Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter and television judge. She has released five studio albums and two EPs.
In 2001, she released a Christian album named after herself, Katy Hudson. In November 2007, Perry released the music video for her first single, "Ur So Gay". She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. She has earned nine number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, five of which are from one album (she became the first female artist to achieve this record). Perry has also been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards.
Biography
1984–2000: Early life
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born on October 25, 1984 at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California, to Maurice Hudson and Mary Hudson (née Perry), both pastors. She has an older sister, Angela, and a younger brother, David, who is also a musician. Perry has said that her upbringing was "sheltered" and that an example of this was that her family did not eat Lucky Charms cereal because her parents thought that luck was something that came from the devil. She also called deviled eggs "angeled eggs" growing up.
2001: Katy Hudson
Then known as Katy Hudson, she released a Christian album named after herself. It had the single "Search Me". She was discovered by Glen Ballard, who is known for his work with musician Alanis Morissette. This album did not perform well, and she was dropped from her record label, Red Hill, when the label was shut down. She struggled for six years before eventually signing with her current label, Capitol Records.
2007–2009: One of the Boys
After changing her last name to Perry (her mother's maiden name) so that she allegedly would not be confused with actress Kate Hudson, Katy released an EP album called Ur So Gay. This song has been criticized and labeled homophobic. On June 17, 2008, Perry released her first pop album called One of the Boys with singles including "I Kissed a Girl" (her first number-one hit), "Hot N Cold", and "One of the Boys".
She co-wrote the single "I Do Not Hook Up" for singer Kelly Clarkson (the first winner of American Idol), along with the song "Rock God" for singer-actress Selena Gomez.
2009–2012: Teenage Dream
Katy perry record the album at the end of September of 2009 Perry's third album, Teenage Dream, was released in August 2010 and included the singles "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", and "Firework". She is the only female artist to get 5 number-one singles from one album on the US Billboard Hot 100. Along with the album's first three singles reaching the top, "E.T." featuring Kanye West and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" also hit number one. The only other artist to get 5 number-one songs from one album is Michael Jackson, with Bad. She was inspired by her then-engagement to British comedian and actor Russell Brand.
At the Grammy Awards in 2012, Perry performed a new song, "Part of Me", that was released as the lead single from the re-release of Teenage Dream, called Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection. The song entered at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her seventh US number-one hit. The next single, "Wide Awake", reached number two in the US and topped the Canadian Hot 100.
In July 2012, Perry released the concert film/biopic Part of Me in 3D. The movie shows her early life through the Teenage Dream era and her rise to fame.
On November 30, 2012, Perry went to the 2012 Billboard Women in Music event. She was given the Woman of the Year Award there.
2012–2016: Prism and other projects
In 2012 Katy perry began the recording of her album In August 2013, Killer Queen, Perry's third fragrance, was released.
Perry collaborated with fellow American pop star Britney Spears to write the song "Passenger" for Spears' eighth studio album, Britney Jean.
Perry's fourth album, Prism, was released on October 18, 2013. It reached number one in 83 countries. The first single from the album, "Roar", was number one in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, New Zealand, Scotland, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Perry performed the song at the 2013 American Music Awards.
On November 10, 2013, she performed the album's second single, "Unconditionally", at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards.
On December 5, 2013, Perry's single "Roar" was nominated for the 2014 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. She performed at The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!
On May 7, 2014, Perry began the Prismatic World Tour in support of her fourth studio album, Prism.
