Christina Perri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christina Perri
Perri in 2022
Born	Christina Judith Perri (1986-08-19) August 19, 1986 (age 39) Bensalem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Spouse(s)	Paul Costabile ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	2
Relatives	Nick Perri (brother)
Musical career
Genres	Pop pop rock children's music
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano keyboards
Labels	Atlantic Elektra
Signature

Christina Judith Perri, born on August 19, 1986, is an American singer and songwriter. She became famous in 2010 when her first song, "Jar of Hearts", was played on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Soon after, she signed with Atlantic Records and released her first collection of songs, The Ocean Way Sessions. Her first full album, Lovestrong (2011), came out next. It sold so many copies that it was certified platinum!

Christina is also well-known for her song "A Thousand Years". This song was the main love theme for the movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012). It sold over 10 million copies in the U.S., earning a Diamond award. Its music video also reached two billion views on YouTube by December 2021. She then released a Christmas collection, A Very Merry Perri Christmas (2012), and her second album, Head or Heart (2014). Christina also created lullaby albums like Songs for Carmella (2019) and Songs for Rosie (2021). Her most recent pop album, A Lighter Shade of Blue, came out in 2022. In 2023, she released Songs for Pixie and another Christmas album, Songs for Christmas.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Christina Perri was born in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Her family has Italian and Polish roots. Her older brother, Nick Perri, is also a musician who played guitar in several bands.

She went to Saint Ephrem Catholic School and then Archbishop Ryan High School, graduating in 2004. At 16, she taught herself to play guitar by watching videos of other musicians. She studied communication in college for a year but left to focus on her music.

As a child, she loved singing and acting in musical theater. Christina says she learned piano and guitar because she missed music when she moved away from home. She found that when she played, new songs would just come to her.

Christina Perri's Music Career

Starting Out in Music

When Christina turned 21, she moved to Los Angeles. It was a big change, and she missed her family a lot. She worked on producing music videos for a while. She later decided to focus completely on her own music, moving into a small apartment to write songs.

By the end of 2009, she moved back to Philadelphia, where she wrote her famous song "Jar of Hearts". She then returned to Los Angeles, working as a waitress during the day and recording her music at night.

Breakthrough with Lovestrong

Perri in a 2011 interview

Christina's song "Jar of Hearts" became very popular after it was used on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance on June 30, 2010. Her friend, Keltie Knight, shared the song with the show's choreographer. Christina was not signed to a record label yet, and she watched the performance in the audience.

After being featured, "Jar of Hearts" quickly sold many copies. It appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a big hit. Because of the song's success, Christina signed with Atlantic Records on July 21, 2010. She released a collection of songs called The Ocean Way Sessions on November 9, 2010.

Her first full album, Lovestrong, came out on May 10, 2011. It quickly reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. In the United Kingdom, Lovestrong was one of the best-selling debut albums of 2011.

In July 2011, Christina started her first world tour, called the Lovestrong Tour. It lasted for about a year and included 71 shows. On October 18, 2011, she released "A Thousand Years" for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 movie soundtrack. This song became her most successful single, selling over 4 million copies in the U.S. and earning a 4x platinum award.

During her Lovestrong Tour, Christina shared that she had started working on her second album. In late 2012, she also opened for Jason Mraz on his North American tour. On August 1, 2012, Christina announced a Christmas collection, A Very Merry Perri Christmas, which came out on October 16, 2012. It included an original song, "Something About December," and four cover songs. She also re-recorded "A Thousand Years" with Steve Kazee for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 soundtrack, calling it "A Thousand Years, Pt. 2". In 2013, Christina received a BMI award for "A Thousand Years".

Head or Heart and Lullaby Albums

Perri on her Head or Heart Tour in Los Angeles, California, in 2014

In 2013, Christina started sharing updates about her second album on social media, using the hashtag #albumtwo. She also worked with the charity To Write Love on Her Arms on a short tour. During these shows, she introduced a new song called "I Believe" from her upcoming album. By June, she announced that her second album was almost ready.

On November 11, 2013, Christina revealed her new song, "Human". It was released on November 18, 2013, and she performed it on The Queen Latifah Show. Her second album, Head or Heart, was released on April 1, 2014. She also opened for Demi Lovato on some of her North American tour dates. Christina then started her own Head or Heart Tour in April 2014. She released another song from the album, "Burning Gold", on June 9, with its music video following on August 1. In December 2014, Christina performed at the "Christmas in Washington" concert.

In 2016, Christina was featured on the song "Brave Enough" from Lindsey Stirling's album. On December 14, 2018, she announced her first lullaby album, Songs for Carmella: Lullabies & Sing-a-Longs. It was dedicated to her daughter and released on Carmella's first birthday, January 17, 2019. In November 2019, she released a special version of her 2012 Christmas collection, with extra songs like "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Let It Snow".

Recent Music: Songs for Rosie and A Lighter Shade of Blue

Christina released her second lullaby album, Songs for Rosie, on November 24, 2021. This album was a special tribute and a companion to Songs for Carmella.

Perri performing at the Grammy Museum in 2022

In March 2022, Christina released "Evergone," the first song from her fifth album. She shared that she waited a year to release it, saying she needed time for herself before helping others. Christina started writing for this album in 2017 but felt something was missing. Working with singer-songwriter Luke Sital-Singh, they wrote a song called "Blue." This song helped her see the full vision for her new album.

Her fifth album, A Lighter Shade of Blue, was released by Elektra Records on July 15, 2022. In August 2024, Christina announced she was writing a children's book based on her 2011 song, "A Thousand Years". She mentioned that people have played the song for their kids for a long time. The book is planned for release on April 1, 2025.

Christina Perri's Family Life

Christina Perri and Paul Costabile got engaged in June 2017 and were married on December 12, 2017. In August 2017, Christina announced she was expecting their first child. Their daughter, Carmella Stanley, was born in January 2018.

In January 2020, Christina shared that she had experienced a pregnancy loss. In July, she announced she was expecting a third time. In November 2020, she shared that her daughter, Rosie, was stillborn. She said Rosie "is at peace now and will live forever in our hearts." In May 2022, Christina announced she was expecting a fourth time. Their daughter, Pixie Rose, was born in October 2022.

Christina shared in 2022 that she has a blood-clotting disorder. She receives daily injections to manage it. She also has more than 50 tattoos.

Christina Perri's Albums

• Lovestrong (2011)
• Head or Heart (2014)
• Songs for Carmella: Lullabies & Sing-a-Longs (2019)
• Songs for Rosie (2021)
• A Lighter Shade of Blue (2022)
• Songs for Pixie (2023)
• Songs for Christmas (2023)

Awards and Recognitions

Concert Tours

Headlining Tours

• Lovestrong Tour (2011–2012)
• Head or Heart Tour (2014)

Co-Headlining Tours

• Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour (with Colbie Caillat and Rachel Platten) (2015)

Opening Act for Other Artists

• Love Is a Four Letter Word Tour (2012)
• Demi World Tour (2014)
• Native Tour (2014)
• x Tour (2015)
• Billy Joel @ Citizen Bank Park (2016)
• Ed Sheeran Tour (2016)

See also

In Spanish: Christina Perri para niños