About Katy Perry
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California, the daughter of Christian pastor parents. She listened strictly to gospel music growing up, and sang in her church for many years. Her parents also enrolled her in voice lessons for many years, realizing that she had a natural gift for music. Katy earned her GED certificate when she was a high school freshman, and then started to pursue music as her career. Her first release was a self-titled gospel album in 2001, released under the name Katy Hudson, but the record label closed that year and did not support it. She also recorded a production album, and most of a solo offering in 2004-2005, but neither was released.
After sorting through record labels and landing on her fourth in seven years, she signed with Capitol Music Group in 2007, changed her stage name to Katy Perry, and released her single, I Kissed a Girl, in 2008. This song topped international music charts and received multi-platinum certification. Her second album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Katy has become well known for combining wild colors, vintage clothing, and often fruits, like watermelon, in her wardrobe. She has listed Alanis Morissette, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Freddie Mercury, and Pat Benatar as musical influences.
Katy had a long relationship with Travie McCoy, and he was the subject of her Circle the Drain song in 2010. They broke up in 2009, and she married actor Russell Brand on October 23, 2010.
Katy’s next endeavor is to make her film debut as Smurfette, in a big-screen adaptation of the long-running cartoon show, with Neil Patrick Harris, George Lopez, and Jonathan Winters.
