Artist of the month: Katy Perry

21 August 2008

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The singer was born in Santa Barbara, California to two pastors and grew up on gospel music and singing in church. Her mother, an evangelical Christian preacher has recently declared that she hates the song.

She said: "It clearly promotes homosexuality and its message is shameful and disgusting. Katy knows how I feel. We are a very outspoken family and she knows how disappointed her father and I are. I can't even listen to that song. The first time I heard it I was in total shock. When it comes on the radio I bow my head and pray."

Katy does have some fans though, and famous ones, The First Lady of pop Madonna told a US radio station that she loves Katy's song Ur So Gay saying it was her "favourite song right now,"

Career

Growing up Katy was only allowed to listen to religious music but she accidentally heard a Queen song at a slumber party. She revealed: "From then on, they have been my biggest influence". Also among her musical influences are Alanis Morissette as well as Heart and Joni Mitchell.

In 2004, Katy worked for the record production team The Matrix, who had previously worked with Avril Lavigne, Liz Phair, KoRn and Britney Spears, among others. Her burgeoning music career led to her being named "The Next Big Thing" in October 2004 in Blender Magazine, where Perry stated she wasn't "a typical Christian", mentioning that she had done "lots of bad things" during her adolescence. One of the tracks she recorded with Ballard, "Simple", was released on the soundtrack of the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.

She has openly talked about her struggles within the music industry, such as being dropped from record labels for much of her early career. Her songs eventually captured the attention of Virgin Records CEO Jason Flom, who was the head of Capitol Music Group, and she signed to Capitol Music in 2007.

An early song of Perry's titled "Breakout" was covered by Miley Cyrus for her 2008 album Breakout.

After signing to Capitol Records, Perry began recording for her official mainstream debut album, released in 2008. The full length album, One of the Boys, was released in the USA on June 17 and reached number 9 in the charts.

"I think people appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides," Katy says. "The whole angst thing is cool, but if that’s all you've got, it's just boring. Everything I write, whether it’s happy or sad, has a sense of humour to it. Someone told me the other day that I'm a bit like Lucille Ball. They said, ‘You look pretty put together on the outside, but inside there’s just something a bit wrong.’"

The album was preceded by a digital EP in late 2007, entitled "Ur So Gay". "Ur So Gay" has been criticized for alleged homophobia for its derogatory use of the word 'gay'.

In addition, Katy has had songs from the album featured on MTV's series, The Hills, on Oxygen Network's reality series, Fight Girls, and on the 2008 film Baby Mama. She was also featured on P.O.D.'s 2006 single "Goodbye for Now".

Personal life

Katy's real name is Katy Hudson but she switched to her mum's maiden name to avoid confusion with the actress Kate Hudson.

Despite what her songs might suggest Katy actually prefers kissing boys and is dating Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy. She appeared in the video for the band's single Cupid's Chokehold, playing Travis's love interest.

What is she up to now?

Katy's popularity is sky high at the moment. Her MySpace page is the third most visited after Lil Wayne and Rihanna. She has had over 7.6 million plays and boasts over 190,000 friends.

Katy is currently in the final stages of a US tour and is celebrating been nominated in two categories at the MTV Music Video awards this year, Best Female Performance and Best newcomer.

What's next?

The album One of the Boys hits UK shores on September 15th.

Jessica Watson - FemaleFirst

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