Katy Perry, an American singer, songwriter, and television judge, has a net worth of $400 million. As one of the highest-paid entertainers globally, Perry has consistently ranked among the top earners in the entertainment industry for over a decade. In September 2023, she made headlines by selling her music catalog to Litmus Music for a staggering $225 million.
From 2009 to 2014, Perry earned between $30 million and $50 million annually, thanks to album sales, merchandise, touring, and endorsements. Between June 2014 and June 2015, she amassed an estimated $135 million. For the period between June 2018 and June 2019, Perry earned $60 million, and from June 2019 to June 2020, she earned $40 million, with $25 million coming from her role as a host on “American Idol.”
Perry’s career took off in the early 2000s. Her debut album, “Katy Hudson,” released in 2001, was a gospel record, but it wasn’t until the release of the 2008 single “I Kissed a Girl” from the album “One of the Boys” that she gained global fame. The song’s daring subject matter and catchy hook helped her break into mainstream success.
The next few years saw Perry solidify her place in pop history. Her 2010 album “Teenage Dream” produced five number-one Billboard Hot 100 hits, including tracks like “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework.” She became the first female artist, and the second artist altogether, after Michael Jackson, to achieve this milestone.
Perry’s appeal is not limited to her musical talent. She’s also known for her colorful, visually stunning music videos and performances, often featuring extravagant costumes and imaginative themes. Her versatility has also led her to voice acting roles, such as playing Smurfette in the “Smurfs” films, and judging on the popular reality show “American Idol.”
Though Perry’s career has had its ups and downs, her ability to reinvent herself has kept her relevant in the ever-changing music terrain. Albums like “Prism” (2013) and “Witness” (2017) showcased her growth as an artist, exploring different themes and sounds.
Early Life
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, was born in Santa Barbara, California, on October 25, 1984. Raised in a strict Pentecostal household by her parents, Mary and Maurice, Perry moved frequently as a child, accompanying her parents while they set up churches across the country. She lived in multiple locations before settling in Santa Barbara when she was around 11 years old. Perry has two siblings.
Growing up, Perry’s musical exposure was limited to religious and gospel music due to her family’s devout faith. She first discovered pop music by sneaking CDs from friends. At the age of nine, she started vocal training after seeing her sister take lessons, and she began singing in her parents’ church.
Career Beginnings
After completing her General Educational Development (GED) requirements at 15, Perry left school to pursue a music career. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she worked with rock artists Steven Thomas and Jennifer Knapp. Perry signed with Red Hill Records and released her debut gospel album, “Katy Hudson,” in 2001. However, the album sold only about 200 copies despite receiving positive critical reviews.
At 17, Perry moved to Los Angeles and shifted her focus from gospel to secular pop music. She signed with Java Records in 2004, which was later affiliated with The Island Def Jam Music Group. When Java was dropped, Perry signed with Columbia Records but was let go in 2006.
Continued Success
In 2009, Katy Perry became a guest judge on “American Idol” during its ninth season. This was a precursor to her formal role as a judge, which began in 2018 when she joined the show’s revival.
Perry’s 2010 album “Teenage Dream” produced several massive hits, including “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” and “E.T.” All five singles from the album topped the Billboard Hot 100, making Perry the first female artist to achieve this feat.
Her commercial success continued as she was named the sixth best-selling digital artist in the U.S. in 2012. Between 2011 and 2012, Perry embarked on her second headlining tour, the “California Dream Tour,” grossing $59.5 million worldwide. She also released the autobiographical documentary “Katy Perry: Part of Me,” which grossed $32.7 million worldwide.
Perry’s fourth studio album, “Prism,” was released in 2013, eventually selling 4 million copies by 2015. She followed up with the “Prismatic World Tour,” which grossed $204.3 million. She also performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015, drawing 114.4 million viewers, surpassing the Super Bowl’s actual game viewership.
In 2014, Perry formed her own record label, Metamorphosis Music, later renamed Unsub Records. She released “Witness” in 2017, followed by “Witness: The Tour.” In 2020, she released her sixth studio album, “Smile.”
In September 2023, Katy Perry sold her music catalog, including her share of the master recordings and publishing rights for five albums released between 2008 and 2020. The deal with Litmus Music was worth $225 million, marking a significant move in her career.
Other Ventures
Apart from her music career, Perry has made numerous guest appearances on shows like “Saturday Night Live,” “The Simpsons,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” She made her film debut in 2011, voicing Smurfette in “The Smurfs” and its 2013 sequel. Additionally, she appeared in “Zoolander 2” and made various appearances on “Jeopardy!” and “Masterchef Australia.”
Perry has also been actively involved in charity work, supporting organizations like UNICEF, Baby2Baby, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In 2014, she collaborated with Staples Inc. to donate $1 million to DonorsChoose.org, among other charitable efforts.
Hosting American Idol
In 2018, Perry signed on as a judge for the reboot of “American Idol,” earning a $15 million salary in her first season. Her salary was increased to $25 million for subsequent seasons, further contributing to her wealth.
In addition to her music career, Perry has ventured into business with several fragrances, including Purr (2010), and Meow! (2011), Killer Queen (2013), and Mad Potion (2015). She also invested in Popchips became a spokesperson for the brand in 2012, and launched her mobile game, “Katy Perry Pop,” in 2015.
Real Estate
Katy Perry has made several notable real estate purchases. In 2014, she bought an 8.5-acre property in Los Angeles for $14.5 million. However, a lengthy court battle over the sale with nuns living on the property delayed the deal. Perry eventually prevailed in the legal dispute.
In 2017, she bought a Beverly Hills mansion for $19 million, which she later sold for $18 million in 2022. She also purchased another Beverly Hills home in 2018 for $7.5 million, listing it for sale in 2020.
In 2019, Perry sold two properties in LA’s Runyon Canyon for $12.3 million. She also purchased a $15 million property in Montecito, California, with Orlando Bloom. However, a legal battle arose over the sale, which ultimately resulted in Perry and Bloom successfully securing their new home.
In 2020, Katy and Orlando bought a different mansion in Montecito for $14.2 million. The couple also sought damages from the previous owner after a court ruling in their favor.
