Katy Perry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katy Perry
Perry in 2024
Born	Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (1984-10-25) October 25, 1984 (age 40) Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Other names	Katy Hudson Katheryn Perry
Occupation	Singer songwriter TV personality
Years active	2001–present
Works	Songs discography performances videography
Spouse(s)	Russell Brand ​ ​ (m. 2010; div. 2012)​
Partner(s)	Orlando Bloom (2016–2025)
Children	1
Relatives	Frank Perry (uncle)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop dance rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Red Hill Java Columbia Capitol
Signature

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television star. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 143 million records sold around the world. Perry is famous for her big influence on pop music and her fun, colorful style. Magazines like Vogue and Rolling Stone have called her the "Queen of Camp".

When she was 16, Perry released a gospel album called Katy Hudson. It was not a big seller. A year later, she moved to Los Angeles to make pop music. She changed her name to Katy Perry, using her mother's last name. After some time, she signed with Capitol Records.

Perry became famous in 2008 with her album One of the Boys. It had the hit singles "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold". Her next album, Teenage Dream (2010), was even bigger. It had five number-one singles in the U.S., including "California Gurls", "Firework", and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". No other female artist had ever done this with one album.

Her 2013 album, Prism, also had huge hits like "Roar" and "Dark Horse". The music videos for these songs made her the first artist to have more than one video with a billion views on YouTube. She later released the albums Witness (2017), Smile (2020), and 143 (2024).

Perry has won many awards, including five American Music Awards and five Billboard Music Awards. She also has four Guinness World Records. Besides music, she was the voice of Smurfette in The Smurfs movies and was a judge on American Idol from 2018 to 2024.

Life and Career

1984–1999: Early Life

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born on October 25, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California. Her parents, Mary and Maurice Hudson, were Pentecostal pastors. Because of her parents' work, her family moved often when she was young. They lived in different places across the country before settling back in Santa Barbara.

Growing up, Perry listened mostly to gospel music. She discovered pop music by borrowing CDs from her friends. She said that hearing the song "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette inspired her to become a singer and songwriter.

Perry started singing in her parents' church when she was nine years old. She also learned to play the guitar. As a teenager, she enjoyed skateboarding and surfing. She finished her high school requirements early at age 15 so she could focus on her music career.

2000–2006: Career Beginnings

Perry moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to improve her songwriting skills. She signed with a record label called Red Hill Records and released her first album, Katy Hudson, in 2001. It was a Christian rock album. The album didn't sell well, and the record label closed down soon after.

At 17, Perry moved to Los Angeles to make non-religious music. She started using the stage name "Katy Perry" to avoid being confused with the actress Kate Hudson. She worked with different record labels, but her albums were not released. During this time, she wrote songs that were later recorded by other artists like Kelly Clarkson and Selena Gomez & the Scene.

2007–2009: Breakthrough with One of the Boys

Perry performing during the Warped Tour in August 2008

In 2007, Perry signed with Capitol Records. The label wanted her to record a "smash hit" song. She co-wrote "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold". To introduce her to the public, she first released a song called "Ur So Gay". Pop star Madonna said she loved the song, which helped Perry get more attention.

"I Kissed a Girl" was released in April 2008 and became a huge hit. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. and stayed there for seven weeks. The song caused a lot of discussion.

Her album One of the Boys came out in June 2008. It reached number nine on the U.S. album chart and sold 7 million copies worldwide. The next single, "Hot n Cold", was also very successful. In 2009, she went on her first headlining tour, the Hello Katy Tour.

2010–2012: Teenage Dream and First Marriage

In 2010, Perry released "California Gurls" featuring Snoop Dogg. It was the first single from her third album, Teenage Dream, and it went to number one. The album came out in August 2010 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Teenage Dream had five number-one singles in the U.S.: "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T.", and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". Perry became the first woman and the second artist ever (after Michael Jackson) to have five number-one hits from a single album. For this, she received a special American Music Award.

In 2012, she released a new version of the album called Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection. It included the new number-one single "Part of Me".

Perry at the Sydney premiere for her 2012 documentary Katy Perry: Part of Me

Perry's second world tour, the California Dreams Tour, was a huge success. She also appeared in movies and on TV. She voiced Smurfette in the 2011 movie The Smurfs and hosted Saturday Night Live. In 2012, she released a documentary about her life called Katy Perry: Part of Me.

In October 2010, Perry married comedian Russell Brand. They divorced in 2012. Perry said their busy careers were a reason for the split.

2013–2015: Prism and Super Bowl Halftime Show

Perry's fourth album, Prism, was released in 2013. She said the album was inspired by a period of self-reflection. The lead single, "Roar", went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's third single, "Dark Horse", also became a number-one hit.

Perry performing during the Prismatic World Tour in July 2014

Prism sold over 4.5 million copies. Her third headlining tour, the Prismatic World Tour, was a massive success, earning over $204 million.

On February 1, 2015, Perry performed at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show. Her performance, which included guests Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott, was watched by 118.5 million people in the U.S. It became the most-watched halftime show in Super Bowl history.

During this time, Perry also launched her own record label, now called Unsub Records, and released her own line of fragrances.

2016–2019: Witness and American Idol

In 2016, Perry released the song "Rise" for the 2016 Summer Olympics. She said she wanted to create music that "connects and relates and inspires."

Perry performing during Witness: The Tour in October 2017

Her fifth album, Witness, was released in June 2017. It debuted at number one in the United States. The album included the singles "Chained to the Rhythm", "Bon Appétit", and "Swish Swish". To promote the album, she live-streamed her life on YouTube for four days in an event called Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide.

In 2018, Perry became a judge on the singing competition show American Idol. She was paid a reported $25 million. She remained a judge on the show until 2024.

In 2016, Perry began a relationship with actor Orlando Bloom. They got engaged on Valentine's Day in 2019.

2020–2023: Smile, Motherhood, and Las Vegas Show

In March 2020, Perry announced she was expecting her first child with Orlando Bloom. She released her sixth album, Smile, on August 28, 2020. Just two days before the album's release, she gave birth to her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom.

Perry performing on her Play residency in 2022

In January 2021, Perry performed her song "Firework" at the Celebrating America concert for the inauguration of Joe Biden.

From December 2021 to November 2023, Perry starred in her own concert residency in Las Vegas called Play. The show was held at Resorts World Las Vegas and received great reviews. Critics called it fun, colorful, and creative.

In May 2023, Perry performed at the Coronation Concert for King Charles III at Windsor Castle. Later that year, she sold her music rights to Litmus Music for a reported $225 million.

2024–present: 143 and New Music

Perry performing at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster in 2024

In February 2024, Perry announced she would be leaving American Idol to focus on making new music. Her seventh album, 143, was released on September 20, 2024. She described the album as having high energy and being full of joy and love. The album included the singles "Woman's World" and "Lifetimes".

On September 11, 2024, Perry received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards for her impact on music videos.

On April 14, 2025, she flew to space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket. The flight was the first all-female space flight since 1963. In July 2025, Perry and Bloom confirmed they had ended their relationship.

Artistry and Influences

Alanis Morissette (left) and Freddie Mercury (right) both heavily influenced Perry and her music.

Perry has named many artists as her influences. One of her biggest inspirations is Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen. She admired his songwriting and "I don't care" attitude. She even named one of her perfumes "Killer Queen" as a tribute to the band.

She also loves the Beach Boys' album Pet Sounds and the Beatles' album The Beatles. She said these albums influenced her songwriting and melody choices.

Another major influence is Alanis Morissette. Perry called Morissette's album Jagged Little Pill the "most perfect female record ever made." Other artists who have inspired her include Madonna, Björk, Stevie Nicks, and Gwen Stefani.

Perry's music is mainly pop, but it also includes rock, dance, and disco sounds. Her songs often explore themes of love, relationships, and self-empowerment. She is known for writing honest and relatable lyrics.

Charity Work and Activism

Perry became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in December 2013.

Perry has supported many charities throughout her career, especially those that help children. In 2013, she was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She has traveled to places like Madagascar and Vietnam to help improve children's education, health, and nutrition.

She has also supported organizations that help people with serious illnesses. She has helped raise money for breast cancer research and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Perry is a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. She has received awards for her work in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. She has also spoken out for women's empowerment and has supported political candidates who share her views on equality. In 2016, she performed at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of Hillary Clinton.

Discography

• Katy Hudson (2001)
• One of the Boys (2008)
• Teenage Dream (2010)
• Prism (2013)
• Witness (2017)
• Smile (2020)
• 143 (2024)

Tours and Residency

Headlining tours

• Hello Katy Tour (2009)
• California Dreams Tour (2011–2012)
• Prismatic World Tour (2014–2015)
• Witness: The Tour (2017–2018)
• The Lifetimes Tour (2025)

Residency

• Play (2021–2023)

See also

In Spanish: Katy Perry para niños