Mikaela Mullaney Straus, known by her stage name King Princess, is a dynamic American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Signed to Mark Ronson’s Zelig Records, an imprint of Columbia Records, King Princess first captured attention with her debut single “1950” in February 2018. The track, a heartfelt tribute to queer love inspired by Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, achieved commercial success, charting globally and earning platinum certification from the RIAA. Her subsequent single, “Talia,” was certified gold in Australia.
King Princess’s debut EP, Make My Bed, released in June 2018, cemented her place in the music industry, earning her Breakout Pop Artist of the Year honors from Vivid Seats. Her debut studio album, Cheap Queen, arrived in 2019 to critical acclaim, showcasing her signature blend of pop, indie, rock, and funk-pop.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Straus spent her childhood immersed in music at her father’s recording studio, Mission Sound, where she learned multiple instruments and production techniques. Influenced by rock legends like Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, and Jack White, she was awarded a scholarship to Avenues: The World School in Manhattan in 2012, based on a CD of her original songs. After briefly studying at USC Thornton School of Music, she chose to focus on her music career.
In 2022, King Princess released her second album, Hold On Baby, and embarked on a North American tour with notable performances, including opening for Kacey Musgraves, Shawn Mendes, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. She also appeared as a judge on Netflix’s Is It Cake?.
