Katy Perry's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Katy Perry. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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's known for her significant impact on pop music and her flamboyant "camp" style. She has even been called the 'Queen of Camp' by notable publications such as Vogue and Rolling Stone.

Sections (4)

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

2009: Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana listed Katy Perry as the 98th most certified music artist

In Italy, the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) listed Katy Perry as the 98th most certified music artist since the certification database became available in 2009.

May 2010: Began record-breaking streak on Billboard Hot 100

From May 2010, Katy Perry spent a record-breaking 69 consecutive weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

September 2011: Continued record-breaking streak on Billboard Hot 100

Up to September 2011, Katy Perry spent a record-breaking 69 consecutive weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

November 2011: American Music Award and Guinness World Record

In November 2011, Katy Perry received an honorary American Music Award and another Guinness World Record for being the second artist after Michael Jackson to have five number-one Billboard Hot 100 songs from one album.

2011: Ranked third on Forbes' "Top-Earning Women In Music" list

In 2011, Forbes ranked Katy Perry third on their "Top-Earning Women In Music" list with earnings of $44 million.

January 5, 2012: Sixth Best-Selling Digital Artist

On January 5, 2012, Katy Perry was named the sixth best-selling digital artist in the United States, with sales of 37.6 million units according to Nielsen SoundScan.

January 2012: People's Choice Award

In January 2012, Katy Perry won the People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Guest Star for her role on the How I Met Your Mother episode "Oh Honey".

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September 2012: Dubbed the "Woman of the Year" by Billboard

In September 2012, Billboard dubbed Katy Perry the "Woman of the Year".

December 2012: Awarded the Trevor Hero Award

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.

2012: Ranked fifth on Forbes' "Top-Earning Women In Music" list

In 2012, Forbes ranked Katy Perry fifth on their list of "Top-Earning Women In Music" with $45 million.

November 2013: Most Followed Person on Twitter

In November 2013, Katy Perry surpassed Justin Bieber as the most followed person on Twitter, marking a significant milestone in her social media presence.

December 3, 2013: Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

On December 3, 2013, Katy Perry was officially named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on engaging young people in improving the lives of vulnerable children and adolescents.

2013: Ranked seventh on Forbes' "Top-Earning Women In Music" list

In 2013, Katy Perry ranked seventh on the Forbes list for "Top-Earning Women In Music" with $39 million earned.

2013: Sexiest Woman of 2013

In 2013, Men's Health readers voted Katy Perry the "sexiest woman of 2013", recognizing her as a sex symbol.

2013: Top Global Recording Artist

In 2013, The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Katy Perry fifth on the list of Top Global Recording Artists.

June 26, 2014: Top Certified Digital Artist Ever

On June 26, 2014, Katy Perry was declared the Top Certified Digital Artist Ever by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for certified sales of 72 million digital singles in the United States.

2014: Ranked fifth on Forbes' "Top-Earning Women In Music" list

In 2014, Katy Perry ranked fifth on their Forbes list with $40 million.

February 1, 2015: Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance

On February 1, 2015, Katy Perry performed at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, garnering 118.5 million viewers in the United States.

June 2015: "Dark Horse" music video reached one billion views

In June 2015, Katy Perry's music video for "Dark Horse" became the first video by a female artist to reach one billion views on Vevo.

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2015: Ranked number one on Forbes' "Top-Earning Women In Music" list

With earnings of $135 million, in 2015, Forbes ranked Katy Perry number one on their "Top-Earning Women In Music" list as well as the "World's Highest-Paid Musicians" and declared her the highest earning female celebrity in 2015, placing her at number 3 on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.

2016: Ranked number six on Forbes' list of "Highest-Paid Women in Music"

In 2016, Forbes estimated Katy Perry's net worth was $125 million, and ranked her number six on their list of "Highest-Paid Women in Music" with earnings of $41 million.

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 the convent.

June 2017: First Person to Gain 100 Million Followers on Twitter

In June 2017, Katy Perry became the first person to gain 100 million followers on Twitter, solidifying her influence on social media. Time Magazine also listed her among the "25 Most Influential People on the Internet" for her live-stream for 'Witness'.

2017: First artist to have three Diamond-certified songs from the RIAA

In 2017, Katy Perry became the first artist to have three Diamond-certified songs from the RIAA. Her new certification for "Roar" joined her previously Diamond-certified songs "Dark Horse" and "Firework".

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2017: Nation Equality Award from Human Rights Campaign

In 2017, Katy Perry received a Nation Equality Award from 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: Included in Glamour's "104 Women Who Defined the Decade in Pop Culture"

In 2017, Katy Perry was included in Glamour's "104 Women Who Defined the Decade in Pop Culture" list and was also mentioned in a journal published by Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Additionally, she has been called a "gay icon" by Taylor Henderson of Out.

2017: Jury awarded damages in real estate deal interference

In 2017, a jury determined Hollister had intentionally interfered with Katy 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.

2018: Topped Forbes' "Highest-Paid Women in Music" listing

In 2018, Katy Perry topped Forbes' "Highest-Paid Women in Music" listing and ranked at number four on the "Highest-Paid Female Celebrities" list, with earnings of $83 million.

2019: Placed at number four on the "Highest-Paid Women in Music" listings

In 2019, Katy Perry was placed at number four on the "Highest-Paid Women in Music" listings, with $57.5 million.

September 2021: Honored in Variety's "Power of Women" issue

In September 2021, Variety paid tribute to and honored Katy Perry in their "Power of Women" issue, where she discussed her career, motherhood, and philanthropy. She also attended the Variety 2021 "Power of Women" dinner.

2021: Heralded as a "gay icon"

In a 2021 Out interview, Katy Perry was heralded as a "gay icon" with "I Kissed a Girl" being called a "bonafide queer anthem". Perry continued to thank the LGBTQ+ community in the same interview, saying she came from a sheltered upbringing, where it wasn't okay to be friends with the LGBTQ community, but now that is her community, and she wouldn't have survived without them.

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June 8, 2022: Awarded the Key to Las Vegas and Katy Perry Day

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

2022: Referred to as "Queen of Pop"

In 2022, Katy Perry was referred to as the "Queen of Pop" by several media outlets and named "one of the last decade's most reliable and successful hitmakers" by the Official Charts Company.

September 2023: Forbes surmised her net worth was $340 million

During September 2023, Forbes surmised Katy Perry's net worth was $340 million.

May 2024: "Roar" music video reached four billion views

During May 2024, Katy Perry's music video for "Roar" reached four billion views, making it the most viewed music video by a female artist on YouTube at that time.

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