Katy Perry
Born 1984 · Age 41
American singer, songwriter and television personality. Breakthrough with 2008's One of the Boys; massive global success with 2010's Teenage Dream; tours, endorsements, fragrances, business ventures, film/voice acting, residencies, and TV judging roles. Estimated net worth ~$350M (2024).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Santa Barbara, California
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born to Pentecostal pastors Mary Christine and Maurice Keith Hudson.
Began singing in church
Began performing regularly in her parents' ministry and singing gospel from ages 9 to 17, an early foundation for her vocal training.
Received first guitar
Given her first guitar at age 13 and started publicly performing songs she wrote.
Completed GED and left high school
Completed General Educational Development (GED) requirements during her first year of high school and left Dos Pueblos High School to pursue music.
Released debut gospel album 'Katy Hudson'
Released a contemporary Christian album, Katy Hudson, on Red Hill Records (commercially unsuccessful).
Red Hill Records ceased operations
Label that released Katy Hudson ceased operations in December 2001 (album sold very few copies).
Moved to Los Angeles to pursue secular music
Relocated to Los Angeles at 17 and transitioned from gospel to secular/pop songwriting and recording.
Signed to Java Records (Glen Ballard)
Signed to Glen Ballard's imprint Java (affiliated with Island/Def Jam) and worked on an album that was later shelved when Java was dropped.
Song 'Simple' featured on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants soundtrack
'Simple' (recorded during Ballard sessions) was included on the 2005 film soundtrack, an early placement to build exposure.
Finished material for 'Fingerprints' and dropped by Columbia Records
Completed an album (Fingerprints) while signed to Columbia; label dropped her before release and she subsequently worked at Taxi Music.
Featured backing vocals on notable tracks
Provided backing vocals on Mick Jagger's 'Old Habits Die Hard' (Alfie soundtrack) and on P.O.D.'s 'Goodbye for Now' (appeared in video and TV performance).
Signed to Capitol Records
Jason Flom (Capitol) signed Katy Perry in April 2007; label paired her with Dr. Luke to refine material for a pop breakthrough.
Released 'Ur So Gay' EP/video to introduce her image
Released 'Ur So Gay' video and digital EP in November 2007 to generate buzz ahead of her debut pop release.
Released breakthrough single 'I Kissed a Girl'
Lead single from One of the Boys released April 28, 2008; generated controversy and significant radio play.
Warped Tour appearances and high-profile relationship
Traveled on the Warped Tour (June–August 2008) with Travie McCoy; relationship and engagement symbolism (diamond promise ring) gained media attention.
Released album 'One of the Boys'
Major-label debut that reached No.9 on the Billboard 200 and launched multiple hit singles; later sold ~7 million copies worldwide.
'I Kissed a Girl' reached No.1 on Billboard Hot 100
Topped the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 5, 2008 and remained at No.1 for seven consecutive weeks.
Released single 'Hot n Cold' — major hit
Follow-up single released September 2008; peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in several countries.
Hosted MTV Europe Music Awards and won Best New Act
Hosted the 2008 EMAs and won the Best New Act award, reflecting rapid rise in international profile.
First headlining world tour — Hello Katy Tour
Embarked on her first headlining world tour (January–November 2009) to support One of the Boys.
Won 2009 Brit Award – International Female Solo Artist
Received the BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist, consolidating international acclaim.
Released 'MTV Unplugged' live album
Recorded July 22, 2009 and released Nov 17, 2009 — featured acoustic versions and new material (e.g., 'Brick by Brick').
Released 'California Gurls' (lead single for Teenage Dream)
Lead single featuring Snoop Dogg released May 7, 2010; reached No.1 in June 2010.
Released album 'Teenage Dream' (debuted No.1)
Released Aug 24, 2010; debuted at No.1 on Billboard 200 and ultimately sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
Married Russell Brand
Married English comedian Russell Brand in a Hindu ceremony near Ranthambhore, Rajasthan, India.
'Firework' reached No.1
Third single from Teenage Dream reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Dec 8, 2010.
'E.T.' (feat. Kanye West) released — No.1
Fourth single from Teenage Dream; remix featuring Kanye West topped the Hot 100 for five non-consecutive weeks.
California Dreams Tour (supporting Teenage Dream)
Second headlining tour (Feb 2011–Jan 2012) grossed $59.5 million globally; won Best Live Act at 2011 MTV EMAs.
'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' reached No.1 — tied Michael Jackson record
Became first female artist to achieve five US No.1 singles from one album (Teenage Dream); second artist after Michael Jackson.
Russell Brand filed for divorce
Brand announced their separation and filed for divorce on Dec 30, 2011 after 14 months of marriage.
Named Billboard 'Woman of the Year'
Billboard honored Perry as their Woman of the Year for 2012, reflecting commercial and cultural impact.
Released 'Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection' (reissue)
Reissue released March 23, 2012; lead single 'Part of Me' (Feb 13) debuted at No.1.
Released autobiographical documentary 'Katy Perry: Part of Me'
Documentary released July 5, 2012 via Paramount; grossed $32.7 million worldwide.
Released lead single 'Roar' for Prism — No.1
'Roar' released Aug 10, 2013 and reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100; big lead-in to Prism.
Released album 'Prism' (debuted No.1)
Prism released Oct 18, 2013; debuted at No.1 and has sold over 6 million copies worldwide (as of Sep 2016).
'Dark Horse' released and reached No.1 (feat. Juicy J)
Released as a single in Dec 2013; became her ninth U.S. No.1 single in Jan 2014 and one of her biggest streaming hits.
Founded Metamorphosis Music (later Unsub Records)
Announced the creation of her own record label under Capitol; Ferras was the first artist signed and Perry executive produced his EP.
Prismatic World Tour begins
Third headlining tour began May 2014 and ran through Oct 2015; sold ~2 million tickets and grossed $204.3 million worldwide.
Declared Top Certified Digital Artist Ever by RIAA
RIAA declared Perry the Top Certified Digital Artist Ever (72 million certified digital singles in the U.S.).
Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show
Headlined the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show on Feb 1, 2015; performance drew 118.5 million US viewers (record at time).
Released H&M holiday campaign song 'Every Day Is a Holiday'
Recorded an original song for H&M's holiday 2015 campaign, reflecting ongoing brand partnerships.
Released Olympic anthem 'Rise'
Standalone single 'Rise' released July 2016 as an NBC Olympics anthem; reached No.1 in Australia and No.11 in the US.
Launched shoe line 'Katy Perry Collections'
Launched a branded shoe line available through her website and retailers like Dillard's and Walmart.
Released 'Chained to the Rhythm' (lead single, 'Witness')
Lead single from Witness featuring Skip Marley reached No.4 US; set Spotify female first-day streaming record (3M+ in 24 hours).
Released album 'Witness' (debuted No.1)
Witness released June 9, 2017 to mixed reviews; debuted at No.1 in the US. Accompanied by a 4-day YouTube livestream (49M views).
Joined American Idol as judge (season 16) – $25M salary reported
Signed on as a judge for American Idol's sixteenth season with a reported $25 million salary for the role.
Released single 'Never Really Over'
Early 2019 standalone single that received critical acclaim and marked a return to pop singles.
Jury verdict in 'Dark Horse' copyright lawsuit (initial)
July 2019 jury found 'Dark Horse' copied Flame's song 'Joyful Noise' and ordered Perry to pay $550,000; that verdict was later overturned on appeal.
Announced pregnancy via 'Never Worn White' music video
Used the 'Never Worn White' video to reveal she was pregnant with partner Orlando Bloom's child.
Birth of daughter Daisy Dove Bloom
Gave birth to daughter Daisy two days before the release of the album Smile (Aug 28, 2020).
Released album 'Smile'
Sixth studio album released Aug 28, 2020; debuted at No.5 in the US; received mixed reviews.
Residency 'Play' began at Resorts World Las Vegas
Launched the Play residency Dec 29, 2021; reported contract value ~$168M and the show was critically acclaimed; residency concluded Nov 4, 2023.
Co-founded De Soi (non-alcoholic apéritif company)
Established De Soi with Morgan McLachlan to produce and sell non-alcoholic apéritifs.
Awarded the Key to Las Vegas; 'Katy Perry Day'
On June 8, 2022 she received the Key to Las Vegas and the day was declared 'Katy Perry Day'.
Performed at Coronation Concert for Charles III
Performed at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in May 2023.
Sold music rights to Litmus Music (~$225M)
Reported sale of her music rights to Litmus Music for an estimated $225 million (reported in 2023).
Announced exit from American Idol
Announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Feb 2024) she would leave American Idol after season 22 to record new music.
Released single 'Woman's World' (lead single for '143')
Released 'Woman's World' on July 11, 2024, the first single from her seventh studio album 143.
Headlined Rock in Rio and AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment
Headlined Rock in Rio festival on the day of 143's release; headlined pre-game entertainment at Australia's 2024 AFL Grand Final eight days later.
Received Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award (MTV VMAs)
Honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Released album '143'
Seventh studio album 143 released Sept 20, 2024; described as high-energy/joyful but received largely negative critical reaction and controversy over collaboration with Dr. Luke.
Filmed 'Katy Perry: Night of a Lifetime' special at Methodist Central Hall
Filmed a special for ITV (UK) titled Katy Perry: Night of a Lifetime, produced by Fremantle; premiered Dec 21, 2024 in the UK.
Public net worth estimate reported (~$350M)
Multiple sources (Wikipedia, press) list Katy Perry's estimated net worth around $350 million as of mid-2020s.
Blue Origin commercial spaceflight
Participated as one of six passengers on an all-female Blue Origin flight in April 2025; sang 'What a Wonderful World' during the 11-minute flight (reported by Britannica).
Key Achievement Ages
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