Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, widely known by her stage name Katy Perry, is a talented American singer-songwriter and musician. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, California to Christian pastors, she grew up surrounded by gospel music and even sang in church. She completed her GED during her first year of high school before pursuing a career in music. Her first album, released under the name Katy Hudson in 2001, was a gospel album that did not fare well due to the record label’s closure. She worked with The Matrix on an album from 2004 to 2005, followed by a solo album, but neither of these recordings was released.
