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c h i k k a
i n t e r v i e w
Singer-songwriter and
Part of Me
star Katy Perry talks
about success, being a role model, how her colorful past
has shaped her, and what she’s doing next. By Tony
Clayton-Lea/Celebritext
Making
f ireworks
PHOTO
ARI MICHELSON
How important is the
entertainment factor in
your shows?
I think too many people are stressed out in
life, and have so many responsibilities and
worries and cares. Sometimes it’s nice to
take a two-hour break from them and from
reality, because reality [can be a pain].
Are awards important to
you?
In a way, some of them are. It depends on
how they’re won or achieved. If they’re won
by voters or by a group of people who get
together and decide you deserve it, then
that’s nice. But the ones that mean the most
to me are those that fans — who took the
time to sit in front of a computer and vote —
have won for me. That’s a nice gesture, but
my favorite is when they come and see me,
and I get to have a year-long sold-out tour.
That feels like commitment to me.
But they
,
re not why you
,
re
in the music biz.
No, no… They’re the extra, the bonus. I got
into music because it was my outlet. Some
people are painters, some are writers, and
music is how I express myself. It makes
me feel very good when I express myself
through that outlet. But I also love the
reaction I can get; it’s almost like I’m a
magician and have my trick — levitation
or disappearing — and everyone goes
“
Ooohh!” You get everyone’s attention for,
like, [clicks fingers] a hot second. That feels
really good. Besides, I was always a show-
off when I was growing up. Still am, kind of.
That’s wearing off a little, though.
There is a serious side to
you as well.
Well, I’m not all pink Champagne, I’m a
dark Malbec sometimes. Women, if you’ve
ever had any dealings with them, are very
complex. We have multiple personalities
inside us that rear their different heads
at different times and whenever we
choose, and change our minds. So I feel
I have different sides to my character and
personality, and I just play them whenever
I feel like playing them. I like to keep it
balanced, and it’s nice to show that side
because it surprises people. I started out
playing acoustic guitar, singing in cafés
and the like. I didn’t always have the crazy
outfits.
What do you think about
the role model aspect of
your success?
I think some people project the role model
aspects of being a pop star more than
others. And I think, even three or four years
ago, it was more of a trend thing. For me?
I can’t tell you when to do something or to
be something or which way you should go,
Katy is so
spontaneous she
changes hair color
every few days!
