Katy Perry is the stage name of the American singer, song writer and musician, Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. Perry shot to fame with the hit song "Ur So Gay." She also had a breakthrough single in the year 2008 - "I Kissed A Girl."

Katy Perry was born to Christian pastor parents and grew up listening only to gospel music. After her freshman year in high school, she began pursuing a musical career. She released a gospel album titled "Katy Hudson" in 2001. She also recorded and album later, but it never released. She signed with Capitol Music Group in 2007 and adopted the stage name Katy Perry.

Katy Perry is known for her unconventional dress sense. It is often bright and reminiscent of many different decades. For some reason, Perry seems to be quite fond of fruit shaped accessories as well. Among many fruits, she is partial to the water melon because you get to see many water melon shaped things as her accessories. Perry's unique sense of fashion is a "concoction of different things" in her own words. Designers also keep Perry on their radar almost as much as her fans do.

In 2008 June, Perry posed with a switchblade in a publicity attempt to give her a "harder edge." This was criticized and Perry responded by posing with a spoon subsequently. You have got to love this girl's sense of humor.

Katy Perry is highly influenced by Alanis Morissette, Freddie Mercury, Cyndi Lauper etc. Since she grew up listening only to gospel songs, so she did not have many references when she started recording songs. When the producer asked her with whom she would like to collaborate, Perry had absolutely no idea. Later, she turned the TV on at the hotel and saw producer Glen Ballard talking about Alanis Morrissette.

Morissette's album, "Jagged Little Pill" had a huge influence on Perry and she told her collaborator that she has decided to work with Ballard. A meeting with Ballard was arranged for Perry. She presented the man with a song and a day later she was called. Ballard mentored Perry for a few years.

Perry, by her own admission, has changed a lot from when she was 15. Her first album was completely gospel music and her musical perspective was enclosed and strict. Her second album was the kind her mother described as secular and did not let her listen. It obviously was a radical departure from her religious musical roots.

Katy Perry, as a musician, is very involved in her projects. She plays the guitar and uses it to the fullest extent. Perry would write songs and play it to her producers. Inspired mostly by specific moments of her life, many of her songs deal with heartbreak, teen adventure and angst.

Perry's songs "Ur So Gay" and "I Kissed a Girl" have attracted a lot of negative publicity. The religiously inclined say that she promotes homosexuality while the homosexuals label her homophobic. There was also criticism suggesting that Perry uses bi-curiosity as a way to promote her records. Well, it seems to work. This girl has guts and is hugely popular.