Biography

Early life
Perry was born in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The middle child of two pastors,[1] she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church.[6] She graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California in 2003 and immediately moved to Los Angeles at the age of eighteen.[7] She changed her surname to Perry because "Katy Hudson" was too close to Kate Hudson.[8] Perry is her mother's maiden name.[1]

In her teenage years, Perry found a Queen album with her friend, and later said, "From then on, they have been my biggest influence".[9] Also among her musical influences are Alanis Morissette,[10][11] Heart, and Joni Mitchell, as well as the Incubus album Morning View.[12] Perry's biggest influences are pop rockers Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and Shirley Manson, who, Perry says, "came out with a vengeance".[13]