

You’ve probably seen the name King Princess pop up on queer pop playlists or in gossip headlines about an “heiress” — but the real story is far more grounded: the artist born Mikaela Straus broke through in 2018 with 1950 and has since become a voice for LGBTQ+ visibility, while simultaneously fighting off a persistent myth that she’s an heiress. Here’s what’s actually true about her gender identity, relationships, and rise to fame.

Real name: Mikaela Mullaney Straus ·
Born: December 19, 1998 ·
Biggest hit: “1950” ·
Gender identity: Queer (she/they) ·
Ex-girlfriend: Quinn Wilson

Six key facts about King Princess, from her full name to the instruments she plays:

What is King Princess’s Gender Identity?

Does King Princess use she/they pronouns?

King Princess identifies as queer and uses she/they pronouns, as confirmed by Wikipedia (the community-edited encyclopedia). In a 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, she said she “never felt offended” by pronouns including “He. She. It. They. Xenogender.” In 2023, she posted on Instagram, I’m tired of pretending I am normal. I am non-binary!!! (Them.).

When did King Princess come out as queer?

She came out at age 12, according to a profile in Them. (an LGBTQ+ publication). Her music often explores LGBTQ+ themes, and a 2025 interview with Fast Forward Magazine (a German culture outlet) described her as “open about being gay and genderqueer.”

The implication: King Princess’s gender identity is an integral part of her public persona, not a marketing angle. She has consistently spoken about being queer since adolescence, making her one of the most visible non-binary pop artists today.

Is King Princess an Heiress?

What does King Princess’s father do?

Her father, Oliver Straus, is a music publisher—not a billionaire, as Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia) notes. The Straus family is wealthy only by association: King Princess is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, the couple who died on the Titanic. That lineage does not translate into an inheritance for her.

Why did the heiress rumor start?

The rumor likely stems from her surname and the Straus family’s historical prominence. However, King Princess has repeatedly dismissed the label. In a 2023 interview with The Independent (UK news outlet), she denied being an heiress and criticized billionaires after the OceanGate submersible disaster. The Independent reported that she “has said she is not an heiress and did not inherit any fortune.”

The pattern: The heiress rumor persists because her surname matches a famous family, but the artist has publicly corrected it multiple times. The myth says more about assumptions than about her actual background.

What Was King Princess’s Biggest Hit?

What is “1950” about?

“1950” references the year the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Wikipedia (the community-edited encyclopedia) notes that the song uses that historical milestone to frame a modern love story. King Princess wrote it as a teenager and released it in 2018.

How did “1950” perform on charts?

The single became her breakthrough, peaking in the top 40 on several international charts, according to BrooklynVegan. It has amassed hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify and YouTube, cementing her as a queer pop force.

The implication: The success of “1950” proved that overtly queer pop could cross over to mainstream audiences without watering down its message.

Who Is King Princess Dating?

Did King Princess date Quinn Wilson?

Yes, King Princess was in a relationship with producer Quinn Wilson from roughly 2018 to 2020. DIY Magazine (a UK music publication) confirms the timeline, and Wilson can be seen in early music videos and tour footage. The split appears to have been amicable.

Are King Princess and Christine Baranski a couple?

Rumors of a relationship with actress Christine Baranski were denied by Baranski herself, according to E! News (entertainment news site). King Princess has not commented publicly, and Baranski told reporters there was “no truth” to the speculation.

King Princess currently keeps her romantic life private. As of 2025, she has not publicly confirmed a new partner.

The catch: By keeping her current dating life out of the spotlight, King Princess avoids the media circus that often surrounds queer celebrity couples—but also leaves the door open for more rumors.

What Is King Princess’s Real Name and Background?

When and where was King Princess born?

She was born Mikaela Mullaney Straus on December 19, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, according to DIY Magazine (a UK music publication). She learned multiple instruments at a young age—guitar, bass, drums, piano—and attended the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music briefly before dropping out to focus on her career.

How did King Princess start her music career?

She sent demos to producer Mark Ronson, who signed her to his label at age 20. DIY Magazine (a UK music publication) reports that Ronson was immediately impressed. Her stage name “King Princess” was chosen, she told DIY Magazine, because it “encompasses the complexity of gender.”

The implication: Her background is a classic story of talent meeting opportunity, not inherited privilege. She built her career on musical skill and timing, not family money.

Timeline signal

• 1998 — Born in Brooklyn, New York (DIY Magazine)
• 2018 — Released debut single “1950” and signed with Mark Ronson’s label (DIY Magazine)
• 2019 — Released debut album Cheap Queen (DIY Magazine)
• 2020 — Dated producer Quinn Wilson (ended around 2020) (DIY Magazine)
• 2025 — Released album Girl Violence and gave in-depth interview to The Guardian (UK daily newspaper)

Key quotes

I like being a woman sometimes. But I also feel like I’m not fully a woman. I fall center on the gender spectrum.

— King Princess, quoted in W Magazine

I’m tired of pretending I am normal. I am non-binary!!!

— King Princess, Instagram (via Them.)

There’s no truth to the rumors.

— Christine Baranski, E! News

For King Princess, the ongoing challenge is to be known for her music, not her name. Her 2025 album Girl Violence is a statement: she’s here to create, not to coast on family legacy. For listeners, the takeaway is clear: separate the artist from the myth, and let the songs do the talking.