Early Life and Education of Katy Perry: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Katy Perry. A timeline of key moments.

Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, is an influential American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Recognized for her significant impact on pop music and distinctive camp style, she has earned the title of "Queen of Camp" from prominent publications like Vogue and Rolling Stone. Perry is a major figure in contemporary pop culture and entertainment.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Donation to Keep A Breast Foundation

In 2008, Katy Perry donated a plaster cast of her breasts that had been painted by her then-boyfriend Travie McCoy to raise money for the Keep A Breast Foundation.

February 2009: Fashion Style Described

In February 2009, Katy Perry told Seventeen that her fashion style was "a bit of a concoction of different things" and stated she enjoyed humor in her clothing.

June 2009: Designed for Fashion Against AIDS

In June 2009, Katy Perry designed an item of clothing for H&M's "Fashion Against AIDS" campaign, which raises money for HIV/AIDS awareness projects.

September 2010: Helped Build Shelter

In September 2010, Katy Perry helped build and design the Boys Hope/Girls Hope foundation shelter for youth in Baltimore, Maryland.

October 23, 2010: Marriage to Russell Brand

On October 23, 2010, Katy Perry married Russell Brand in a traditional Hindu ceremony near the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan.

November 2010: Proud of Her Figure

During November 2010, Katy Perry mentioned being proud of and satisfied with her figure.

December 30, 2011: Russell Brand Announces Divorce

On December 30, 2011, Russell Brand announced that he and Katy Perry were divorcing after 14 months of marriage.

June 2012: Perry expresses hopes for LGBT equality

In June 2012, Katy Perry voiced her hopes for LGBT equality, expressing her wish that future generations would look back at the present time with disbelief at the inequality, similar to how people view past civil rights issues.

August 2012: Relationship with John Mayer Begins

In August 2012, Katy Perry began a relationship with singer John Mayer, the same year her marriage with Russell Brand ended.

December 2012: Perry awarded Trevor Hero Award by The Trevor Project

In December 2012, Katy Perry was honored with the Trevor Hero Award by The Trevor Project for her activism and support of LGBT youth.

April 2013: Perry appears in "Chime for Change" campaign video

In April 2013, Katy Perry appeared in a video for the "Chime for Change" campaign, aimed at promoting female empowerment.

April 2013: Joins UNICEF

In April 2013, Katy Perry joined UNICEF to assist children in Madagascar with education and nutrition.

August 2013: Perry voices disagreement with Tony Abbott's stance on same-sex marriage

In August 2013, while in Australia, Katy Perry publicly disagreed with then-opposition leader Tony Abbott's stance against same-sex marriage, stating she couldn't give him her vote despite liking him as a person.

October 23, 2013: We Can Survive Concert

On October 23, 2013, Katy Perry hosted and performed at the We Can Survive concert along with various artists at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The concert's profits were donated to Young Survival Coalition, an organization aiding breast cancer in young women.

December 3, 2013: Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

On December 3, 2013, Katy Perry was officially named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, with a special focus on engaging young people in the agency's work to improve the lives of vulnerable children and adolescents.

April 2014: Perry supports Marianne Williamson's congressional campaign

In April 2014, Katy Perry publicly supported Marianne Williamson in her campaign for California's 33rd congressional district by attending a political press event.

May 2014: Portrait Featured in The Gay 90s Exhibition

In May 2014, a portrait of Katy Perry by painter Mark Ryden was featured in his exhibition "The Gay 90s" at the Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles, and she recorded a cover version of "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)". Also, a portrait of Perry by artist Will Cotton was included in the United States National Portrait Gallery.

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June 2014: "Make Roar Happen" Project

In June 2014, Katy Perry teamed up with Staples Inc. for a project entitled "Make Roar Happen" which donated $1 million to DonorsChoose, an organization that supports teachers and funds classroom resources in public schools.

2015: Perry attempts to purchase a former convent in Los Angeles

In 2015, Katy Perry's attempt to purchase a former convent in Los Angeles sparked a legal battle involving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, nuns, and a real estate developer over the property sale.

March 2016: Perry performs at fundraising concert for Hillary Clinton

In March 2016, Katy Perry performed alongside Elton John at a fundraising concert in New York City for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

May 2016: Worked with UNICEF in Vietnam

In May 2016, Katy Perry worked with UNICEF to improve child care quality in Vietnam, hoping to improve children's health, education and well-being.

June 2016: Perry signs open letter demanding increased gun control

Following the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, in June 2016 Katy Perry, along with nearly 200 other artists and executives, signed an open letter organized by Billboard demanding increased gun control in the United States.

November 2016: Perry endorses Kamala Harris and organizes fundraiser

In November 2016, Katy Perry endorsed Kamala Harris in the United States Senate election in California and organized a fundraiser for her at her home in Los Angeles.

2016: Judge rules sale to Hollister invalid

In 2016, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled the sale of a former convent to Dana Hollister, which Katy Perry was also trying to purchase, invalid due to lack of church approval.

February 26, 2017: Co-Chair for Elton John AIDS Foundation Party

On February 26, 2017, Katy Perry served as a co-chair for the 25th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party, a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS healthcare.

2017: Katy Perry Collections Launch

During the 2017 launch of her shoe collection, Katy Perry Collections, she talked about her cultivated style on a budget and how her shoes were a form of communication and an icebreaker.

2017: Perry receives Nation Equality Award from Human Rights Campaign

In 2017, Katy Perry received the Nation Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign for her advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality. During her acceptance speech, she discussed her bisexual experiences and thanked the LGBTQ+ community.

2017: Jury awards damages to Perry and the archdiocese in real estate deal interference case

In 2017, a jury determined Dana Hollister intentionally interfered with Katy Perry's real estate deal and awarded $5 million in compensatory damages to Perry and the archdiocese, with additional punitive damages imposed later.

March 2018: Perry announces Witness: Coming Home benefit concert

In March 2018, Katy Perry announced 'Witness: Coming Home', a benefit concert to support those affected by the 2017 California wildfires and 2018 Southern California mudflows.

2018: Sister Catherine Rose Holzman dies in court

In 2018, Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, one of the nuns involved in the legal battle over the sale of a former convent that Katy Perry was attempting to purchase, died in court.

February 14, 2019: Engagement to Orlando Bloom

On February 14, 2019, Katy Perry got engaged to actor Orlando Bloom after having reconciled in 2018.

March 2020: Pregnancy Reveal

In March 2020, following the release of her single "Never Worn White", Katy Perry revealed in the accompanying music video that she was expecting her first child with Orlando Bloom.

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August 28, 2020: Release of 'Smile' Album and Birth of Daughter

On August 28, 2020, Katy Perry's album, titled Smile, was released. Two days before its distribution, she gave birth to a daughter named Daisy Dove Bloom.

2020: Perry supports Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 US presidential election

In 2020, Katy Perry supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during the United States presidential election, praising Harris's experience and believing Biden's choice of her was a good sign.

2021: Perry heralded as a "gay icon" in Out interview

In 2021, Katy Perry was called a "gay icon" and her song "I Kissed a Girl" was hailed as a "bonafide queer anthem" in an Out interview. Perry thanked the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting on her personal growth and acceptance.

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2021: Cover Generated Donations

In 2021, all Spotify streams of Katy Perry's cover of "All You Need Is Love" generated $1 in donations for the charity Baby2Baby.

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2022: Perry criticized for voting for Rick Caruso in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election

In 2022, Katy Perry faced criticism from Democrats after posting a picture of herself voting for conservative candidate Rick Caruso in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election.

2024: Perry endorses Kamala Harris for office during the 2024 election

During the 2024 United States presidential election, Katy Perry endorsed Kamala Harris for office, highlighting Harris's commitment to fighting for the vulnerable and protecting women's rights.

April 14, 2025: Spaceflight aboard Blue Origin NS-31

On April 14, 2025, Katy Perry flew into space aboard Blue Origin NS-31, Blue Origin's eleventh crewed flight to space under the New Shepard program, along with Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez. It was the first all-female space flight since 1963.