When Did Katy Perry Become Famous?

Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, has been a big part of the music industry for years now. Between her unbridled talent, unbelievably popular hits, and controversial moments, Perry is a name music lovers will never forget.

Just look at how the tabloids explode whenever whispers of her and Taylor Swift bickering hit the headlines! Controversy aside, the California Gurls singer sure has made a name for herself, for better or for worse.

Katy Perry’s humble beginnings

Perry got into music when she was just 9 years old. Her elder sister, Angela, was a singer and young Perry found herself practicing to her sister’s cassette tapes so she could be just like her. After showing off her skills to her parents, they enrolled her in vocal lessons so she could follow in Angela’s footsteps.

Perry’s first gig was singing for her parents’ ministry. She continued to do so until she was 17 years old. While that explains her beautiful voice, what about her other musical talents? The songbird was gifted a guitar when she was 13 and even took a handful of dancing lessons during her formative years. 

Perry’s problematic path to success

The Rise singers voice eventually got noticed by rock artists Jennifer Knapp and Steve Thomas. The pair has Perry come to Nashville, Tennessee to improve her skills as a musician. It was in Nashville, that Perry began cultivating her career. She recorded demos and honed her writing day in and day out. Ultimately, she signed with Red Hill Records and released her debut album, Katy Hudson. While the gospel album went over well with critics, it didn’t sell as she had hoped.

Once Red Hill Records tanked she needed to find a new place to call home. She crossed paths with Glen Ballard whom she began writing songs for. It was this run-in that pushed Perry from gospel music to the secular music that was outlawed while she was growing up. The songstress eventually signed on with Ballard’s label but once the label was dropped so were her current projects. 

Despite things going south, Ballard recognized her talent and quickly got her noticed at Columbia Records where she was signed as a solo artist. Columbia dropped Perry in 2006 before she even got a chance to finish her record! She just couldn’t catch a break.

Perry went on to do a few projects that were featured in movies and work with other artists but her big day as a soloist just wouldn’t come. 

Katy Perry finally gets her big break

Things turned around for Perry when she got signed to Capitol Records in 2007. The label knew Perry had what it took to make a star and set her on the golden path to success.

They crafted a smash hit or two to blend in with her current material in preparation for her real debut. What tracks did they help her with? None other than the unforgettable I Kissed a Girl and Hot n Cold on the One of the Boys EP. 

Katy Perry ‘Kissed a girl’

I Kissed a Girl was released on April 28, 2008, as the lead single to her debut album with Capitol Records. When the song was first played by WRVW, the station received calls from listeners who were enamored with the song! The track quickly climbed the US Billboard Hot 100 and ranked at No. 1 for a whopping seven weeks. It spent 23 weeks on the chart total before being bumped off.

The track stirred the pot considering the LGBT theme. Religious groups, of course, criticized the album for its homosexual nature and LGBT groups felt that Perry was just using bi-curiosity to generate popularity for the record. But any advertising is good advertising! When the album finally dropped it peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and sold an astounding seven million copies around the world. It was a far cry from her initial debut!

The other destined hit single, Hot n Cold, followed the released of the album and got the attention the label knew it would. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Several other songs from the album also managed to place in the charts — a testament to how great the album was! It was at this point that Perry became a successful solo artist and her career really took off. So, next time you listen to a Perry song, remember the trials and tribulations she went through to become to amazing performer the world knows and loves!