Katy Hudson

Santa Barbara, California, United States Now performing under the name, Katy Perry, in her early career she toured churches and released a gospel album in the U.S. under the name Katy Hudson. Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California. The middle child of two pastors, she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church. In her teenage years, Perry found a Queen record, ?and the heavens opened and saved me. From then on, they have been my biggest influence,? she said.

Now performing under the name, Katy Perry, in her early career she toured churches and released a gospel album in the U.S. under the name Katy Hudson.

Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California. The middle child of two pastors, she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church. In her teenage years, Perry found a Queen record, ?and the heavens opened and saved me. From then on, they have been my biggest influence,? she said. In an article for Blender Magazine, Perry stated she wasn't ?a typical Christian?, mentioning that she had done a ?lot of bad things? during her adolescence. Among her musical influences are Queen, The Beach Boys, Heart, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and Alanis Morissette.

At the age of 17, Perry began working with legendary producer and songwriter Glen Ballard. Her songs captured the attention of Virgin Records CEO Jason Flom, the head of Capitol Music Group. Katy Perry was signed to Capitol Music in Spring of 2007. She was named Blender's ?Next Big Thing? in October 2004 and Teen People's ?One to Watch.?

Her songs appeared on MTV's series ?The Hills? (?Self-Inflicted? and ?Thinking of You?) , on Oxygen Network's reality series ?Fight Girls? (?Fingerprints? - theme song), and on the 2005 film ?The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? (?Simple?). She was also featured on P.O.D.'s 2006 single ?Goodbye For Now.?

As an actress, she made a cameo appearance in Carbon Leaf's video ?Learn to Fly? and in Gym Class Heroes' video ?Cupid's Chokehold.? On March 10, 2008, she appeared as herself on ABC Family's ?Wildfire? (episode titled ?Life's Too Short?). She also has appeared in advertisements for Too Faced Cosmetics' Spring 2007 line.

Perry is set to perform on the Vans Warped Tour in 2008.

She has also modeled for very reputable designers.