Born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (October 25, 1984), an American pop musician. Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a career in music. As Katy Hudson, she released a self-titled gospel album in 2001, which was deemed unsuccessful. It was only after signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years and adopting the stage name Katy Perry that her first Internet single "Ur So Gay" garnered public attention. She rose to fame with the release of her second single "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008, which went on to top international charts and as well as her second single "Hot n Cold" both received multi-platinum certifications. Her second studio album Teenage Dream was released in August 2010 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album included hit singles "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream" and "Firework", all of which topped the charts on the Billboard Hot 100.