Who is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson? The music and entertainment world knows Katy Perry, as an American singer-songwriter.Early Life
Perry was October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she grew up in Southern California. Perry is of German and Portuguese descent on her mother's side. She is the second child of two pastors.[6] She has an older sister and younger brother.[5] Perry's mother's aunt and uncle were screenwriter Eleanor Perry and director Frank Perry.[5]Perry was incorporated into her parents' ministry[6] and sang in their church between the ages of nine and seventeen.[4][7] She grew up listening to gospel music,[8] was not allowed to listen to what her mother called "secular music",[7][9] and attended Christian schools and camps.[6] As a child, Perry learned how to dance in a recreation building in Santa Barbara. She was taught by seasoned dancers and began with swing, Lindy Hop, and jitterbug.[10]
Began Music Career
Biography
1984–2006: Early life and career beginnings
At the age of 15, Perry's singing in church attracted the attention of rock veterans from Nashville, Tennessee, who brought her there to polish her writing skills.[12] In Nashville, Perry started recording demos and was taught by country music veterans on how to craft songs and play guitar.[7][9] Perry signed to the Christian music label Red Hill, under which she recorded her first album at the age of 15.[13] Performing as Katy Hudson, she released the self-titled Gospel-rock album in 2001.[5][12] The album was unsuccessful, however, after the label ceased operations at the end of 2001.[13] She later changed her surname to Perry, her mother's maiden name, because "Katy Hudson" was too close to film actress Kate Hudson.[12][14] At the age of 17, Perry left her home for Los Angeles, where she worked with Glen Ballard on an album for record label Island.[15] The album was due for release in 2005,[4][12][13] but Billboard reported it also went nowhere.[13] Perry was dropped by Island Def Jam Music Group.[5] Some of Perry and Ballard's collaborations included "Box", "Diamonds" and "Long Shot", were posted on her official MySpace page. "Simple", one of the songs she recorded with Ballard, was released on the soundtrack to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.[16]
Perry signed to Columbia Records in 2004. However, the label was not amenable with her vision, not putting her in the "driver's seat".[13] Instead, one of Columbia's ideas was to pair Perry with the record production team The Matrix, who was working on an album, to serve as its female vocalist. Although the album was later shelved,[17] she caught the attention of the music press: Her burgeoning music career led to her being named "The Next Big Thing" in October 2004 by Blender magazine.[4][13] With no album project ongoing, Perry began recording her own. Eighty percent completed, however, Columbia decided not to finish it and dropped her off the label.[13] While waiting to find another label, she worked in an independent A&R company called Taxi Music. In 2006, Perry was featured in the tail-end of the video to P.O.D.'s single "Goodbye for Now".[18] She made a cameo appearance in Carbon Leaf's video, "Learn to Fly".
As Katy Hudson, she released a self-titled gospel album in 2001, which due to the closing of her record label, was deemed unsuccessful. She later recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed the majority of a solo album from 2004–5; neither of which were released.
Signing with Capitol Music Group
After signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry and released her first Internet single "Ur So Gay" that November, which garnered public attention but failed to chart. She rose to fame with the release of her second single "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008, which went on to  |
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| Teenage Dream |
Perry was credited as a guest judge on the seventh series of British television show The X Factor; has released a fragrance called "Purr"; and will appear in the upcoming 2011 film The Smurfs.
2007–09: One of the Boys and MTV Unplugged
While in the process of being dropped by Columbia in 2006, the company's publicity executive Angelica Cob-Baehler enthusiastically recommended Perry to Virgin Records chairman Jason Flom.[19] At the time Flom was leading a complete revival in fortunes at the label and looking to crown recent achievements by breaking a global pop act.[19] Despite mixed reactions from fellow Virgin executives, Flom became convinced that Perry could be that breakthrough star, and at the start of 2007 extended discussions with Columbia resulted in Katy Perry signing to the newly created Capitol Music Group, a merger between Virgin and Capitol. As part of the deal the label secured the masters to the unfinished album recorded while at Columbia that would go on form a significant part of her debut album official mainstream debut album, One of the Boys.[19]
The Columbia recordings were seen by Flom as being "very strong but lacking an undeniable smash or two that would work both at U.S. pop radio and internationally" and so one of the executive's first actions after completing the signing was to set up a collaboration between Perry and the writer-producer Dr Luke.[19] The results were the songs "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold". Establishing her image was one of the immediate concerns of her management.[13] A campaign was started in November 2007 with the release of the video to "Ur So Gay", aimed at introducing her to the music market. A digital EP led by "Ur So Gay" was later released to create online buzz and press story.[6][13][20] This was a successful move that resulted in bringing Perry to the attention of Madonna,[13] who mentioned her on KISS FM and KRQ's JohnJay & Rich morning show in Arizona. On March 10, 2008, she appeared as herself on the ABC Family television series, Wildfire, on the episode "Life's Too Short".[21]
She went on the next step of promoting the album, undertaking a two-month tour of radio stations. The album's official lead single, "I Kissed a Girl", was released on May 6, 2008. Perry's A&R, Chris Anokute, told HitQuarters the song and its controversial theme met with strong resistance at the label, "People said, 'This is never going to get played on the radio. How do we sell this? How’s this going to be played in the bible belt?'"[20] Anokute said that they needed the support of one of the label's radio promoters to convince people to believe in the record otherwise Perry would have likely been dropped again. Capitol's SVP of Promotions Dennis Reese saw the vision and helped push the single on national radio. The first station to pick it up and take a chance was The River in Nashville. After playing it for three days they were innundated with enthusiastic calls.[20] With the song climbing atop the charts, Perry embarked on the annual Warped Tour music festival, which her management used to "establish her as a credible performer and make sure she wasn't seen as just a one-hit wonder."[13] The single was a commercial success, peaking at number one for seven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] It has since become a major worldwide hit, topping charts in 30 countries,[17] including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.[22] On June 12, 2008, Perry appeared as herself on the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless,[21] posing for the cover to the June 2008 issue of the fictional magazine Restless Style.[23]One of the Boys was released on June 17, 2008 to mixed critical reviews.[24] The album has reached number nine on the Billboard 200,[25] and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.[26] Perry released her second single, "Hot n Cold", which became her second top three single in dozens of countries around the world, including the United States where it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100,[13] as well as topping the charts in Germany, Canada, and Denmark. After Perry wrapped up her appearance at the Warped Tour, she went on tours in Europe. She later launched her first headlining tour, the Hello Katy Tour, in January 2009.[13] "I Kissed a Girl" earned Perry a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards.[27] Perry was nominated in five categories at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Female Video, but lost to Britney Spears.[28] She won Best New Act at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, which she co-hosted,[29] and Best International Female Artist at the 2009 BRIT Awards.[30] On February 9, 2009, both "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold" were certified three-time platinum by Recording Industry Association of America for individual digital sales of over three million.[31] The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Perry in its 2010 version as the "Best Start on the US Digital Chart by a Female Artist," for having her first two singles sell over two million digital copies.[32]
The Matrix's self-titled debut album, which features Perry, was later released via the team's label, Let's Hear It, during Perry's solo tour. When the release date was scheduled, "I Kissed a Girl" had been charting well. Matrix member Lauren Christy spoke to Perry about the decision, but she wanted to hold the release until the fourth single of One of the Boys had been dispatched. Despite their communication, The Matrix was released on January 27, 2009, via iTunes Store.[33]
On May 16, 2009, Perry performed at the opening ceremony of the annual Life Ball in Vienna, Austria.[36] In June 2009, lawyers acting for Katy Perry opposed the recent trademark of Australian fashion designer Katie Perry who uses her own name to market loungewear.[37] Some media outlets reported this as a lawsuit, which Katy Perry has denied on her blog.[38] Katie Perry the designer reports on her blog that at a hearing with IP Australia on July 10, 2009, the singer's lawyers withdrew their opposition to the trademark.[39] During the summer of 2009 Perry filmed a cameo appearance for Get Him to the Greek; her scene, in which she kisses her future fiancé Russell Brand was cut, and does not appear in the final film. Discussing the issue with MTV, Perry hypothesized there may have been some fear that seeing the two make out would have taken viewers out of the experience.[40] In 2009, Perry was featured on two singles: a remix of Colorado-based band 3OH!3's song "Starstrukk" in August (the idea for the collaboration came after Perry's tour that featured 3OH!3 as the supporting act). The song was released over iTunes on September 8, 2009; and "If We Ever Meet Again", the fourth single off Timbaland's album Shock Value II in December.[41] In October 2009, MTV Unplugged revealed that Perry was one of the artists to perform for them, and that she would be releasing a live album of the performance, including two new tracks, "Brick by Brick" and Fountains of Wayne cover "Hackensack".[42] The album was released on November 17, and includes both a CD and a DVD.[43]
2010–present: Teenage Dream
Perry appeared as a guest judge alongside Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh during the Dublin audition stage of the seventh series of the British television show The X Factor on June 28, 2010[44] (later televised on August 28). She was one of the many celebrities chosen to fulfil the role of judge whilst Dannii Minogue was on maternity leave. She later returned to the show on October 17 to perform "Firework".[45] Perry's second mainstream studio album was titled Teenage Dream[46] and was released in August 2010. The first single from the album was titled "California Gurls". The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the fastest rising single from a Capitol Records artist since Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe" in 1967.[47] The cover art for Teenage Dream is a painting by Will Cotton in which depicts Perry lying naked on clouds of cotton candy; resembling the shots of Perry in the video for "California Gurls".[48] The booklet of the physical edition of the album, in keeping with the theme of cotton candy, has a cotton candy scent.[49] The album's second single "Teenage Dream" was released in July 2010.[50] "Firework" is the album's third single.Katy Perry appeared at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010.[51] She was nominated for two awards and presented the award of "Best Male Video" with Nicki Minaj to Eminem. On September 14, she returned to her old high school, Dos Pueblos High School, where she performed a short set for the school's students.[52][53] Perry performed "Hot n Cold" with Elmo from Sesame Street, which was originally to appear on the forty-first-season premiere of the educational children's program on September 27, 2010. However, four days before the scheduled airing, Sesame Workshop announced, "In light of the feedback we've received on the Katy Perry music video ... we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of Sesame Street, which is aimed at preschoolers. Katy Perry fans will still be able to view the video on YouTube."[54] The main reason was that parents complained about what appeared to be a great amount of cleavage shown by her dress. Perry shot the video for Firework in Budapest in September 2010. An open casting call drew an unprecedented 38,000 applicants.[55] She proceeded to perform at a concert in Budapest on October 1, her first concert in Central and Eastern Europe. Perry has announced her own fragrance to be released in autumn of this year, named "Purr". It will come in a cat-shaped bottle, and will be available through Nordstrom stores.[56][57] 'Teenage Dream led Perry to nominations four awards at the 2011 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Teenage Dream", and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "California Gurls".
Musical style and themes
Perry has a contralto vocal range.[58] Among Perry's musical influences are Alanis Morissette,[8][17] pop rockers Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Shirley Manson,[59] and Freddie Mercury,[7] the late frontman of the British band Queen. Growing up listening to gospel music, Perry had few references when she began recording songs.[7] Asked by the producer with whom she would like to collaborate, Perry had no idea. That night, she went with her mother to a hotel. Inside, she turned on VH1 and saw producer Glen Ballard talking about Morissette;[7] Ballard produced Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, the album that had a "huge influence" on Perry.[12] She told her initial collaborator that she had decided to work with Ballard. The producer arranged a meeting for her and Ballard in Los Angeles. Perry presented him a song, and a day later she was called. Ballard developed Perry for a few years.[7]Perry described her music by saying, "Someone kind of penned it for me the other day, and I've been using it ever since."[7] According to her, she has "changed a lot between the ages of 15 to 23."[6] Her first album dwells on Gospel music.[6][13] She related that her perspective in music was "a bit enclosed and very strict", and everything she did was church-related.[6] Her second album, One of the Boys, is described as "secular" and "rock," and reflects a departure from her religious musical roots.[60] Perry expects to record more pop songs for her next album.[10][61]
Perry is artistically involved in her projects, especially in the writing process. Since she could play guitar, she would start writing songs at home and present it to her producers. Perry is mostly inspired by specific moments of her life. She said it is easy for her to write songs about heartbreak.[7] Most of the themes in One of the Boys deal with heartbreak, teen adventure, and "puking into toilets".[12] Perry's mother reportedly told British tabloid Daily Mail that she dislikes her daughter's music, calling it "shameful and disgusting".[6][62] Perry said her mother was misquoted and told MTV that it was false information.[62] Her songs "Ur So Gay" and "I Kissed a Girl" have received negative reactions from both religious and gay sectors.[62] The songs have been respectively labeled as being homophobic and promoting homosexuality, as well as "lez ploitational".[6] MTV mentioned criticism suggesting that Perry is using "bi-curiosity" as a way to sell records.[62] Perry responded to the controversy surrounding "Ur So Gay": "It's not a negative connotation. It's not, 'you're so gay,' like, 'you're so lame,' but the fact of the matter is that this boy should've been gay. I totally understand how it could be misconstrued or whatever ... It wasn't stereotyping anyone in particular, I was talking about ex-boyfriends."[63]
Public image
Perry is known for her unconventional style of dress.[10] It is often humorous, bright in color, and reminiscent of different decades, and she frequently uses fruit-shaped accessories, mainly watermelon, as part of her outfits.[59] Having learned dancing at an early age, she fantasized about having her own style. Perry's transformation into an artist began with fashion, inspired by American film actress Dominique Swain's portrayal in 1997 film adaptation of the novel Lolita.[12] She defines her fashion style as "a bit of a concoction of different things".[10] Johnny Wujek, Perry's stylist, described her style, upon meeting her for the first time, as "very colorful and vintage".[64] Her fashion has caught the attention of designers.[6][59] In June 2008, a publicity photo that showed Perry posing with a switchblade was criticized.[65] The picture was defended as only an effort to give Perry a "sexy, harder edge".[65] The criticism leveled at her was mocked by Perry who subsequently posed with a spoon instead.[66] She has appeared in FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women poll twice, ranking at #23 in 2009 and #37 in 2010.[67]Personal life
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Discography
Main article: Katy Perry discography
- Katy Hudson (2001)
- One of the Boys (2008)
- Teenage Dream (2010)
Tours
- Hello Katy Tour (2009)
- California Dreams Tour (2011)
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Young and the Restless | Herself | Episode 8914 |
| 2008 | Wildfire | Herself | "Life's Too Short" (Season 4, episode 8) |
| 2010 | American Idol | Guest judge | "Season 9, episode 5" |
| 2010 | The X Factor | Guest judge | "Series 7, episode 2" |
| 2010 | Sesame Street | Herself | Online special (deleted from televised episode due to viewer controversy) |
| 2010 | The Simpsons | Herself | 1 episode, "The Fight Before Christmas" |
| 2011 | How I Met Your Mother | Honey | 1 episode, "Oh Honey" |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Get Him to the Greek | Herself | Deleted scene Uncredited |
| 2011 | The Smurfs | Smurfette | Voice |
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