Katy Perry has been a pop sensation since her debut single “I Kissed A Girl” in 2008. Since then she’s released hit after hit and made an impact on the pop-music landscape.
Here are 42 hot and cold facts about Katy Perry.
Katy Perry Facts
1. Confusion
Katy Perry isn’t her real name, it’s actually Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson and her debut album was released as Katy Hudson. The album was unsuccessful and she changed her stage name to Katy Perry to avoid being confused with the actor Kate Hudson. Perry is Katy’s mother’s maiden name.
2. Religious Upbringing
Born on October 25th 1984 to two pastor parents. She started her singing career at the age of nine, singing in her parents’ church until she was 17. She grew up listening strictly Christian music, eventually being inspired by Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”
3. If At First You Don’t Succeed
Katy’s first self titled album Katy Hudson was released in 2001 and was entirely Christian rock. Though the album only sold 200 copies, she was not deterred and kept trying, eventually switching over to pop music. It took another 7 years before she made her breakthrough with “I Kissed A Girl.”
4. Leave The Nest
Katy left home when she was 17 to pursue a career in music. She signed to Island Def Jam’s record label after moving to Los Angeles. The album she was set to release with them never saw the light of day.
5. Famous Friends
Katy dated Gym Class Heroes’ lead singer Travis McCoy for several years, eventually splitting in 2009. The two were still dating when Katy made her breakthrough with “I Kissed A Girl,” and Travis even made a cameo in the video.
6. Famous Footsteps
Katy is the only singer to have 5 number 1 hits from the same album since Michael Jackson. Not bad for someone who’s first album didn’t even reach 1000 people.
7. 3Documentary
Katy Perry’s 3D concert/bio Katy Perry: Part Of Me was released by MTV studios in 2012. It was the second MTV movie to get a PG rating (the first being Napoleon Dynamite), and the first documentary from the studio to get that rating.
8. Operatic
Katy studied Italian Opera for a short while before transitioning into pop, and has a contralto vocal range. The term contralto refers to the lowest-pitched variety of female voice.
9. Move On
After her split with Travis McCoy, Katy got engaged to Russell Brand in December of 2009. The two were only dating since September of that year. Russell wanted the two to get married in India atop an elephant while watching fireworks. Sad to say that idea fizzled out.
10. Cut
Katy was supposed to make an appearance in Russell’s 2010 movie Get Him To The Greek, but her scene was eventually cut from the film. Had she made the final cut, Get Him To The Greek would have been her big screen debut.
11. Inspired
Her debut single “I Kissed A Girl” was inspired by Scarlett Johansson.
12. Cat
Katy Perry has a cat named Kitty Purry, and another cat named Monkey. Unfortunately for Monkey, Kitty Purry is the only one of the two to have a successful blog. Kitty was even nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Choice Celebrity Pet, but didn’t win. It’s ok, it must have been an honour to simply have been nominated.
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13. Move On Part II
After their marriage in 2010, Katy Perry filed for divorce from her then husband Russell Brand in 2011, almost exactly one year from the day they got married.
14. No Thanks
Katy was supposedly offered $20 million to join American Idol’s 12th season as a judge, but declined the offer to work on her own projects.
15. Ladies First
For her 28th birthday, Katy got to have lunch with the then First Lady Michelle Obama. No word on whether they kissed, but we have a feeling Katy would have liked it had.
16. Fatty Perry
Katy Perry once described herself as the fatter Amy Winehouse and the skinnier Lily Allen. Allen took offense to this (obviously), and threatened to release Katy’s personal phone number on social media. Lily eventually cooled off and Katy’s privacy was safe.
17. Kissed A Girl
After Katy Perry performed on The View, host Whoopi Goldberg gave Katy a kiss on the lips and proclaimed “I liked it.” The studio audience liked it too.
18. Ghost Writer
Katy isn’t just a famous singer, she’s also a skilled song writer. She’s written songs for Selena Gomez, Ashley Tisdale, and even Kelly Clarkson. Way to go Katy!
19. Inked
Katy has gotten a tattoo for each album she’s released. It started with a strawberry for “One Of The Boys,” then she got a peppermint for “Teenage Dream.” She even brought a tattoo artist on tour with her, and opened it up to everyone working on her tour, including her dancers and stage crew.
20. Irresistible
Whenever Katy bumps into TV hunk Mario Lopez, she can’t help herself but to poke his delightful dimples. Mario doesn’t seem to mind though.
21. Busy Year
In 2011 Katy released her signature fragrance called Purr by Katy Perry that came complete in a cat shaped bottle. That same year, Katy released a Katy Perry Barbie doll with Mattel.
22. Fan Fave
In June of 2017, Katy Perry became the first person to have 100 million Twitter followers, beating out Barack Obama, Justin Bieber, and even Donald Trump.
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23. Stylish
Katy has been known to have her own unique style, often wearing zany outfits and changing her hair color. Katy also likes to dress up in outfits from different decades, and has made a habit of using fruit in her outfits.
24. One Love
Katy has been a huge supporter of gay rights from the beginning, despite her strict religious upbringing. She voted no on Prop 8, which was an amendment in California to declare marriage be between a man and a woman, and supported then President Obama to legalize gay marriage. Nicely done Katy.
25. World Record Holder
Katy Perry entered The Guinness Book Of World Records in 2010 after her first two singles sold over 2 million digital copies. Her official record is “Best Start On The US Digital Charts By A Female Artist.”
26. Copy Kat
When Katy first started with Columbia Records, Avril Lavigne was a big star. So much so that Columbia Records wanted Katy to mimic Avril’s punk style. Katy rejected the idea, instead opting for her own unique style. Good choice Katy.
27. Inked Part II
Aside from her album tattoos, Katy has two more tattoos. One is the word “Jesus” on her left wrist, and the other is “Go With The Flow” in sanskrit on her left arm. Her previously mentioned strawberry and peppermint tattoos are on her left and right foot respectively.
28. Inappropriate
Katy is known to be a celebrity that might say or do something deemed inappropriate for children to see. That’s why when she was brought on to be a guest on Sesame Street, many parents were concerned. Eventually her guest appearance was deemed inappropriate for children because of Katy’s outfit and the segment never made it to air, but you can still find it on Youtube.
29. Fitty Perry
Katy Perry has a very fit body, but she only uses one simple tool to make sure it stays that way. Can you guess what it is? It’s a jump rope.
30. Strange Past(ors)
Despite both her parents being Pastors, they lead interesting lives before starting their religious lives. Katy’s mom was in a relationship with Jimi Hendrix, while Katy’s dad was formerly a drug dealer. That’s a 180 degree turn if we ever saw one.
31. Personal Touch
Katy Perry is a huge fan of CD mixes despite the technology being outdated. Katy is known to make personalized CD mixes for all of her close friends who have said that she has great taste in music.
32. Godliness
Katy isn’t like most celebrities. Her idea of fun is staying in and cleaning the house for the sake of fun, often taking great joy in chores like vacuuming and washing the dishes.
33. Gifts
When Katy Perry is done with her tours, all her amazing outfits are gifted to any backstage crew who want them. Surprisingly, none of these outfits have made their way to eBay, yet.
34. Fan Fave Part II
Katy Perry’s debut single “I Kissed A Girl” is still a huge fan favorite, often performing it at all her shows despite performing newer albums. Fans even throw cherry chapstick on stage when she starts singing the song.
35. Queenly Influence
Katy Perry has said multiple times that the late Queen singer Freddy Mercury was a huge inspiration for her. Katy even dressed up as the iconic singer for Halloween one year.
36. Famous Friends Part II
Katy Perry has become very close friends with former Beatle Paul McCartney. The two where even on The Graham Norton Show together, where Paul told Katy that he and his 10 year old daughter love her song “Firework.”
37. Baby Perry
Katy Perry once helped her older sister deliver her baby with a natural water-birth. Katy even recorded it on her iPhone. Luckily, she didn’t post the video on instagram.
38. Teenage Dropout
After only a few months in high school, Katy opted to complete her GED so that she could pursue a career in music instead. While we don’t recommend this for everyone, we sure are glad Katy did.
39. Fanatic
Katy Perry is a big fan of both Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. Don’t believe us? Katy owns locks of both singers’ hair, and even kept them in her purse for a time. This one’s a bit creepy, to be honest.
40. Loud Music?
While she was dating singer John Mayer, the pair were so loud in bed that neighbors often complained about it.
41. Young Start
At the age of 15, she caught the eye of a music producer from Nashville who saw her in a church choir. She was taken to Nashville to help develop her writing, as well as teach her how to play the guitar, which she can play very well.