Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer and songwriter. She had limited exposure to secular music during her childhood and pursued a career in gospel music as a teenager. Perry...  moreKatheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer and songwriter. She had limited exposure to secular music during her childhood and pursued a career in gospel music as a teenager. Perry signed with Red Hill Records, and released her debut studio album, Katy Hudson, in 2001. She moved to Los Angeles the following year to venture into secular music. After being dropped by The Island Def Jam Music Group and Columbia Records, she signed a deal with Capitol Records in April 2007.  less