King Princess Wiki, Bio, Networth, Partner, Family & More

Brief Introduction of King Princess

Mikaela Mullaney Straus, professionally known as King Princess, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer recognized for her distinctive indie pop and queer pop sound. Born on December 19, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, she gained widespread attention in 2018 with her debut single “1950,” a queer love anthem that quickly became a commercial success and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). King Princess is celebrated for her raw, authentic lyricism and unapologetically queer perspective, which has resonated deeply with a dedicated global fanbase. Her music often explores themes of identity, love, and sexuality, cementing her status as a significant voice in contemporary pop music. She is signed to Mark Ronson’s Zelig Records, an imprint of Columbia Records.

King Princess Overview

Early Life and Education of King Princess

Mikaela Mullaney Straus was born on December 19, 1998, and raised in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, New York City. Her upbringing was uniquely immersed in the world of music, largely due to her father, Oliver H. Straus Jr., who is a recording engineer and the owner of Mission Sound, a renowned recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

From a very young age, Mikaela spent countless hours at her father’s studio, observing artists and learning the intricacies of music production. This hands-on experience allowed her to master various instruments, including bass, guitar, piano, and drums, making her a multi-instrumentalist from her formative years. Her early musical inspirations were drawn from rock music, with bands like Led Zeppelin and T. Rex, as well as Jack White, shaping her artistic sensibilities.

Her talent was recognized early, as she reportedly received an offer for a record deal from Virgin Records at the tender age of 11. However, with the guidance of her father, she opted to decline the offer, prioritizing her education and wanting to define her artistic vision before committing to a label. This decision reflected a mature understanding of the music industry, having witnessed artists’ experiences with labels in her father’s studio.

Straus attended and graduated from Avenues: The World School, a private institution in Manhattan. After completing high school, she moved to Los Angeles to further her education at the USC Thornton School of Music. However, her passion for creating her own music proved too strong, and she ultimately dropped out after just one year to dedicate herself full-time to her burgeoning music career.

King Princess’s Career

King Princess, whose real name is Mikaela Mullaney Straus, officially launched her professional music career in 2018, though her journey in music began much earlier. Her distinctive sound and authentic lyrical style quickly caught the attention of renowned music producer Mark Ronson, who signed her as the first artist to his Zelig Records label, an imprint of Columbia Records.

Her breakthrough came in February 2018 with the release of her debut single, “1950.” The song, a heartfelt tribute to the LGBTQ+ community and queer love, inspired by Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, became a viral sensation. It garnered significant commercial success, charting in multiple territories, and was later certified platinum by the RIAA. The track received widespread acclaim and a notable endorsement from Harry Styles, who tweeted lyrics from the song, significantly boosting her exposure.

Following the success of “1950,” she released her second single, “Talia,” which achieved gold certification in Australia. Both tracks were featured on her debut extended play (EP), Make My Bed, released in June 2018, which further solidified her unique artistic voice.

In October 2019, King Princess unveiled her highly anticipated debut studio album, Cheap Queen, to widespread critical acclaim. She took an active role in the album’s production, including programming many of the instruments. The album charted in the Top 20 of the Billboard Top Alternative Albums chart and received a deluxe edition release in February 2020, featuring additional unreleased songs.

Throughout her career, King Princess has engaged in notable collaborations and performances. She was featured on Mark Ronson’s 2019 album Late Night Feelings, performing “Pieces of Us” with him at the Glastonbury Festival. In November 2019, she made her debut as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. She also served as an opening act for the European leg of Harry Styles’ “Love On Tour” in 2020 and supported other major artists like Kacey Musgraves on her “Star-Crossed: Unveiled” tour and Shawn Mendes‘ “Wonder: The World Tour.”

Her sophomore album, Hold On Baby, was released in July 2022 and cracked the Top Ten of the Alternative Albums chart, further showcasing her evolution as an artist. The album included singles such as “Little Bother” (with Fousheé), “For My Friends,” and “Let Us Die,” which notably featured one of the final performances by Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Beyond music, King Princess expanded her creative endeavors, making her acting debut in the second season of Hulu’s series Nine Perfect Strangers. In 2024, she contributed the song “Fantastic” to the Arcane: League of Legends: Season 2 soundtrack, reaching number 35 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

King Princess Personal Life & Family

Mikaela Mullaney Straus, known as King Princess, is open about her personal identity and experiences, which frequently inform her music. She identifies as lesbian and genderqueer, expressing a fluid sense of self that transcends traditional gender binaries. In a 2022 interview, she stated that she doesn’t feel offended by various pronoun usage, including “He, She, It, They, Xenogender,” and in 2023, she publicly embraced being non-binary on Instagram.

Regarding her romantic relationships, King Princess dated actress Amandla Stenberg in 2018. Following this, she entered a relationship with Quinn Whitney Wilson, a creative director known for her work with Lizzo, in early 2019. Their relationship was publicly confirmed in September 2019 and was often referenced in King Princess’s music, including the song “Winter Is Hopeful” from her album Hold On Baby. They collaborated creatively, with Wilson directing the music video for King Princess’s single “PAIN” in 2020. This relationship, however, concluded at the end of 2023.

In August 2025, speculation arose regarding a romantic involvement between King Princess and veteran actress Christine Baranski, her co-star from Nine Perfect Strangers season two. However, both artists publicly clarified that their connection is a close, intergenerational friendship, and they playfully engaged with the rumors on social media, often “trolling” their fans.

Her family background is quite notable. Her father, Oliver H. Straus Jr., is a recording engineer and studio owner, while her mother is Agnes “Aggie” Mullaney. On her paternal side, Mikaela is a great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, prominent German Jewish immigrants who were co-owners of Macy’s and tragically died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Despite this lineage, King Princess has clarified that she is not an heiress to any Macy’s fortune, stating, “They were very rich and Jewish, [but] I didn’t inherit any of this money. It was a little frustrating, but whatever.”

Awards and Achievements of King Princess

King Princess’s compelling artistry has earned her recognition and several accolades early in her career:

• “1950” Platinum Certification (RIAA): Her debut single, “1950,” achieved platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America, marking a significant commercial success.
• “Talia” Gold Certification (ARIA): Her second single, “Talia,” was certified gold in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
• BBC Sound of 2019 Nominee: She was recognized as a promising new artist by the BBC, earning a nomination for their prestigious Sound of 2019 list.
• DIY Class of 2019: King Princess was included in DIY Magazine’s “Class of 2019,” highlighting her as one of the standout emerging acts.
• Rolling Stone Germany’s International Music Award (Beginner): She received the “Beginner” award at Rolling Stone Germany’s International Music Awards.
• GLAAD Media Award Nominee (Outstanding Music Artist 2020): Her work was honored with a nomination for a GLAAD Media Award in the “Outstanding Music Artist” category, celebrating her contributions to LGBTQ+ representation in music.
• Breakout Pop Artist of the Year (Vivid Seats): In 2018, she earned the “Breakout Pop Artist of the Year” honors from Vivid Seats.

King Princess Net Worth and Income

As of the latest available information, King Princess’s estimated net worth is approximately $6 million USD. Her income sources primarily stem from her multifaceted career in the music industry. These include revenue from music sales, streaming royalties, and publishing rights for her songs, which she often writes and produces herself. Significant income is also generated through touring, live performances, and festival appearances, such as Lollapalooza and Coachella. Additionally, she earns from merchandise sales, brand partnerships, and more recently, her foray into acting, including her role in Nine Perfect Strangers.

Legacy and Influence

King Princess has rapidly established herself as a significant and unapologetic voice in contemporary pop music, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Her legacy is deeply rooted in her commitment to authenticity and visibility, offering a fresh, queer perspective to pop culture.

Through her candid lyrics and genre-blending sound, she has created a safe and empowering space for young queer individuals, who form a substantial part of her core audience. Her breakthrough hit “1950” became an anthem for queer love, illustrating the power of her music to resonate deeply and personally with listeners seeking representation.

King Princess’s influence extends beyond her music, as she consistently advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and inclusivity. Her willingness to openly discuss her identity as lesbian and genderqueer helps normalize diverse experiences and encourages self-acceptance among her fans. She has been described as a “queer icon” and a “burgeoning queer idol,” contributing to a more diverse and accepting landscape in the music industry.

Her work ethic, as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who often takes creative control over her projects, also serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists, especially young women and genderqueer individuals in a male-dominated industry. By making “unusual” practices “usual” in her creative process, King Princess challenges industry norms and paves the way for greater artistic autonomy.

Interesting Facts about King Princess

• Early Studio Immersion: King Princess spent her entire childhood at her father’s recording studio, Mission Sound, where she learned to play multiple instruments and understand music production from a very young age.
• Turned Down First Record Deal: At just 11 years old, she was offered a record deal by Virgin Records but declined it, choosing to focus on her education and develop her artistic identity before signing.
• Titanic Ancestry: She is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, who were co-owners of Macy’s and perished on the RMS Titanic. However, she has stated she did not inherit any of their fortune.
• Stage Name Origin: The name “King Princess” originated from a friend calling her that, and she felt it accurately represented her fluid, in-between, and genderqueer identity.
• Literary Inspiration: Her breakout single “1950” was directly inspired by Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 romance novel, The Price of Salt, a pioneering work featuring lesbian themes.
• Mark Ronson as “Work Father”: She considers her mentor, Mark Ronson, who signed her to Zelig Records, as her “work father” due to their close professional relationship and his support for her artistic vision.
• Producing Prowess: King Princess has a hands-on approach to her music, producing much of her debut album, Cheap Queen, herself and programming many of the instruments.
• Acting Debut: She made her acting debut in the second season of Hulu’s series Nine Perfect Strangers.
• “Gay Energy”: Fans have humorously described her as having “Gay Energy” strong enough to power an entire country.
• Pronoun Flexibility: While she primarily uses she/her pronouns, she has expressed openness to various pronouns, including he/she/it/they, noting her gender identity is on a spectrum and changes daily.

Controversies

Throughout her career, King Princess has largely maintained a positive public image, with no significant controversies noted in trusted media. Her open and authentic approach to her identity and music has been met with widespread support from her fanbase and critics alike.

In August 2025, there was some brief public speculation about a potential romantic relationship between King Princess and her Nine Perfect Strangers co-star, veteran actress Christine Baranski. This arose after King Princess posted photos with Baranski on Instagram, playfully captioned “#loveislove.” However, both King Princess and Baranski clarified in interviews that their connection is a close, intergenerational friendship rather than a romance, with King Princess known for “trolling” her followers.

Social Media Presence

King Princess actively engages with her fanbase across several prominent social media platforms, maintaining a strong online presence:

• Instagram: As of August 20, 2025, King Princess has approximately 755,000 followers on her Instagram account (@kingprincess69). She frequently uses the platform for updates, personal insights, and interacting with fans.
• YouTube: Her official YouTube channel (@KingPrincess) boasts 420,000 subscribers, as of late 2024/early 2025. The channel features official music videos, lyric videos, and other content, accumulating over 128 million video views.
• X (formerly Twitter): While King Princess maintains a presence on X, specific current follower counts are not consistently reported in publicly verifiable, updated sources. Her early career received a significant boost from a tweet by Harry Styles, highlighting her influence on the platform.

Final Words about King Princess

King Princess, born Mikaela Mullaney Straus, has carved out a unique and influential space in the modern music landscape. As of 2025, she continues to be a vibrant force, celebrated for her raw talent as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, as well as her role as a prominent queer icon. Her journey from a childhood spent in a recording studio to an internationally recognized artist is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft and her authentic self-expression.

Her legacy is defined not only by her commercially successful singles like “1950” and critically acclaimed albums such as Cheap Queen and Hold On Baby but also by her profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community. By openly embracing her identity and infusing her music with unapologetically queer narratives, King Princess provides solace, representation, and empowerment for countless listeners.

Looking ahead, King Princess shows no signs of slowing down. Her recent ventures into acting with Nine Perfect Strangers and contributions to soundtracks like Arcane: League of Legends demonstrate her evolving artistic scope. Fans eagerly anticipate her future musical releases and creative projects, confident that she will continue to push boundaries, challenge norms, and deliver the honest, soulful, and groundbreaking art for which she is known, solidifying her lasting influence on pop culture.