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 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

2009: FIMI listed Perry as the 98th most certified 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 run in Billboard Hot 100 top ten

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

September 2011: Ended record-breaking run in Billboard Hot 100 top ten

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

November 2011: American Music Award and Guinness Record

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

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

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

January 5, 2012: Named 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. She also became the first artist to have four songs sell over 5 million digital units.

January 2012: People's Choice Award

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

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September 2012: Billboard dubbed her the "Woman of the Year"

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

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.

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

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

November 2013: Most followed person on Twitter

In November 2013, Katy Perry surpassed Justin Bieber to become the most followed person on Twitter and received a Guinness record.

December 3, 2013: Named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

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

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

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

2013: Named the "sexiest woman of 2013"

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

2013: Ranked Among Top Global Recording Artists

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

2013: Declared the Top Global Female Recording Artist of 2013

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

On June 26, 2014, Katy Perry was declared the Top Certified Digital Artist Ever by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

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

In 2014, Katy Perry ranked fifth on the Forbes list for "Top-Earning Women In Music" with $40 million.

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

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"

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, with earnings of $135 million.

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.

June 2017: First person to gain 100 million Twitter followers

In June 2017, Katy Perry became the first person to gain 100 million followers on Twitter.

2017: Became the 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 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: 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 described by Variety as a "global phenomenon" in their Variety 500 list.

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: Ranked number four on Forbes "Highest-Paid Women in Music" listings

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

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

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

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.

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

During May 2024, the 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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