About the Artist

Who Sounds Like Who
V. Rose  Moriah Peters  Holly Starr  Terrian  Katy Nichole  Natalie Layne 

Who is she
In 2008, a new artist named Katy Perry took over pop radio with her headline-grabbing single, I Kissed A Girland she has been making headlines ever since. With hit after hit after hit, Perry has quickly become one of the biggest stars in the world, breaking multiple records in a few short years. She is the most followed person ever on Twitter. She is the top selling digital artist of all time. Her album, Teenage Dream, sent five singles to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, tying a record that only Michael Jackson has ever accomplished. Her tours are massive spectacles of production and she has also successfully entered the worlds of perfume, movies, cosmetics and even snack foods. Part of her mass appeal is her playful, winking personality; the goofy girl next door who is always in on the joke, but never takes it too far. Extremely talented and unbelievably driven, Katy Perry has built her massive career on catchy songs and hard work. Needless to say, almost everyone knows who Katy Perry is.

What are her messages
Though she has released her fair share of groan-worthy songs that are filled with double entendres and immature lyrics beneath her talent, Perry has also written some pretty powerful songs. Self-empowerment is a huge theme running through her music, found in anthems such as Firework and Roar. While songs like Unconditionally, Lost and By The Grace of God show not only a real depth as a songwriter, but also hint at her roots as a pastor's kid growing up. Her song, Who Am I Living For is a retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, relating it to her own life. When asked about the song, Perry responded by saying it was about the "constant battle between staying true to her faith, and falling down in the perils of a celebrity lifestyle". Overall, her messages, especially to her young fanbase, are to be true to yourself, whoever you are and to believe in yourself, regardless of what others say.

What Does a Youth Leader Need2Know
Katy Perry is a bag of mixed messages. One minute, she can be singing about God saving her from a dark time in her life and the next song will find her comparing her love to witchcraft. It is likely that many of your students are familiar with most of Perry's songs so it is important for you to be familiar enough with them to engage. She seems to know the foundations of Biblical truth, due to her upbringing but she also seems to be finding herself and building the framework of what she personally believes. Doing so in the spotlight is harsh and unforgiving, but as she does, she is a great example to young people about the importance of establishing a firm foundation.