Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson on October 25, 1984, is an American singer, songwriter and television personality.
She gained fame with her pop rock album One of the Boys and the disco-influenced pop album Teenage Dream, which produced five U.S. number one singles.
Perry has sold over 143 million records worldwide and has received various accolades, including four Guinness World Records and a Billboard Spotlight Award.
She began visiting Nashville at 15, signed with Red Hill Records, and released her debut gospel album ‘Katy Hudson’, which was not successful.
After moving to Los Angeles, Perry collaborated with Glen Ballard and signed with Columbia Records, but was dropped before signing with Capitol Records.
Additionally, the singer is known for her camp style and has been dubbed the Queen of Camp by Vogue and Rolling Stone.
| Net worth | $400 million |
| Profession | Singer, song-writer, TV personality |
| Date of birth | October 25, 1984 |
| Nationality | American |
Background and parents
Perry was raised in a deeply religious family and began performing in church at a young age.
Her parents are Keith Hudson and Mary Perry, and she has two siblings, David and Angela.
Perry’s mother’s half-brother was film director Frank Perry.
At 16, she released a gospel album titled, Katy Hudson, under Red Hill Records, but it was not successful.
Perry later moved to Los Angeles to pursue secular music and adopted the stage name “Katy Perry” from her mother’s maiden name.
Her music career took off with the release of her pop rock album, One of the Boys, un 2008, which included the hit singles, I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Hot n Cold.
Perry’s has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 143 million records sold worldwide.
Net worth
Perry’s net worth is estimated to be $400 million.
This wealth is primarily derived from her successful music career, which includes mega-sales during her musical peak and lucrative tours.
In September 2023, Perry further increased her net worth by selling her music catalog for over $200 million.
She has released six studio albums, with hits like Teenage Dream, I Kissed a Girl and Firework contributing to her success.
Perry also has a Las Vegas residency and owns two businesses: a shoe brand called Katy Perry Collections and a non-alcoholic beverage brand called De Soi.
Salary
Perry’s salary is a significant one, with her earning $25 million per season as a judge on American Idol.
This makes her the highest-paid judge for the show’s 22nd season, which is set to premiere next year.
In addition to her American Idol salary, Perry has also earned substantial income from her music career, with her albums earning over $112 million in digital singles and at least six of her singles making $5 million each.
Her perfume line and various brand relationships, including with H&M, CoverGirl and Proactiv, have also contributed to her wealth.
Catalog sale
Perry sold her music catalog for $225 million to Litmus Music, a Carlyle-backed company.
The deal covers Perry’s stake in master recordings and publishing rights for five albums released between 2008 and 2020, including One of the Boys, Teenage Dream, Prism, Witness and Smile.
These albums contain 16 multiplatinum hits which Universal Music Group continues to own the masters for those albums.
The sale of music rights has boomed in recent years, with older artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner selling part of all of their catalogues to companies such as Hipgnosis, Sony and BMG.
Younger singers, including Dr. Dre and Justin Bieber, have also cashed in on their music rights.
Endorsement deals
Perry has been involved in various endorsement deals throughout her career, including partnerships with brands such as CoverGirl, Pepsi, H&M and Moschino.
She has also endorsed products like perfumes, clothing, accessories, cosmetics and nail polish.
In 2015, Perry was the highest-earning female artist, earning $135 million, largely due to her Prismatic World Tour and endorsement deals with H&M, Claire’s and CoverGirl.
She has also launched her own fragrance line and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting women and children through her Katy Perry Foundation.
Real estate
Perry and her husband, Orlando Bloom, purchased a Montecito home for $14.2 million in 2020.
However, they faced a legal battle with Carl Westcott, the previous owner, who sued to rescind the offer due to his mental incapacity.
Westcott, who founded 1-800-FLOWERS, claimed he was of unsound mind when he agreed to the deal.
Perry and Bloom’s agent, Bernie Gudvie, argued that Westcott was competent during the negotiations.
The lawsuit has led to the proposed PERRY Act, which seeks a 72-hour cool-down period for real estate contracts involving seniors over 75.
The act has received non-partisan support and aims to protect seniors from hasty decisions that could lead to a loss of generational wealth or their family home.
Music career
Perry’s music career has been marked by significant achievements and chart-topping hits.
She rose to fame with her pop rock album, One of the Boys, in 2008, featuring hits like I Kissed a Girl and Hot n Cold.
Perry’s disco-influenced pop album, Teenage Dream, set records by producing five U.S. number one singles, including California Gurls and Firework.
This album tied Michael Jackson’s record for five number one songs from a single album.
Her subsequent releases, such as Prism and Witness, continued her success with hits like Roar and Chained to the Rhythm.
Perry’s music videos have also made history, being the first artist to have multiple videos reach one billion views on Vevo.
Despite facing criticism from some quarters, her music has resonated with audiences worldwide, earning her numerous accolades, including Grammy nominations and various awards.
Her Las Vegas concert residency titled Play received critical acclaim and commercial success, further solidifying her status as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Tours and live performances
Perry has embarked on four international concert tours and one concert residency since her debut in 2001.
Her concert tours include the Hello Katy Tour, California Dreams Tour, Prismatic World Tour and Witness: The Tour.
Perry has also performed at various international shows and festivals, including Jingle Ball and the MTV Video Music Awards.
Her concert tours have been highly successful, with her California Dreams Tour earning over $59.5 million and her Prismatic World Tour grossing more than $204.3 million.
Perry live performances are known for their elaborate stage designs, costumes and choreography, as well as Perry’s powerful vocals and connection with her audience.
Her concerts often feature a mix of her hit singles and album tracks, with enhanced arrangements that showcase her musicianship.
Perry’s most recent tour, Witness: The Tour, grossed over $124.2 million and became her second most successful tour to date.
She has also performed in Mexico, with her first stop in Guadalajara during the California Dreams Tour in 2011.
Prismatic World Tour
Perry’s Prismatic World Tour was a highly successful concert tour that took place from February to March 2015 across Europe.
The tour featured elaborate stage designs, colorful costumes, and captivating choreography, reflecting her vibrant and energetic performances.
Charli XCX opened the shows during this tour.
The Prismatic World Tour Live, a live video album capturing the essence of the tour, was released on October 30, 2015, by Capitol Records.
The concert movie was made available on DVD, Blu-ray, and for Digital Download, including 30 minutes of exclusive extras.
The tour’s setlist included popular hits like Roar, Dark Horse, Teenage Dream, Firework and many more, showcasing Perry’s musical prowess and stage presence.
The Prismatic World Tour Live received commercial success, topping music video charts in various countries like Australia, Belgium, Italy and the United States, further solidifying Perry’s status as a top performer in the music industry.
TV career
Perry’s TV career includes appearances on American Idol as a judge since 2018.
She also starred in the 3-D concert-tour documentary Katy Perry: Part of Me and provided the voice of Smurfette in The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2.
Perry’s career began with a gospel album at 16, but she later moved to Los Angeles and adopted her mother’s maiden name, signing with Capitol Records in 2007.
Her breakthrough came with the pop rock album One of the Boys, which included the hit singles I Kissed a Girl and Hot n Cold.
Perry has since released several successful albums and has been a prominent figure in pop music, known for her camp style and high-profile relationships.
Awards and accolades
Perry has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
She has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, including for album of the year for Teenage Dream and song of the year for Roar, but has not won any Grammy Awards.
However, Perry has won several other awards, including five American Music Awards, 16 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, 10 BMI Awards, four Guinness World Records, five MTV Video Music Awards and five People’s Choice Awards.
Philanthropic efforts
Perry has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and her support for the British Asian Trust.
In 2019, she was appointed as an ambassador for the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, which aims to cut child trafficking in South Asia.
Perry has also been recognized for her philanthropic efforts by the British Royal Family, receiving the royal treatment for her work with the British Asian Trust.
In addition to her work with the British Asian Trust, she has also supported other charitable causes, such as donating $10,000 to a Mansfield sixth-grader’s campaign called Race to Kindness.
Katy Perry Foundation
The Katy Perry Foundation was founded by Perry to empower children from underserved communities by igniting their inner light through the arts.
The foundation’s mission is to provide artistic programming for children, fostering creativity, self-expression and personal growth.
Perry serves as the founder of the organization, and the board of directors includes notable figures such as Angela Lerche, Ngọc Hoang-DelVecchio, Bernie Gudvi, Steve Jensen, Thomas Rollerson, Judee Ann Williams, DeRay Mckesson, Gaudencio Marquez and Michael Starler.
The foundation’s values include fearlessness, inspiration, reflection, experience, wellness, openness and kindness.
The Firework Foundation’s Camp Firework is a sleep-away experience in nature where children can discover their artistic talents and bring them back to their communities.
The foundation’s work has been recognized in the 2021 Variety Power of Women issue, highlighting Perry’s contributions and the foundation’s impact on children’s lives.
Personal life
Perry has been in a relationship with actor Orlando Bloom since 2019, and they share a daughter named Daisy Dove Bloom, born in August 2020.
Bloom is known for his roles in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lord of the Rings.
The couple’s relationship has been public, with appearances together at various events and on social media.
They have been supportive of each other’s careers and have embraced parenthood with the birth of their daughter.
Katy Perry vs Orlando Bloom net worth
Perry has a net worth of $400 million, while Bloom’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million.
This means that the couple’s combined net worth is $370 million.
Bloom’s acting roles, including in franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean, have been a major contributor to their net worth.
Perry’s music releases, including her six successful studio albums and sold-out tours, have also significantly added to their wealth.
The couple has invested in real estate, including a $14.2 million luxurious estate in Montecito, California.
They also spend a substantial amount on their daughter Daisy’s needs and prioritize their security.
