biography about katy perry

American pop singer Katy Perry is known for hits like 'I Kissed a Girl,' 'Teenage Dream,' 'Firework' and 'Dark Horse.'

1984-present

Who Is Katy Perry?

American pop singer Katy Perry initially attempted to break into the music business with a gospel album. Her image radically changed by the time of her 2008 smash single "I Kissed a Girl," from One of the Boys , and she went on to top the charts with the follow-up albums Teenage Dream , Prism and Witness . Perry is also known for her performance during the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show, her marriage to comedian Russell Brand and her selection as a judge for American Idol .

Early Life and Musical Aspirations

Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born on October 25, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California. Fans might be surprised to learn that the singer who writes about sexual exploration in "I Kissed a Girl" grew up in a very conservative family. Both of her parents are pastors, and they refused to let her listen to any rock or popular music. "The only things I was allowed to listen to were the Sister Act 1 and 2 soundtracks," Perry told Entertainment Weekly . She and her two siblings were also not permitted to watch such cable channels as MTV and VH1.

Perry started taking singing lessons around the age of 9 and learned to play guitar when she was 13. Around this time, she began rebelling against her strict upbringing by piercing her own nose. She soon became interested in pursuing a career in music.

With her mother, Perry made several trips to Nashville to record a gospel album, Katy Hudson , which was released in 2001. "It reached literally maybe 100 people, and then the label went bankrupt," Perry explained to Entertainment Weekly .

As a teenager, Perry was exposed to other musical influences. One friend introduced her to the music of Queen, which remains one of her favorite groups. "I'm very inspired by Freddie Mercury and how flamboyant and theatrical he was," she told fashion magazine WWD .

In high school, she strove to be her own person, choosing not to limit herself to one social group. "I was a hop-around. I hung out with the rockabilly crew, the guys who were trying to be rappers, the funny kids," she told Seventeen magazine.

Focused on her music, Perry got her GED and moved to Los Angeles to work with producer and songwriter Glen Ballard, who had collaborated with such artists as Christina Aguilera and Alanis Morissette. She was only 17 years old at the time, and being on her own proved tough. "It was five years of living in L.A. with no money, writing bad checks, selling my clothes to make rent, [and] borrowing money," she told Seventeen .

Perry also experienced a string of disappointments before getting her big break. She and Ballard were unable to find a record company willing to take them on, and her 2004 collaboration with music producers-turned-performers The Matrix was scrapped shortly before the project was to be released. After having three record deals fall apart, Perry finally signed with Capitol Records in 2007.

Albums and Songs

'one of the boys'.

Following the November 2007 release of the single "Ur So Gay," which caught the attention of Madonna , Perry saw her career take off with her next effort, "I Kissed a Girl." The song hit the top of the charts in the summer of 2008, propelling Perry's album, One of the Boys , into the Billboard Top 10. A follow-up single, "Hot n Cold," also charted highly.

Along with earning a Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy nomination, Perry became famous for her theatricality. On the Warped Tour, she performed "I Kissed a Girl" with a giant tube of lip balm, referencing a line in the song. Perry has also jumped into a larger-than-life cake and appeared in a number of wild outfits while onstage. Describing her style as " Lucille Ball meets Bob Mackie," she told Esquire , "It's about innuendo. I want everybody to get the joke, but I want them to think about it for a minute."

In 2009, Perry appeared in her own acoustic special on MTV. The soundtrack from the show, Katy Perry: MTV Unplugged , was released around the same time.

'Teenage Dream'

Picking up where she left off, Perry released a new single with Snoop Dogg , "California Gurls," in May 2010. The single shot to the top of the charts, paving the way for its accompanying studio album, Teenage Dream , to do the same.

Perry's follow-up singles, "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "E.T." and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" all followed the path of "California Gurls," making Perry just the second artist, after Michael Jackson , to have five No. 1 hits from a single album.

In 2012, she released a new edition of her hit album, called Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection . The record had several new tracks, including the successful singles "Part of Me" and "Wide Awake."

Perry continued to dominate the music charts with 2013's Prism . The album's lead single, "Roar," climbed to No. 1, and "Dark Horse," her collaboration with Juicy J, also spent several weeks in the top spot, pushing Perry past Mariah Carey for most total weeks with a No. 1 hit (46). The album's fifth and final single, "This Is How We Do," featuring Riff Raff, also performed well.

A few months after the release of "Chained to the Rhythm," with Skip Marley, Perry dropped her latest studio effort, Witness , in June 2017. Witness debuted in the top spot, giving the artist her third straight No. 1 album.

Despite the announcement of the supporting Witness: The Tour, scheduled to run from September 2017 to August 2018, the album's sales dropped in the following weeks; after her previous three albums racked up a combined 17 million in sales, Witness was at a relatively modest total of 840,000 as of January 2018.

The artist was back with new music by 2019, beginning with her collaboration with Zedd on "365." She then teamed with Daddy Yankee and Snow for a remix of "Con Calma," before unveiling her new solo single, "Never Really Over," in May.

'American Idol' Judge

In May 2017, Perry was announced as the first judge selected for the reboot of American Idol . She was later joined by country star Luke Bryan and R&B and pop singer Lionel Richie , with Ryan Seacrest also agreeing to return as host.

Perry had previously served as a guest judge on Idol in 2009, temporarily replacing Paula Abdul. Since then, she had turned down offers to appear on other singing competition shows, like The X Factor .

The pop star immediately made waves for her behavior during the two-part premiere of season 16 in March 2018: At one point she fell while dancing on stage in high heels, and at another moment she smooched a shy contestant who said he was saving his first kiss for someone special, drawing the ire of many on social media.

Perry later returned with Bryan, Richie and Seacrest for seasons 17 and 18.

Super Bowl Halftime Show

On February 1, 2015, Perry was the featured performer during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show. Along with appearances by guest artists Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott , the show was remembered for the seeming mismatched choreography of two dancers in shark costumes while Perry belted out "Teenage Dream." Overall, the performance drew a reported 118.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show to date.

'Dark Horse' Copyright Infringement

In 2014, songwriters Marcus Gray, Emanuel Lambert and Chike Ojukwu filed a lawsuit alleging that Perry's hit "Dark Horse" copied the trio's Christian rap song "Joyful Noise," released in 2009 under Gray's stage name, Flame.

In July 2019, a federal jury in a Los Angeles ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, with Perry, her five credited co-writers and the four corporations that released and distributed "Dark Horse" all found liable for copyright infringement. The following month, Perry and her collaborators were ordered to pay $2.78 million in compensation.

However, the verdict was overturned upon appeal in March 2020, with a federal judge determining that the disputed portion of "Dark Horse" — an eight-note ostinato that runs through much of the song — was not distinctive enough to be protected by copyright laws.

Movies and Other Endeavors

The artist was the subject of the autobiographical documentary Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012), which featured behind-the-scenes footage and clips of young Perry along with her dazzling concert performances. She also voiced the character of Smurfette for The Smurfs (2011) and The Smurfs 2 (2013) and made a cameo as herself in Zoolander 2 (2016).

In 2014, Perry also launched her own music label, Metamorphosis Music, as a subsidiary of Capitol. The label changed its name to Unsub Records in 2016.

After visiting Madagascar on behalf of UNICEF in April 2013, Perry became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador late in the year. In February 2020, she was named an ambassador of the British Asian Trust by Britain's Prince Charles .

Personal Life

In 2009, Perry made tabloid headlines for her relationship with British comedian Russell Brand. They were engaged over the New Year's holiday while on a trip to India, and on October 23, 2010, the couple married in India in a traditional Hindu ceremony. According to The Times of India , the wedding featured a procession of camels, elephants and horses, plus fire jugglers, snake charmers, dancers and musicians. Their union, however, did not last long, as Brand filed for divorce in December 2011.

Perry has also been romantically linked to musicians John Mayer and Diplo, as well as actor Orlando Bloom . On February 15, 2019, she announced her engagement to Bloom with an Instagram photo that showed her flower-shaped ring. Just after midnight on March 5, Perry delivered another surprise announcement by revealing a baby bump at the end of her new video for "Never Worn White."

Feud With Taylor Swift

Perry and Taylor Swift , who both dated John Mayer, ended their friendship after Perry allegedly tried to poach some of Swift's tour dancers. Perry's song "Swish Swish" is apparently about the feud. “I think it's a great anthem for people to use when someone's trying to hold you down, or bully you,” Perry said. "I think ‘Swish’ is a liberation from all the negative that doesn't serve you.”

On May 8, 2018, Perry put an end to their feud by extending an olive branch — literally, she sent Swift an actual olive branch — with a note that said, "I’ve been doing some reflecting on past miscommunication and hurt feelings between us."

QUICK FACTS

• Name: Katy Perry
• Birth date: October 25, 1984
• Birth State: California
• Birth City: Santa Barbara
• Astrological Sign: Scorpio
• School: Dos Pueblos High School

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

• The only things I was allowed to listen to were the 'Sister Act' 1 and 2 soundtracks.
• Ultimately I want Katy Perry to be as much of a household name as Madonna.

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Musical Journey and Fame

The rise of a star, "one of the boys" and chart domination, "prism," "roar," and "dark horse", forbes and moschino, personal life and relationships, charity and activism, "american idol" and acting, controversy and future endeavors.

American singer-songwriter Katy Perry rose to extraordinary popularity in 2008 with the release of "I Kissed a Girl," a chart-topping hit not only in the United States but also in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and beyond. Born in California on October 25, 1984, Perry's passion for music began at an early age through her church choir.

After graduating from Pueblos High School, Perry ventured to California in 2003 at the age of seventeen. In 2001, she released her debut album under the Red Hill Records label, introducing herself to a growing fan base. By 2004, Perry's prolific songwriting had caught the attention of the music industry, earning her recognition as a rising talent.

In 2006, Perry featured on P.O.D.'s single "Goodbye for Now," further solidifying her success. Her official debut album, "One of the Boys," was released in 2008, featuring collaborations with Greg Wells, Dr. Luke, and Max Martin. The lead single, "I Kissed a Girl," soared up the charts, reaching the top 100 worldwide.

Perry's 2013 album, "Prism," featured hits such as "Unconditionally" and "This is How We Do." She broke the billion-view threshold on two music videos on YouTube's VEVO platform with "Roar" and "Dark Horse" from the same album. In 2015, she performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, delivering one of the most successful performances in the event's history.

Recognized as a top earner by Forbes in 2015 with $135 million in income, Perry also ranked 24th on the Billboard Hot 100. Her success extended beyond music into fashion, as she became the official face of the brand Moschino.

Perry has had relationships with Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes, Russell Brand, whom she married in 2010 but divorced two years later, John Mayer, and Orlando Bloom, with whom she is currently in a relationship.

Katy Perry is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She donated $1 million to Donors Choose in 2016.

In 2018, Perry joined the judging panel of the 16th season of "American Idol" on FOX. Her acting skills have been showcased in her music videos and collaborations.

Perry faced controversy in 2017 when she attempted to purchase a former convent in Los Angeles, prompting legal disputes with the elderly nuns residing there. The building was eventually sold to Perry, and one of the nuns passed away during the legal proceedings.

Today, Katy Perry continues to make waves in the music industry, exploring new collaborations and staying true to her passion for music. Beyond her musical endeavors, she remains dedicated to her philanthropic efforts and the pursuit of her various interests.

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• 38 wins & 111 nominations total

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Personal details

• Apple Music
• Katy Hudson
• 5′ 8″ (1.73 m)
• October 25 , 1984
• Santa Barbara, California, USA
• Russell Brand October 23, 2010 - July 16, 2012 (divorced)
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• Trivia Katy once described herself as "a fatter version of Amy Winehouse and a skinnier version of Lily Allen ". Later, Allen took offense to the statement and threatened to release Perry's personal phone number.
• Quotes If people want a role model, they can have Miley Cyrus .
• Trademarks Colorful outfits and wigs
• American Idol ( 2002 ) $25,000,000 per season
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Katy Perry - Biography

Katy perry came onto the music scene with a valid challenge for the pop princess crown.

"I wanted to be that quirky girl who writes funny songs that still have meaning," said Katy Perry, looking back on her life before she became one of the world's most famous women. It's safe to say the California dreamer achieved her goal...

Born Katheryn Hudson in Santa Barbara, California, Katy was raised by deeply religious – and strict – parents, and honed her musical talent while singing in church choirs as a youngster.

But for a girl whose mum and dad didn't allow her to watch MTV when she was growing up, she sure knows her way around a catchy, big-chorused pop song.

The brunette songstress burst into the big time in May 2008 with her cheeky anthem I Kissed A Girl , and a kitsch, fun, girly image that the music world had been crying out for for years. However, the song nearly didn't get released. "[My record company] said, ‘We don’t see it as a single; we don’t want it on the album’. And I was like, ‘You guys are idiots’," Katy has said. "I always try and make a lasting impression and I work very hard. My father has a saying, ‘You can’t be a flash in the pan’." 

Thanks to the savvy singer's determination, the song became a worldwide smash hit. It was the same tactic she employed to land herself a record deal in the first place. She didn't hit the big time until she was 23."

I had a very strong vision and some record companies didn’t like that, but I waited for the right one and took a chance. I was lucky because it doesn’t always pay off." Katy had actually already recorded an album; a self-titled Gospel rock offering that flopped. After the experience she changed her surname to Perry – believing that Katy Hudson sounded too much like the Hollywood actress Kate Hudson – and set off for a career-making move to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Her major-label debut album One Of The Boys – which she described as her "baby" - followed suit, and singles Hot n Cold  and Waking Up In Vegas stormed the charts. 

She worked tirelessly promoting the record and touring, before releasing her follow-up album Teenage Dream in 2010. The kooky star, as ever, had her personality stamped all over the CD. The cover art was a portrait of her lying naked on a candy floss cloud, and the disc itself was candy floss-scented. 

Lead single California Gurls – on which she collaborated with West Coast rap mogul Snoop Dogg - was another summer anthem, which she followed with singles Teenage Dream and Firework . Katy's life had changed considerably in the time between her two albums, though, and this was apparent in her music. "My new songs are a little bit more mature," she revealed. "I know how to handle boys now. Actually, I don't even mess with boys anymore, I mess with men." 

While at the time Teenage Dream  received mixed critical reviews, it was immensely popular and the album's lasting legacy has been one as a defining pop record; it has since been described as "pop perfection".

Not long after the global sensation of Teenage Dream,  Katy set to work on Prism , which was set to have darker elements following her marriage's end. The album was full of anthems like 'Roar' and 'Unconditionally', as well as more jaded songs like 'Dark Horse'. Like Teenage Dream,  it was a global success.

Witness,  Katy's fifth studio album, garnered a mixed reception as she appeared to attempt "purposeful pop". The singer shed her on-stage persona, embracing what she called her "authentic" self, as she started going by her real name, Katheryn Hudson. She retired her long, dark hair for a short pixie cut and adopted her natural blonde hair colour instead.

Three years after Witness,  Katy released Smile.  Arguably the record was performed worse commercially, but it was characterized by themes of self-help and empowerment. Since then, Katy has gone on to perform at the Coronation Concert of Charles III the following May at Windsor Castle and hosted a concert residency named Play at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Personal life

And not just any old men. She had got engaged to British bad boy comic Russell Brand. "When he was filming Get Him to the Greek , I did a cameo with him," she has said. "My scene called for me to make out with him. And on the way down the stairs after the scene, I was hopping like a bunny. I hop like a bunny when I'm happy - I get a bit childlike." 

The scene was cut from the final movie, but in September 2009 their onscreen passion bubbled over into real life, and the two embarked upon a relationship after their paths crossed once more at the MTV Video Music Awards. It was no secret that notorious womanizer – and former heroin addict and alcoholic – Russell had a soft spot for Katy. 

"Katy Perry didn't win an award and she's staying at the same hotel as me, so she's going to need a shoulder to cry on. So in a way, I'm the real winner tonight," he joked to the audience. The couple began quietly dating, and got engaged just four months into their relationship after Russell staged a romantic, extravagant proposal in India over New Year. 

On October 23, 2010, just two days before the bride's 26th birthday, the couple tied the knot in a sumptuous ceremony involving elephants, camels and horses in India - at the Aman-e-Khas resort outside the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary. "The very private and spiritual ceremony, attended by the couple's closest family and friends, was performed by a Christian minister and long time friend of the Hudson Family," said a spokesman for the couple.

The marriage did not last long. As Katy Perry peaked as a popstar sensation, Russell continuously affirmed he wanted to settle down and have a family. This seemed to bubble over as notoriously, Brand sent her a text requesting a divorce right before she was due to perform a show on her tour. The marriage ended in 2012 and not long after she dated John Mayer.

Katy found her happily ever after with actor Orlando Bloom, who she started dating in 2016; the couple got engaged in 2019 and she gave birth to a daughter named Daisy Dove Bloom.

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