Katy Perry
Katy Perry through the years: Photos from early Katy Hudson days to pop icon
Jan. 27, 2025Updated April 16, 2025, 6:34 a.m. ET

From her gospel roots as Katy Hudson to becoming one of the queens of pop and camp, Katy Perry has lived several "Lifetimes." Since she burst out on the scene in 2008 with the earworm hits "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold," Perry has churned out a spate of iconic singles, including "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "Dark Horse" and "Roar."Here's a look back at her life and career over the past two decades.
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Katy Perry attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 2, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.
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Katy Perry performs during iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2024 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13, 2024, in New York City.
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Katy Perry performs onstage during iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2024 Presented By Capital One at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13, 2024, in New York City.
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Katy Perry performs onstage during iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2024 Presented By Capital One at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13, 2024, in New York City.
Theo Wargo, Getty Images For IHeartRadio
Katy Perry attends the Balenciaga Paris Womenswear spring/summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Sept. 30, 2024, in Paris.
Arnold Jerocki, Getty Images For Balenciaga
Katy Perry attends the Baby2Baby gala at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, on Nov. 9, 2024.
MICHAEL TRAN, AFP Via Getty Images
Katy Perry performs during the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.
Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos, Via Getty Images
Katy Perry poses in the press room during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York.
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Katy Perry performs onstage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York, where received the MTV Video Vanguard Award.
Manny Carabel, Getty Images For MTV
Katy Perry performs onstage during the coronation concert celebrating the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 7, 2023, in Windsor, England.
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Honoree Katy Perry accepts an award onstage during Variety's Power of Women Presented by Lifetime at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 30, 2021, in Beverly Hills, California.
Amy Sussman, Getty Images For Variety
Katy Perry performs onstage during KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Dec. 6, 2019.
FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP Via Getty Images
Katy Perry performs on March 11, 2020, in Bright, Australia. The free Fight On concert was held for fighters and communities recently affected by the devastating bushfires in Victoria.
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Katy Perry attends 2019 Baby2Baby Gala presented by Paul Mitchell at 3LABS on Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, California.
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Katy Perry attends the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Katy Perry performs at the David Lynch Foundation's "Silence the Violence" benefit at The Anthem on Oct. 11, 2019, in Washington, DC.
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Katy Perry, left, and Kacey Musgraves perform onstage at the 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2019.
VALERIE MACON, AFP/Getty ImagesKaty Perry speaks in support of Hillary Clinton before performing during the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, on July 28, 2018.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom attend the L.A. premiere of Amazon's "Carnival Row" at TCL Chinese Theatre on Aug. 21, 2019, in Hollywood, California.
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Katy Perry performs during Byron Allen's Oscar Gala Viewing Party to Support The Children's Hospital Los Angeles at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on March 4, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California.
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Katy Perry performs onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on Turner's TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
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Katy Perry performs at the Staples Center on Nov. 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams pose during the photocall before the Chanel 2017-2018 fall/winter Haute Couture collection show in Paris on July 4, 2017.
PATRICK KOVARIK, AFP/Getty ImagesKaty Perry performs during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 12, 2017.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Katy Perry performs onstage during 102.7 KIIS FM's 2017 Wango Tango at StubHub Center on May 13, 2017, in Carson, California.
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Katy Perry attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on Aug. 27, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
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Katy Perry performs during "Katy Perry - Witness World Wide" exclusive YouTube livestream concert at Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts on June 12, 2017, in Los Angeles.
Timothy Norris, Getty Images
Katy Perry sang during a Kiss FM Studio visit on June 23, 2017, in London, England. Katy Perry performed an exclusive set of songs for a select set of fans before her appearance at the Glastonbury Festival.
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Democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) raises her arms with recording artist Katy Perry (L) during a get-out-the-vote concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 5, 2016 in Philadelphia. Three days until election day, Hillary Clinton campaigned in Florida and Pennsylvania.
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Honoree Dolly Parton (L) and recording artist Katy Perry perform onstage during the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2016, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs at the Dubai Airport's air show gala dinner as part of the launch of their new project musicDXB at Atlantis The Palm on Nov. 10, 2015, in Dubai.
Stefania M. D'Alessandro, Getty Images
Katy Perry rallies supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton outside the Iowa Events Center before the start of the Jefferson-Jackson dinner on Oct. 24, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Scott Olson, Getty Images
Katy Perry attends the hand and footprint ceremony for Katy Perry and Jeremy Scott and the premiere of "Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer" in Los Angeles on Sept. 8, 2015.
ANGELA WEISS, AFP/Getty Images
Katy Perry performs at 2015 Rock in Rio on Sept. 27, 2015, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mauricio Santana, Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives at the 2015 Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala benefit in honor of the museum's latest exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass, on May 4, 2015, in New York.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images
Katy Perry performs onstage during her 'Prismatic' world tour concert at Cotai Arena on May 1, 2015, in Macau.
Anthony Kwan, Getty Images
Katy Perry attends the NYLON Midnight Garden Party at a private residence on April 10, 2015, in Bermuda Dunes, California.
Rachel Murray, Getty Images For NYLON
Katy Perry speaks during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show press conference at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix on Jan. 29, 2015.
Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
Katy Perry attends The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Remember left shark? Katy Perry pulled off an iconic performance with songs such as "Teenage Dream" and "California Gurls" during the halftime show for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl XLIX game on Feb. 1, 2015.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images
Her setlist also included "Roar," "Firework" and "Get Ur Freak On" / "Work It."
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports
Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott were Perry's special guests.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
The show earned Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
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Katy Perry takes a selfie with fans at the 28th Annual ARIA Awards 2014 at the Star on Nov. 26, 2014, in Sydney, Australia.
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Katy Perry performs live at Allphones Arena on Nov. 21, 2014, in Sydney, Australia.
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Katy Perry performs on her Prismatic World Tour Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
David KadlubowskI, The Republic
Katy Perry and rapper Juicy J perform "Dark Horse" during the 56th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2014, in Los Angeles.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV EMAs at the Ziggo Dome on Nov. 10, 2013, in Amsterdam.
Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images For MTV
Katy Perry performs during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park on Aug. 25, 2013, in Brooklyn, New York.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images For MTV
Katy Perry attends the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013, in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images For The Huffington Post
Katy Perry poses during the "Smurfs 2" photo call at the gigth annual Summer Of Sony on April 22, 2013, in Cancun, Mexico.
Matt Dames/Sony Pictures Entertainment Via Getty Images
Katy Perry speaks onstage at the 55th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2013, in Los Angeles.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry greet each other at the 55th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2013, in Los Angeles.
Christopher Polk, Getty Images For NARAS
Katy Perry performs at a campaign rally for U.S. President Barack Obama at Doolittle Park on Oct. 24, 2012, in Las Vegas.
John Gurzinski, Getty Images
Niall Horan of One Direction accepts the best pop video award from Katy Perry during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives at the premiere of "Katy Perry: Part Of Me" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 26, 2012, in Hollywood, California.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs during Nickelodeon's 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards at Galen Center on March 31, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs at the 54th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives at the 54th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Katy Perry attends "The Smurfs" premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on July 24, 2011, in New York City.
Jemal Countess, Getty Images
Katy Perry and her grandmother Ann Hudson arrive for the 53rd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2011.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives for the 53rd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2011.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty Images
Katy Perry performs during "VH1 Divas Salute the Troops" presented by the USO at the MCAS Miramar on Dec. 3, 2010 in Miramar, California.
Michael Caulfield
Perry performs during the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Lexington Avenue Armory on Nov. 10, 2010, in New York City.
Theo Wargo, Getty Images
Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg perform "California Gurls" at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Studios on June 6, 2010, in Universal City, California.
Christopher Polk, Getty Images
Katy Perry attends the Costume Institute Gala Benefit to celebrate the opening of the "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 3, 2010, in New York City.
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
Katy Perry gets slimed onstage at Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on March 27, 2010, in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter
Katy Parry arrives at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 31, 2010, in Los Angeles.
Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Fergie pose together at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards — Salute to Icons Honoring Doug Morris at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 30, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California.
Larry Busacca, Getty Images For NARAS
Katy Perry arrives at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York City.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs on NBC's "Today" Show at Rockefeller Center on July 24, 2009, in New York City.
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs during the 17th Life Ball in Vienna on May 16, 2009.
JOE KLAMAR, AFP Via Getty Images
Katy Perry is seen on stage during the 51st annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Larry Busacca, Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives on the red carpet at VH1's 14th annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Jan. 8, 2009, in Santa Monica, California.
Frazer Harrison
Katy Perry performs at the MTV Europe Music Awards at the Echo Arena on Nov. 6, 2008, in Liverpool, England.
Getty Images, Getty Images
Katy Perry gives into a cake prop during the MTV Latino America 2008 Music Awards in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, on Oct. 16, 2008.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT, AFP Via Getty Images
Katy Parry performs at Vans Warped Tour on July 25, 2008, in Camden, New Jersey.
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Katy Perry attends the Katy Perry record release party for "One of the Boys" at Capitol Records on June 17, 2008, in Los Angeles.
Jesse Grant
Katy Perry appears during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on June 9, 2008, in New York City.
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Katy Perry performs during the taping of Spike TV's second annual "Guys Choice" Awards at Sony Studios on May 30, 2008, in Culver City, California.
Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images
Katy Perry poses in the press room during Z100's Zootopia at the IZOD Center on May 17, 2008, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Rob Loud, Getty Images
Katy Perry performs with Ferras at the DirecTV SXSW Live Broadcast on March 14, 2008, at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.
Sasha Haagensen/GettyImages For DirecTV
Katy Perry arrives in Bryant Park during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008 event on Sept. 5, 2007, in New York City.
Katy Winn, Getty Images For IMG
Katy Perry poses for a picture at the launch party for the Nintendo Wii game console on Nov. 16, 2006, at Boulevard 3 in Los Angeles.
Toby Canham, Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives at the SONY BMG Grammy Party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Feb. 8, 2006, in Hollywood, California.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Katy Perry arrives at The Abbey / Esquire Magazine' The Envelope Please Oscar viewing party on Feb. 27, 2005, at The Abbey in West Hollywood, California.
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Katy Perry is seen at Jimmy Choo's annual Oscar Collection Preview and Tea at the Peninsula Hotel on Feb. 23, 2004, in Beverly Hills, California.
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