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 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

2009: FIMI lists Perry as 98th most certified music artist in Italy

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: Perry begins record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 streak

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

September 2011: Perry ends record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 streak

Ending in 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 Record

In November 2011, Katy Perry received an honorary American Music Award and a Guinness record for Teenage Dream producing four number one singles.

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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 in "How I Met Your Mother".

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January 2012: End of California Dreams Tour

In January 2012, Katy Perry's California Dreams Tour concluded, grossing $59.5 million globally and earning her the award for Best Live Act at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards.

September 2012: Billboard names Perry "Woman of the Year"

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

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.

November 2013: Most Followed Person on Twitter

In November 2013, Katy Perry surpassed Justin Bieber as the most followed person on Twitter.

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.

2013: IFPI Top Global Recording Artist Ranking

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

2013: Sexiest Woman Alive

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

2013: Perry declared Top Global Female Recording Artist of 2013 by IFPI

Katy Perry was declared the Top Global Female Recording Artist of 2013 by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

June 26, 2014: Top Certified Digital Artist Ever by RIAA

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.

February 1, 2015: Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Performance

On February 1, 2015, Katy Perry performed at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, which garnered 118.5 million viewers in the United States, becoming the most watched show in Super Bowl history.

2015: Forbes ranks Perry number one on their "Top-Earning Women In Music" list

In 2015, Forbes ranked Katy Perry number one on their "Top-Earning Women In Music" list with earnings of $135 million and also declared her the highest earning female celebrity.

February 10, 2017: Release of "Chained to the Rhythm"

On February 10, 2017, Katy Perry released "Chained to the Rhythm" featuring Skip Marley as the lead single from her upcoming album. The song reached number one in Hungary and number four in the United States, and broke Spotify's record for the highest first-day streaming for a single track by a female artist, with over three million streams within 24 hours.

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June 2017: 100 Million Twitter Followers

In June 2017, Katy Perry became the first person to gain 100 million followers on Twitter, receiving a Guinness record for this milestone. Time magazine listed Perry among its "25 Most Influential People on the Internet" of the year.

2017: Perry becomes first artist with three Diamond-certified songs from the RIAA

In 2017, Katy Perry became the first artist to have three Diamond-certified songs from the RIAA: "Roar", "Dark Horse", and "Firework".

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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: Included in Variety 500

In 2017, Variety included Katy Perry in their Variety 500 list of the most influential business leaders, calling her a "global phenomenon" and recognizing her impact through chart-topping hits, sold-out shows, and endorsements.

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.

2018: Forbes tops Perry as "Highest-Paid Women in Music"

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.

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

In September 2021, Katy Perry was honored by Variety in their "Power of Women" issue, where she discussed her career, motherhood, and philanthropy. She also attended the Variety 2021 "Power of Women" dinner as a nominee.

June 8, 2022: Awarded Key to Las Vegas

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

2022: "One of the Last Decade's Most Reliable Hitmakers"

In 2022, the Official Charts Company named Katy Perry "one of the last decade's most reliable and successful hitmakers".

September 2025: Second-Most Followed Woman on Twitter

As of September 2025, Katy Perry was the second-most followed woman on Twitter, with over 104 million followers.

2025: Billboard ranks Perry on multiple "Greatest of All Time" lists

In 2025, Billboard ranked Katy Perry fifth on its "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list and 25th on the "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" list.