Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson better known by the stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents; Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a music career. She released a self-titled gospel album in 2001 as Katy Hudson which was deemed unsuccessful due to the closing of its record label that year. She later recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed the majority of a solo album from 2004–2005, neither of which was released.

After signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry and released her first Internet single, “Ur So Gay”, that November, which garnered attention but did failed to chart. She rose to fame with the release of her second single “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008, which went on to top international charts. Perry’s first mainstream studio album, One of the Boys, followed later that year and subsequently became the thirty-third best selling album worldwide of 2008. It was accredited platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America while “I Kissed a Girl” and her second single “Hot n Cold” both received multi-platinum certifications. Perry was ranked the ninety-seventh Artist of the 2000–10 decade by Billboard. She became known for wearing unconventional style of dress, often combining bold colors and vintage fashion. Her sophomore album, Teenage Dream, was released in August 2010 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album included the hit singles “California Gurls” and “Teenage Dream”; both of which topped the charts on the Billboard Hot 100 and several other countries.

Perry had a long relationship with Travie McCoy; she married Russell Brand on October 23, 2010.