Kathryn Elizabeth Hudson, better known by her stage name, Katy Perry, was born in Santa Barbera, California.  At fifteen years old, while singing in the church choir, she attracted the attention of some country music veterans who helped her find her way to Nashville.

Katy Perry

I have always been this character, but I kind of cartoon-ized myself a little bit [in my stage persona]. So when someone really likes me, it's like here comes a person! I wonder if you can handle this

Starting a Career

Kathryn Elizabeth Hudson, better known by her stage name, Katy Perry, was born in Santa Barbera, California.  At fifteen years old, while singing in the church choir, she attracted the attention of some country music veterans who helped her find her way to Nashville.  There, Perry signed to the Christian music label, Red Hill, and released her first album, a self-titled Gospel rock album in 2001.

Two years later, Perry left Nashville for Los Angeles.  She recorded and was prepared to release her second album with Island Records, but it never got off the ground.  She released three singles on her MySpace page, and one of them she ultimately contributed to the soundtracks for the film, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  She then signed with Columbia Records, but was frustrated with their unwillingness to give her control.   Eventually, she started recording on her own.

Finding the Spotlight

While working on her own, Katy Perry attracted the attention of Columbia Records and finally signed a contract she could live with.  She released the extended play recording, Ur So Gay on 12” vinyl, and for mp3 download online.  The label encouraged Perry to release a video for the song as well.  The releases attracted the attention of Madonna, who mentioned her in a radio interview.

The single was included on her 2008 album, One of the Boys.  The album certified platinum in sales and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.  Sales were boosted by the controversial and insanely popular single, I Kissed A Girl.  Perry toured with the Warped Tour that year, then followed up with the Hello Katy Tour.  At the beginning of 2009, the singles, I Kissed a Girl and Hot N Cold went triple platinum, for individual digital sales.  Over 3 million downloads were purchased online.  These numbers continue to grow.

What's Next

In late 2009, Katy Perry performed on an episode of MTV Unplugged, and released the recording as a live album, in CD and DVD form.  Perry is working on her next album that is to be released in 2010.  She reported to Rolling Stone Magazine that she wants her second album to be exceptional so that her audience knows she has the talent to stay on top.  

In Perry's short career, she has been nominated for 6 MTV video music awards, 2 Grammy Awards, 5 Teen Choice Awards, and 4 Los Premios MTV Awards.  MTV Europe awarded her Most Addictive Track.

Did you know . . .

1. Katy Perry released her first album in Tennessee as Katy Hudson.  She later changed her stage name to Katy Perry, to avoid confusion with movie actress Kate Hudson.

2. Perry appears as lead singer on the debut album for the production group, The Matrix, which was released to iTunes for mp3 downloads in early 2009.

3. In 2009, Perry performed during the opening ceremonies for the Annual Life Ball in Vienna, Austria.  The Life Ball is an annual AIDS charity event.

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