15 years ago, California Gurls hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the first of five consecutive Katy Perry singles to do so. With her sophomore record Teenage Dream, Katy became the first female artist and second artist after Michael Jackson to score five chart-toppers from one album on its initial run.
Inspired by The Beach Boys and Jay-Z, Katy set out to dominate pop with her second album, enlisting the help of Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Missy Elliott along the way. She dialled up the innuendo, created characters for each single release and had the pop culture fortune of her whirlwind celebrity marriage to Russell Brand ending mid-campaign as she toured the songs written about him. You almost wouldn't believe it!
Teenage Dream made history and defined Katy Perry as an artist for the rest of time. What is its legacy in 2025? And what is Katy Perry's...? If not just being synonymous with plastic bags...?
Ross and Sam revisit the historic pop era in this week's episode of We Ain't No Divas. Follow us @weaintnodivas on Instagram & TikTok!
We discuss:
- How did Katy Perry get famous?
- How Jay-Z inspired California Gurls
- Teenage Dream inspired Taylor Swift going pop
- California Gurls music video controversy
- Katy Perry vs. Lady Gaga
- Katy Perry tying Michael Jackson's "Bad" Billboard record
- Katy Perry marrying Russell Brand in India
- Katy Perry's relationship timeline
- "Slapstick Pop" era
- Firework inspiring ally pop copied by P!nk, Lady Gaga
- Katy Perry: Part of Me movie
- Russell Brand divorcing Katy Perry via text message
We Ain’t No Divas is hosted by Ross McNeilage and Sam Prance. This episode was produced by Sam Prance, and edited by Ross McNeilage. Music provided by Monopoly Phonic.
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