Rise to Fame
She grew up in a household where secular music was forbidden (her parents were evangelical preachers, the Smurfs weren't allowed, and Harry Potter was banned). Not the most obvious breeding ground for pop stardom. Her first album, 2001's Katy Hudson, was Christian gospel that sold fewer than 200 copies. Multiple labels passed before Capitol signed her in 2007. "I Kissed a Girl" hit No. 1 in 2008, which must have gone over great at home. Teenage Dream (2010) produced five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Only Michael Jackson had done the same, with Bad.
In the Spotlight
The 2024 album 143 landed with a thud. Critics were unkind and the public moved on fast. The bigger PR problem came in April 2025: a Blue Origin spaceflight with Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez that most people thought was tone-deaf during a period of economic anxiety. Lily Allen, Kesha, and Amy Schumer said so publicly. Perry has since said she regrets it. She sold her music catalog for $225 million and The Lifetimes Tour grossed $134 million. The business side still works. The cultural standing doesn't.
Side Notes
Her mother reportedly dated Jimi Hendrix before converting to evangelical Christianity and becoming a preacher. She took the stage name "Perry" from her mother's maiden name to avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson. At 19, she sang background vocals on a Mick Jagger track before anyone knew her name, which is a weird footnote for someone who'd eventually play the Super Bowl.