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 a highly successful American singer, songwriter, and television personality. As one of the best-selling music artists globally, with over 151 million records sold, she is a major force in pop music. Perry is recognized for her significant influence on the genre and her flamboyant "camp" style, earning her the moniker "Queen of Camp" from prominent publications like Vogue and Rolling Stone.

Sections (4)

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

2008: Donated a plaster cast for charity

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: Describes her fashion style

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 an item of clothing for H&M campaign

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 a shelter for youth in Baltimore

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 and satisfied with her figure

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

December 30, 2011: Divorce Announcement

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

June 2012: Expressed her hopes for LGBT equality

In June 2012, Katy Perry expressed her hopes for LGBT equality, commenting that she hoped future generations would look back at the present time and be in disbelief that LGBT equality was not already a reality.

August 2012: Relationship with John Mayer

In August 2012, Katy Perry began a relationship with singer John Mayer, after her marriage with Russell Brand had ended.

December 2012: Awarded the Trevor Hero Award by The Trevor Project

In December 2012, Katy Perry was awarded the Trevor Hero Award by The Trevor Project for her work and activism on behalf of LGBT youth.

April 2013: Appeared in a video clip for the "Chime for Change" campaign

In April 2013, Katy Perry appeared in a video clip for the "Chime for Change" campaign that aimed to spread female empowerment.

April 2013: Joined UNICEF to assist children in Madagascar

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

August 2013: Opposed Tony Abbott's stance against same-sex marriage

In August 2013, prior to a performance in Australia, Katy Perry stated that she did not agree with conservative Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott's stance against same-sex marriage, telling him she loved him as a human being but couldn't give him her vote.

October 23, 2013: Hosted and performed at the We Can Survive concert

On October 23, 2013, Katy Perry hosted and performed at the We Can Survive concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, with profits donated to the Young Survival Coalition.

December 3, 2013: Named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

On December 3, 2013, Katy Perry was officially named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

2013: Named the "sexiest woman of 2013"

In 2013, Men's Health readers voted Katy Perry the "sexiest woman of 2013".

March 29, 2014: Helped raise $2.4 million for the Museum of Contemporary Art

On March 29, 2014, Katy Perry helped raise $2.4 million for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

April 2014: Publicly supported Marianne Williamson

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 in Art Exhibition and National Portrait Gallery

In May 2014, a portrait of Katy Perry by painter Mark Ryden was featured in his exhibition "The Gay 90s". Also that month, a portrait of Perry by artist Will Cotton was included in the United States National Portrait Gallery.

June 2014: Teamed up with Staples for "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.

2015: Attempted to purchase a former convent in Los Angeles

In 2015, Katy Perry attempted to purchase a former convent in Los Angeles, which sparked a years-long legal battle involving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, members of the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary, and real estate developer Dana Hollister.

March 2016: Performed at a fundraising concert for Hillary Clinton

In March 2016, Katy Perry performed alongside Elton John at a fundraising concert for Hillary Clinton in New York City. She also spoke and performed at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of Clinton.

May 2016: Worked with UNICEF to improve child care quality in Vietnam

In May 2016, Katy Perry worked with UNICEF to improve child care quality in Vietnam.

June 2016: Signed an open letter demanding increased gun control

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

November 2016: Endorsed Kamala Harris for US Senate and organized fundraiser

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

2016: Sale to Hollister ruled invalid

In 2016, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled the sale to Hollister invalid due to the absence of necessary church approval, clearing the way for Perry's purchase of a former convent in Los Angeles.

February 2017: Launch of Katy Perry Collections shoe line

In February 2017, Katy Perry launched her shoe line, Katy Perry Collections, available on its website and at retailers like Dillard's and Walmart.

February 26, 2017: Co-chaired the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award 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.

June 4, 2017: Performed at the One Love Manchester benefit concert

On June 4, 2017, Katy Perry performed at the One Love Manchester benefit concert for the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

2017: Launch of her shoe collection, Katy Perry Collections

During the 2017 launch of her shoe collection, Katy Perry Collections, she discussed how she cultivated her style on a budget by shopping at thrift and vintage stores and how fashion is a form of communication.

2017: Nation Equality Award from Human Rights Campaign

In 2017, Katy Perry received a Nation Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign for "using her powerful voice and international platform to speak out for LGBTQ equality". During her acceptance speech, she discussed having bisexual experiences, her fluid sexuality, and thanked the LGBTQ+ community.

2017: Jury awarded damages to Perry and the archdiocese

In 2017, a jury determined Hollister had intentionally interfered with Perry's real estate deal and awarded $5 million in compensatory damages—$3.47 million to the archdiocese and $1.57 million to Perry's company. The judge later imposed an additional $10 million in punitive damages, divided between Perry and the archdiocese.

March 2018: Announced Witness: Coming Home benefit concert

In March 2018, Katy Perry announced Witness: Coming Home, a benefit concert that was held in her hometown of Santa Barbara on May 19, 2018.

March 2018: Perry joins American Idol as a judge

In March 2018, Katy Perry began serving as a judge on the sixteenth season of American Idol, with a $25-million salary.

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May 19, 2018: Held Witness: Coming Home benefit concert

On May 19, 2018, Katy Perry held Witness: Coming Home, a benefit concert that benefited those recovering from the aftermath of the 2017 California wildfires and 2018 Southern California mudflows.

2018: Holzman died in court

In 2018, Sister Catherine Rose Holzman died in court during the legal battle over the sale of a former convent in Los Angeles.

February 14, 2019: Engagement to Orlando Bloom

On February 14, 2019, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom got engaged after reconciling in 2018.

March 2020: Perry announces pregnancy

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

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2020: Supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

In 2020, Katy Perry supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during the United States presidential election, praising Harris as a leader with "experience we desperately need right now" and believing that Biden choosing her as his running mate was "a testament to his decision making".

2021: Donations for Baby2Baby from Spotify streams

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

2021: Heralded as a "gay icon"

In a 2021 Out interview, Katy Perry was heralded as a "gay icon", with her song "I Kissed a Girl" being called a "bonafide queer anthem". She thanked the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting on her sheltered upbringing and how much growth has occurred since her career began.

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January 2022: Establishment of De Soi

In January 2022, Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan established De Soi, a company producing and selling non-alcoholic apéritifs.

June 8, 2022: Awarded the Key to Las Vegas; Declared "Katy Perry Day"

On June 8, 2022, Katy Perry was awarded with the Key to Las Vegas, and the same day was marked as Katy Perry Day.

2022: Criticized for voting for Rick Caruso

In 2022, Katy Perry posted a picture of herself voting for conservative candidate Rick Caruso in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, which Democrats heavily criticized her for.

2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris for office

During the 2024 United States presidential election, Katy Perry endorsed Kamala Harris for office, stating "I've always known her to fight for the most vulnerable, to speak up for the voiceless, and to protect our rights as women to make decisions about our own bodies".

April 14, 2025: Perry flies to space on Blue Origin NS-31

On April 14, 2025, Katy Perry flew into space aboard Blue Origin NS-31 under the New Shepard program, becoming part of the first all-female space flight since 1963. The event drew considerable criticism.