Katy Perry is an American singer-songwriter who makes pop and pop-rock. Her real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson and she was born on October 25, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California. She is also known for her unique and individual fashion style.
Katy's career in music began at the age of 15, when she signed to Christian music label Red Hill, and recorded and released her first self-titled album through her real name of Kate Hudson. Unlike her later songs, 'Katy Hudson' was a collection of Gospel-rock tracks.
The album was unsuccessful in terms of sales, so she took on her mother's maiden name and changed her stage alias to Katy Perry.
A few new record deals came in the following years after - at 17 she signed with Island Def Jam and was due to release an album, although she was later dropped - then in 2004, similarly she signed with Columbia but was also dropped.
It wasn't until early 2007 that Katy signed with Capitol Music and her first release was the 'Ur So Gay' EP later that year.
Perry then headed into the studio and released her first major album 'One Of The Boys' in 2008, which featured hit singles 'I Kissed A Girl', 'Hot N Cold', 'Thinking Of You' and 'Waking Up In Vegas'.
'One Of The Boys' sold over a million copies in the US alone, 12 months after being released.
Perry has been the subject of several controversial stories. Her biggest hit - 'I Kissed A Girl' - caused offence due to its pro-homosexual lyrics and saw opposition from church groups. More controversy came in 2008, when early promotional photos of Katy brandishing a knife angered anti-weapons groups.
She also apologized to Lily Allen, after the singer took offence to moments she made in a magazine interview (Perry described herself as a "skinnier version" of Lily).
Before recording 'One Of The Boys', she recorded an entire album's worth of material with production team The Matrix. These 10 songs were later released as 'The Matrix' album in January 2009.
Katy reveals her influences as Alanis Morissette, Freddie Mercury of Queen, Shirley Manson of Garbage, Cyndi Lauper and Joan Jett.
