13 of Pop Music's Best Queer Duets

Legendary music happens when the girls and the gays work together!

We all know how much magic happens whenever anyone in the queer community puts their hands on literally anything. Even more magic happens when queer artists come together and collab to make some downright pop gold.

In no particular order, here are 13 of the best duets from some of our all-time favorite LGBTQ+ artists (and allies)!

Sam Smith & Kim Petras, "Unholy"

I don't think anyone in the world was ready for Sam Smith and Kim Petras dropping "Unholy," a song about a man who cheats on his wife at the body shop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq9gPaIzbe8

Kim Petras & Nicki Minaj, "Alone"

While we're on the topic of Kim Petras, this trans goddess is climbing the charts more and more with each passing hit. Her duet with Nicki Minaj, "Alone," heavily sampled 1998's "Better off Alone" by Alice Deejay and is one of the best dance tracks of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_5AbgHmFqk

Elton John & Britney Spears, "Hold Me Closer"

We might not have gotten a music video from their remake of Elton John's 1971 hit, "Tiny Dancer," but this iconic duet came at a time when Britney Spears was largely out of the public eye, at least for her music, and represented a fresh comeback from the singer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz50KmOzPHM

Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road"

While "Old Town Road" is technically classified as a country hit, it also put Lil Nas X on the map and without it, we may have never been introduced to Montero. What a sad world that would be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7qovpFAGrQ

Whitney Houston & George Michael, "If I Told You That"

Though both Whitney and George have since passed on, their duet from Whitney's Greatest Hits album is still a hallmark moment in pop history, especially when it came to out, LGBTQ+ representation in the late '90s music scene!  

Elton John & RuPaul, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"

The openly gay music icon and the drag legend got together in 1994 to rerecord the classic track (which Elton originally released in the '70s) and the music video is one of the gayest, campiest things to ever exist! 

Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera, "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely"

Yes, Xtina and Ricky did a song together for his 2000 album Sound Loaded, and yes, it is one of the most gloriously early-00s tracks ever!

Halsey & Lauren Jauregui, "Strangers"

The bisexual singers duked it out in the Romeo & Juliet-themed music video for their collab "Strangers," one of the singles from Halsey critically-acclaimed 2017 album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, instantly cementing their status as bi-icons!

Hayley Kiyoko & Kehlani, "What I Need"

Lesbian Jesus and the queer "Honey" singer's duet "What I Need" instantly gave us all the feels when they released the track back in 2018—or 20-GAY-teen, rather!

Sam Smith & Demi Lovato, "I'm Ready"

For their latest single, entitled "I'm Ready," the Oscar-winning singer-songwriter teamed up with fellow queer pop phenom Demi Lovato to create what is probably the most fabulous, sporty, and queer AF music video to possibly ever exist. 

Sam Smith & Normani, "Dancing with a Stanger"

It's obvious Sam loves to collaborate, and when they worked with former Fifth Harmony member and LGBTQ+ ally Normani, one of the best pop songs in recent history was made!

Troye Sivan & Ariana Grande, "Dance to This"

Pop's twink prince and reigning princess teamed up for this synthy, sensual, and mellow duet back in 2018, and it's been on our minds ever since.

Charli XCX & Christine and the Queens, "Gone"

2019 was a great year for queer pop collabs, and one of the standouts was definitely "Gone" by French, pansexual, genderqueer singer Christine and the Queens and gay-favorite Charli XCX.