Gigi Perez: Queer Storytelling That’s Reshaping Pop’s Emotional Core

2025 has seen no shortage of LGBTQ+ artists break into the mainstream, but few have done so with the understated emotional intensity of Gigi Perez. While some queer performers this year have made headlines with high-octane visuals and chart-topping bangers, Perez’s rise has been marked by a different kind of revolution: the viral, slow-burn success of “Sailor Song” on queer TikTok and beyond. This track, which climbed into the top 40 of the Hot 100 and continues to hold its ground, showcases Perez’s ability to channel vulnerability, heartbreak, and hope—all through a distinctly queer lens that resonates with a new generation of listeners .

Perez’s story is emblematic of how queer culture and digital platforms intersect to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. “Sailor Song” first gained traction as a favorite soundtrack for queer creators on TikTok, leading to a groundswell of support that propelled the song into the mainstream . The authenticity of Perez’s lyrics—exploring queer relationships, longing, and self-acceptance—struck a chord with fans seeking genuine representation. This momentum led to Perez signing with Island Records, a major label known for nurturing breakout queer talent such as Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, further cementing Perez’s status as a leading figure in LGBTQ+ music .

What sets Perez apart is not just their music, but the way their work is woven into the rituals of queer digital communities. On TikTok, snippets of “Sailor Song” have become soundtracks to coming-out stories, celebrations of queer love, and moments of solidarity. This ritualized sharing—where fans use Perez’s music to narrate their own experiences—reflects a deepening of queer community bonds in the digital age . In interviews, Perez has emphasized the importance of vulnerability and honesty, stating that “writing openly about queer relationships isn’t just therapeutic for me—it’s about making space for others to feel seen” .

Perez’s influence extends beyond music into the broader currents of LGBTQ+ culture. Their aesthetic—rooted in a blend of indie, pop, and emotional storytelling—has inspired a wave of queer fashion trends, with fans emulating their understated, androgynous style in both physical and digital spaces . This embrace of authenticity over spectacle marks a shift in how queer identities are represented in pop culture: Perez’s rise signals that there is space in the mainstream for queer stories told with nuance, quiet confidence, and emotional complexity .

With a highly anticipated album on the horizon and a rapidly growing fanbase, Perez is poised for an even greater breakthrough in the coming year . Their success is not an isolated phenomenon: 2025 is also witnessing the rise of other LGBTQ+ musicians such as Catty, Tegan and Sara, and Doechii, all of whom are pushing boundaries and expanding the possibilities for queer representation in music . Yet, Perez’s particular brand of storytelling—intimate, confessional, and proudly queer—offers something especially resonant for LGBTQ+ youth navigating identity in a changing world.

As Perez prepares for their next chapter, the impact of their work is already clear: a new generation of queer fans is finding soundtracks for their lives, and the mainstream is listening more closely than ever before. In their music, their style, and their unapologetic honesty, Gigi Perez embodies the spirit of a queer cultural movement that’s just hitting its stride.