You’ve probably heard that raspy, haunting voice floating across your TikTok feed lately. It’s hard to miss. Gigi Perez has this way of making you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a private, tear-soaked diary entry. But with the meteoric rise of "Sailor Song," a lot of people are scratching their heads and asking the same question: Is Gigi Perez LGBTQ, or is she just a really good storyteller?
Honestly, she’s both. But let’s be real—she isn't hiding anything.
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If you’re looking for a vague "maybe," you won't find it here. Gigi Perez is an out and proud lesbian. She’s been incredibly open about her journey, her heartbreaks, and how she navigated growing up in a space that wasn't always ready for her truth. It’s not just a rumor; it’s the core of her art.
The Truth Behind the Lyrics
When "Sailor Song" blew up, it became an instant anthem. Why? Because it’s raw. When she sings about wanting to be loved "like a sailor," she isn't just using metaphors for the sake of a catchy hook. She’s talking about a specific kind of devotion that she felt for a woman.
In fact, Gigi has directly mentioned that the song was inspired by a girl who looked like Anne Hathaway. It’s a very specific, very "sapphic" brand of yearning.
"There’s something to be said about the universal experience of a visceral and all-consuming first queer love," Gigi shared in a vulnerable Instagram post.
She’s also talked about the "Sallys" in everyone’s life—that person who represents a turning point in your understanding of yourself. For Gigi, her music is a way to process the fact that she spent years being "deathly afraid" of anyone knowing her truth.
Growing Up in a "Glass House"
Gigi’s story isn't just about fame; it’s about survival. She grew up in Florida and attended a strict Christian school, The King’s Academy. If you’ve ever been a queer kid in a conservative environment, you know that’s a heavy weight to carry.
She has been vocal about the "religious trauma" that colors some of her work. In her track "Fable," she explores the gut-wrenching intersection of grief and faith. She lost her sister, Celene, in 2020, and the song touches on the terrifying thought of whether she’d ever see her sister in an afterlife that, according to what she was taught, might not have a place for someone like her.
It's heavy stuff. Kinda makes those "is she or isn't she" questions feel a bit surface-level, right?
Addressing the Gender Speculation
Because Gigi has a stunning, deep contralto vocal range, there’s been a weird amount of internet chatter asking if she’s transgender.
Let’s set the record straight: Gigi Perez is a cisgender woman.
People often conflate a lower voice or a specific aesthetic with gender identity, but they’re two different things. Gigi identifies as a woman and uses she/her pronouns. Her voice is just a natural, rare gift that gives her music that "old soul" grit. It’s one of those things where people see someone who doesn't fit a hyper-feminine pop-star mold and their brains go into overdrive trying to categorize them.
Why Gigi Perez Matters Right Now
She’s basically the antithesis of the "manufactured" pop star. After being dropped by Interscope Records, she went back to her roots, releasing "Sailor Song" independently before signing with Island Records. That’s a boss move.
She’s proving that you don't have to water down your identity to be successful. You can sing about "getting dirty" and not believing in God but believing in a lover, and still hit the Billboard Hot 100.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re feeling the vibe of Gigi’s music and want to support queer artists or just dive deeper into the genre, here’s how to actually show up:
- Listen to the full album: Don't just stick to the TikTok snippets. "At The Beach, In Every Life" is a journey that deserves a full, front-to-back listen.
- Support her tour: Gigi is heading out on a headline tour in 2026. Catching a live show is the best way to see the "real" her beyond the screen.
- Explore other sapphic artists: If Gigi’s rawness hits home, you’ll probably love artists like Girl in Red, Ethel Cain, or MUNA. They’re all building this incredible space where queer stories are the main event, not a subplot.
At the end of the day, Gigi Perez is just a person trying to make sense of a messy world through her guitar. Whether she's singing about religion, loss, or a girl who looks like a movie star, she’s doing it with an honesty that’s pretty rare these-a-days.
Check out her latest tour dates on her official site or follow her socials to stay updated on new releases.