We love a history-making moment. And Ethel Cain has given us reason to celebrate, becoming the first out trans artist to earn a top 10 album on the Billboard 200 chart.
Cain’s 2022 alt-pop debut, Preacher’s Daughter, entered the Billboard 200 charts at number 10 following the recent release of the album on vinyl. The acclaimed record, undeniably a smash-hit success, “centered around the character Ethel Cain.”
The concept album tells the story of a teenager and preacher’s daughter struggling to come to terms with her sexuality in her hometown in the American South. Cain – the stage name of Hayden Silas Anhedönia – also tries to leave her religious upbringing behind. However, she falls into an abusive relationship and is eventually eaten by her partner.
Ethel Cain becomes the first openly transgender artist to earn a top 10 album on the Billboard 200. pic.twitter.com/cC5mxA5l9u
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 13, 2025
The Guardian described the album as “evocative goth-pop with emotional heft.” Meanwhile, Pitchfork commented the album “softens some of Ethel Cain’s more subversive edges, humanizing a character that Hayden Anhedönia first envisioned as a cult leader.”
The album saw Cain acquire a large and loyal fanbase who lapped up her EP Perverts, released in January. Described as “not for everybody,” the album was a sharp departure from the 2022 release but was also widely celebrated.
And in March the artist announced a new upcoming album titled Willoughby Tucker I’ll Always Love You.
It’s thought the album will build on a narrative established in Preacher’s Daughter. The album title references Cain’s fictional first boyfriend featured on the earlier album.
The album artwork Cain posted features a sepia-toned picture of a man sitting in the woods.
Originally from Florida, Ethel Cain came out as gay to her family when she was 12 and later came out as a trans woman when she was 20.
She previously told Pitchfork: “As I got older, I found out there were other options. It was made clear to everyone that I was not like other people. Whenever I started to develop, I started to come into my own as a trans woman. We were a house divided—it was me versus my whole town.”
Cain now identifies as bisexual and was diagnosed with autism as an adult.
Ethel Cain’s international tour will begin in August 2025 and run until November across North America and Europe.
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