Katy Perry Isn't One of the Boys

With a number 1 single just around the corner and Madonna among her fan base, Katy Perry's two gay songs have made her a pop sensation.

By Paul E. Pratt

Three months ago Katy Perry was merely an Internet sensation. The YouTube video for “Ur So Gay” -- taken from her EP of the same name -- had fans clamoring for a full-length release. Now “I Kissed a Girl,” the lead single from Perry’s debut, One of the Boys, is becoming a radio staple and has pushed the middle child of two Santa Barbara, Calif., pastors into the Billboard top 5.

While Perry might appear to be an overnight sensation, her album, released June 17, was five years in the making. Since joining forces with Glen Ballard (most famous as the producer of Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill) at 17, she has tapped musical tastemakers from Dave Stewart and Butch Walker to Dr. Luke, the hit machine behind Pink’s “U + Ur Hand” and her own “I Kissed a Girl,” for the project. Before hitting the road on the Vans Warped Tour, Perry talked to The Advocate about her strict upbringing, the inspiration for “I Kissed a Girl,” and what it's like to name Madonna among her fans.

I can’t think of another artist with two buzzed-about gay-themed songs.
It was very coincidental. I remember going to the record label when they really wanted to go with “I Kissed a Girl” thinking, I can do that. I know I’m strong enough and prepared to do that, but I feel like people will think I can only sing about this angle when the record is really full of lots of different shades. I guess it is a subject that is close to my heart. I have a lot of friends who are gay, and I have kissed a girl. I grew up in a very strict household where that was considered what you call “an abomination” -- and I fucking hate that word.

Many gays might relate to coming from a religious background like you and having to find their own place within their faith.
My platform in life isn’t necessarily to preach or anything. I respect everybody’s faith. For me, honestly, it took a lot to get to that point of respecting everybody’s opinion. I was raised in a household where that wasn’t necessarily allowed. There’s no such thing as respecting everybody’s faith in my kind of upbringing. I hold nothing against anyone. Like I said, you don’t pick where you come from, you’re just born. I’m in the business of rock 'n' roll. I make mistakes. I’m human. I’m flawed. I accept that. I’m not here to preach the Gospel right now other than to be a good fucking musician. That’s all. Maybe down the lane, you know… It’s so weird. I respect the artists who want to be role models. I think Miley Cyrus and all them want to be role models, but I’m not here to be a role model. I’m here for the rock 'n' roll.

For more information visit KatyPerry.com.

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Name: nichole
Date posted: 12/7/2008 9:54:00 AM
Hometown: henderson

Comment:
i love ur music : ) i gotsta go see ya
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Name: Zach
Date posted: 8/5/2008 10:06:00 AM
Hometown: Cincinnati

Comment:
This song is ao offensive!!!!!! My girlfriend who is bisexual cried because of this song. She needs to go to HELL!!!!!!
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Name: Jay
Date posted: 7/16/2008 11:40:00 AM
Hometown: Toronto

Comment:
and what the hell is up with ur so gay? that song is so offensive. ur so gay to her ex basically summed up as "you can't satisfy me - you are a WEAK man there for ur so gay". drivel.
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Name: amber
Date posted: 6/24/2008 4:13:00 PM
Hometown: the O-H

Comment:
Yes, Katy Perry's first two buzzed about songs have to do with being bisexual, homosexual what have you. Has anyone listened to the rest of her album? One Of The Boys has numerous songs that could have been her first single. If you were the record company, don't you think you would pick "I Kissed A Girl" to get the worlds attention? Katy was quoted in this article that shes in it for the rock n roll. You have to give a little to get a little! I totally understand why that song was her first single, its summer people! And maybe if you talked to a few girls they could tell you this song isnt too far fetched. :) Rock on Katy!
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Name: Randy
Date posted: 6/24/2008 3:28:00 AM
Hometown: Tennessee

Comment:
I too find Katy Perry to be vile despite personally knowing what it's like to grow up in the bible belt and enjoying the sometimes pop-brilliance of some of her songs. Nevertheless--"I Kissed A Girl" is offensive! It panders and trivializes--and note: she doesn't even kiss a girl in the video. This woman is well-meaning but obviously highly puppeted by her record label--the perfect blend of "sensational" enough (to straight people) to get a number 1, but safe enough (to straight people) to be kept neatly under a lid. That doesn't mean gays can't enjoy her as a guilty pleasure, but Rolling Stone gave her a scathing review of her album--calling her representative of "the worst of the decade"--and they weren't far off from the truth.
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Name: steven
Date posted: 6/24/2008 2:27:00 AM
Hometown: phoenix

Comment:
Paul Pratt, you disappoint me. As an avid advocate.com reader, I expect articles that are enlightening and helpful to our fight for equality. I don't expect some article about trivial female entertainers who use their se-called bisexuality in an attempt to tiitillate grubby straight guys. Like the previous post said, it's phony acceptance based on titillation. Please up the standard for the next article, Paul.
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Name: jason
Date posted: 6/24/2008 1:43:00 AM
Hometown: new york

Comment:
Why is advocate.com giving press to another female entertainer using female bisexuality as a marketing ploy.? As a gay man, I find her offensive and pathetic. It's phony acceptance based on titillation. Perhaps dear Katy can tell us if her boyfriend Travis McCoy kisses boys. She doesn't seem very enthused about elaborating on this issue, now does she? Please don't give press to these attention whores in future.

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