Katy Perry had one of the biggest moments of her career on the VMAs stage this evening, taking home the show’s lifetime achievement Video Vanguard Award. Following a medley performance of her greatest hits, the singer used her speech to reflect on her path in the music industry and how her career and fans have shaped her.
Her partner, Orlando Bloom, presented the award to him. She recognized him and their daughter in her speech and touched more broadly on how she found her way in the industry.
“It takes a village of strong people, a lot of healthy discourse, and a lot of group chats,” she said, adding later, “I’m excited when I look around music today, and I see all the amazing young artists who are operating with confidence, agency, vulnerability and authenticity. I’ve heard a lot of, ‘Do this, don’t say that, wear less, wear more now. Hey, don’t cut your hair.’ One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is I learned how to block out all the noise that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women. I just wanna say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art.”
Read her full speech below:
Oh my gosh. I did that all on my first day of my period, too. Can you believe it? Thank you so much to MTV for believing in my weirdness from day one and for helping artists extend their worlds beyond a song. There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade-long accidents. So I would like to acknowledge a few people: my team who have been with me for over 20 years, direct management, and my label Capitol Records.
Trust me, it takes a village of strong people, a lot of healthy discourse, and a lot of group chats. My parents and my family, the deepest roots I know. We don’t always agree, but what a lesson that those disagreements can still be full of love. Thank you to MySpace, Warped Tour, and all the bygone places where I found a voice, identity, and a community so early on. Thank you to the friends that were there when my Jetta was repossessed. My Katy Cats: You stood by me for a lifetime, and the LGBTQ community who I recognize I would not be here without and who show me that you can be both kind and [bleeped out]. Thank you to Orlando for keeping me grounded, celebrated, and doing the dishes. And lastly for my Daisy, the only flowers I’ll ever need.
I’m excited when I look around music today, and I see all the amazing young artists who are operating with confidence, agency, vulnerability and authenticity. I’ve heard a lot of “Do this, don’t say that, wear less, wear more now. Hey, don’t cut your hair.” One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is I learned how to block out all the noise that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women. I just wanna say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art. Turn off social media, safeguard your mental health, pause, touch grass. And do what you were born to do just like I was born to do this. 143 comes out September 20. I love you!
Perry knew from a young age that she wanted to be an entertainer, but she never envisioned her career coming with the global attention it has.
“I mean, fame never came into my mind,” she said in her recent interview on Call Her Daddy. “I think it’s a byproduct of everything that everyone’s successful at. I just wanted to be seen, period. End of story. And I found my magic trick when I was nine. I started singing, and then the room would freeze. And so I was like, oh, this is interesting. And then I enjoyed it. And it just soothed me. It healed me. My mother called me Bird from a very young age because I would sing myself to sleep when I was little. Then I picked up a guitar at 13. I started singing at church at nine. Started writing my own songs at 13. I made a gospel record when I was 16. And so I always wanted to be on the stage.”
It wasn’t easy getting there though when she first started out: “I was hustling, and I was always saying, yes, I can,” she said. “I’ll be there. I’ll fill in. Tap me in, coach. It was a struggle bus. I had two cars repossessed. I was signed and dropped by three different labels. People only know me maybe because of Teenage Dream and the whirlwind and success of that and the accolades, [but that’s not the full story].”
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.