Katy Perry—music’s golden girl—takes time out before her world tour to talk exclusively with IN Los Angeles magazine.

by Jonathan Higbee

When Katy Perry kissed and told, the entire world listened. Her bi-curious summer anthem, “I Kissed A Girl,” made many groups — including a few from the LGBT community — bi-furious, resulting in accusations of faux lesbianism. Criticisms of the Sapphic lip-lock jam aside, the hit topped charts worldwide; sealed her album, One of the Boys, in gold; and has garnered Perry her first Grammy nomination in the category of best female pop vocal performance.

One of the Out 100 of 2008, Perry’s burgeoning kinship with the LGBT community is helping to soothe the queer condemnation. While preparing for a mostly sold-out world tour — and Club Skirts’ Dinah 2009 in April — the kitschy pop star talks with us about everything from gospel to her gays and lesbians and Lady Gaga.

Congratulations for selling out plenty of tour dates and for your Grammy nomination!

It’s awesome! I feel like I’m not going to do it all in vain finally.

Can you talk a little bit about the opportunity your fans have with the My Grammy Moment contest?

The Grammys came to me and wanted me to be a part of My Grammy Moment, which they have every year now. Basically, kids submit themselves singing along to “I Kissed A Girl.” I’ve told them, ‘Bring out the works, bring out the choreography and bring out the costume. Bring something special, and you’ll have the opportunity to be chosen.’ The winners will have their video shown while I’m playing that night at the Grammys. I’m looking for something that’s larger than life.

What are you looking forward to most on your upcoming world tour?

There’s never going to be a dull moment. The most important thing is going to be making it all sound 10 degrees up from when [fans] last saw me. It’s going to be a great show, though! It’s not like we just jump on stage and play, and then we leave. There’re lots of different elements. There’s tons of eye candy to look at—like an inflatable stage. It’s going to be hilarious!

You’ve come a long way since your early days as a Christian artist. (Perry’s first foray into the music world was a gospel album). Is it true that during childhood you were only allowed to sing gospel?

Yes it is, but it’s good. I feel like I’m a sponge now; I soak everything up.

Coming from the strict religious upbringing, how did you feel like you’ve evolved?

I’ve come a long way from where I was raised. I guess the things that were taught to me, were taught to me, and I’m my own person now. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for almost eight years—from age 17 to 24—and I’m not exactly what my parents painted, but they’re very much proud of me.

There were some—particularly in the lesbian community—who criticized you for “I Kissed A Girl,” alleging that you used lesbianism to score a hit. Have you heard plenty of that?

Oh yeah, I’ve heard everybody’s commentary on a very simple tongue-in-cheek, kitsch song.

How do you respond to the commentaries?

I don’t really respond to criticism per se, because it’s natural that everybody has their own viewpoint. The world is one big critic’s commentary, especially with the Internet. When I put this song out there, I knew what I was doing. It’s kitsch. Kitsch is my middle name. There’s no secret agenda, there was no trend-of-the-moment when I wrote that song, although I guess it did become very trendy. It was based on real events in my life, and I’m a girl that wears many hats.

Speaking of kitsch, what advice do you have for the hordes of Katy Perry drag impersonators?

Are there lots?

Yes!

[Laughs] I know, I know. But are they dressing up?

They’re doing the whole Katy Perry look!

[Laughs] I guess you just really have to use your eyes and bat them as much as you possibly can with big strokes, lots of lashes. I’ve seen a couple of queens do it really well.

Word on the street is that you’ve had a “walk off” with Lady Gaga in Australia. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

[Laughs] I guess we just kind of had one, and of course it turned into a big, fat mess. It was like a howling/screaming match. She’s amazing, and every time I run into her, I’m so happy for her because it took so long for her … I mean it took long for me, but also long for her, because her single was out for so long before it went to No. 1. It’s cool because she’s doing something different. It may not be understood by the mainstream, but I completely understand it.

What’s the hardest part about being a gorgeous rock star?

There’re not really a whole lot of hard parts, but there’s definitely a lot of upkeep. It’s one of those things where you have to have a full face to go out to Runyon [Canyon], a full face to go out on a hike. But, it’s fine. There’s so much other shit to worry [more] about than a picture with a zit. I couldn’t care less anymore.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2009?

I hope that people still don’t figure me out, because mystery makes history!

The Details

Katy Perry @ The Wiltern
3790 Wilshire Blvd, L.A.
Jan. 31, 8 p.m.
katyperry.com