Photo: Ali Shaker/VOA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Katy Perry is one of the best-known, most successful pop performers globally, having achieved 10 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Even her non-singles like Unconditionally and This Is How We Do garner over 20 million views on YouTube. So clearly, there are many die-hard KatyCats out there who would love to know more about their favorite singer.
Katy Perry began her career in 2001 by recording a Christian rock album under her birth name Katy Hudson but has since released six studio albums with six different producers. However, she is best known for singles such as ‘Firework,’ ‘California Gurls,’ and ‘Dark Horse.’ Katy Perry also performed at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show in 2015.
Katy Perry is known the world over for her success as a singer, songwriter, and businesswoman, but there are many things about the 36-year-old pop star that even her most devoted fans may not be familiar with.
If you’d like to know even more about this prolific performer, then read on. Here are 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Katy Perry.
1) Her first album was completed in just 43 days
Katy Perry signed to Capitol Records at age 15 after being discovered by an executive at Red Hill Records. Four years later, she released her debut self-titled album Katy Hudson, which included songs inspired by Katy Perry’s Christian upbringing. She recorded it under the guidance of Glen Ballard, who had previously written hits for Alanis Morissette. The album sold more than 5 million copies worldwide but only made it to number 74 on the US Billboard 200.
2) She was bullied in high school
Katy Perry has spoken candidly in the past about being bullied in high school by both classmates and teachers. The singer believes she was targeted because she was confident and “different,” which led to her changing schools when she was 14. Katy Perry says that when looking back on her teenage self, she feels proud rather than upset over what happened.
3) She won $125000 on Family Feud
The ‘I Kissed A Girl star’s stint as a game show contestant wasn’t all smooth sailing; after narrowly missing out on winning $500000 during an appearance on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Katy Perry appeared opposite Steve Harvey Family Feud in 2013. Her team managed to win $125000 and a 55″ TV, but Katy Perry was less than impressed with Harvey’s performance on the show.
4) Her cat is called Kitty Purry
Katy Perry isn’t just a feline fan – her pet cat is called Kitty Purry. In 2011, she explained that her then-cat had been named after one of her father Keith Hudson’s songs. “My dad has a song called ‘Purry,’ from my album One Of The Boys,” she told Rolling Stone. “So I named my cat Purr.”
5) She wanted to be a marine biologist when she was younger
As well as wanting to become a singer and an actress when Katy Perry was a young girl, she also hoped to pursue a career in marine biology. She revealed her plans on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, saying: “I wanted to be an actress and a singer, and then I actually wanted to be a marine biologist, and then my dad told me that if I ever got a tattoo or hooved [sic] myself up there would be hell to pay so…”
6) She loves Game of Thrones
Katy Perry is such a big fan of the HBO drama that she even dressed as her favorite character Daenerys Targaryen for Halloween 2015. She also has several Emilia Clarke-inspired tattoos, including one on her right wrist, which reads, ‘mhysa’ – the word used by the character to address her freed slaves.
7) She auditioned for a part in The Big Bang Theory
Katy Perry wasn’t successful with her attempt to land a guest spot on the show. Katy Perry later revealed that she tried out for one of the roles on Big Bang Theory but didn’t receive any feedback from producers or network executives. Still, she appeared in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother and starred opposite William Shatner and Alyson Hannigan in the 2010 movie Get Him To The Greek.
8) She’s worked with Sia before
After they bonded over a personal tragedy, Singer-songwriter Sia wrote ‘Double Rainbow’ – one of 13 songs on Perry’s just-released Witness LP. Sia’s good friend and assistant Jennylee had been killed in a car accident the year before, so she channeled her grief into writing music. The song was originally intended for Rihanna, but Perry eventually got her hands on it after Sian sent it to producer Benny Blanco.
9) She married Russell Brand twice
Following their marriage in October 2010, the couple reaffirmed their vows in India five months later. Less than two years later, they decided to end their 14-month marriage. They initially cited “irreconcilable differences” when filing for divorce but later revealed that allegations of infidelity on Brand’s part may have played a part in the split. Perry went on to marry singer-songwriter Orlando Bloom in a secret ceremony later that year.
10) She had to wear a fake stomach for the video of ‘Ur So Gay
On MTV’s Total Request Live, Katy Perry explained that she wanted her fans to focus more on the song than her physical appearance, so producers decided it would be best if she wore something that looked like a baby bump. Perry said: “I think it was just really funny. It was meant for me to have this big gut and all these padding pieces, but I didn’t get any of them because they put the Hello Kitty shirt over my normal clothes.”
Conclusion:
Katy Perry is a fascinating person. She has had an interesting life with many ups and downs, but it’s clear that she’s now in the happiest place of her career. Her song “Roar” can be interpreted as empowering women not to let anything hold them back from chasing their dreams. If you’re looking for facts about Katy Perry this list was created just for you. It’s full of interesting tidbits that show her in a new light and will have you thinking differently about the pop star from now on.
