Katy Perry

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Perry rose to fame in 2007 with her internet hit "Ur So Gay", and later scored in 2008 her breakthrough single "I Kissed a Girl".

She began with an on-and-off recording career, having been dropped three times by record labels. After signing to Capitol Music Group in 2007, she released her first mainstream album, One of the Boys. It contains the worldwide hits "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot N Cold", both certified three-time platinum in the United States. She is known for wearing unconventional style of dress, often combining colors and vintage fashion, as well as associating outfits with fruits.At age 15, Perry's singing in church attracted the attention of rock veterans from Nashville, Tennessee, who brought her there to polish her writing skills.[13] In Nashville, Perry started recording demos and was taught by country music veterans on how to craft songs and play guitar.[5][7] Perry signed to the Christian music label Red Hill, under which she recorded her first album at age 15.[14] Using her real name, Katy Hudson, she released the self-titled Gospel-rock album in 2001.[4][13] The album was unsuccessful, however, after the label ceased.[14] She later changed her surname to Perry, which is the maiden of her mother, because "Katy Hudson" was too close to film actress Kate Hudson.[10][13] At age 17, Perry left her home for Los Angeles where she worked with Glen Ballard on an album for record label Island Def Jam. The album was due for release in 2005,[2][13][14] but Billboard magazine reported it also went nowhere.[14] Perry was dropped by Island Def Jam.[4] Some of Perry and Ballard's collaborations included "Box", "Diamonds" and "Long Shot", were posted on her official MySpace page. "Simple", one of the songs she recorded with Ballard, was released on the soundtrack to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.[15]

Trying her luck, Perry signed to Columbia Records in 2004. However, the label was not amenable with her vision, not putting her in the "driver's seat".[14] Instead, one of Columbia's ideas was to pair Perry with the record production team The Matrix, who was working on an album, to serve as its female vocalist. Although the album was later shelved,[16] she caught the attention of the music press: Her burgeoning music career led to her being named "The Next Big Thing" in October 2004 by Blender magazine.[14][2] With no album project ongoing, Perry began recording her own. Eighty percent completed, however, Columbia decided not to finish it and dropped her off the label.[14]

While waiting to find another label, she worked in an independent A&R company called Taxi Music. In 2006, Perry is featured in the tail-end of the video to P.O.D.'s single "Goodbye for Now".[17] She made a cameo appearance on Carbon Leaf's video, "Learn to Fly", and on Gym Class Heroes' video, "Cupid's Chokehold", playing the eventual love interest of lead singer Travis McCoy. Her songs eventually captured the attention of Virgin Records CEO Jason Flom, then head of Capitol Music Group, who signed her to Capitol Music in early 2007.[14]

[edit] 2008–present: One of the Boys