She thinks her life is a candy store and finds herself Sexy. Singer Katy Perry talks about music and her body in an interview.
Aty Perry is quite late, a full hour. However, the singer has no apologies ready. Since she is late, the lunch break is being cancelled. Instead of a meal, Katy Perry gets just fruit and some cookies and gets to work. “Teenage Dream” is the name of the new album by the 25-year-old daughter of a pastor, of course with the summer hit “California Gurls”. Steffen Rüth spoke to her about the new songs, her life as a world star – and her relationship with the riot comedian Russell Brand.
Reporter: Your new album sounds incredibly versatile and colorful, sometimes a bit sticky. Can you compare it to a box of candy?
Katy Perry: Kind of. Not just the album, my whole life is a candy store. It’s delicious and exciting, but sometimes it gives you a stomach ache. I work hard and experience amazing things. But if I only had this excitement around me, I would have problems. You have to be stronger and tougher than the average person in this job. Still, I don’t want to trade my life for anything else.
Reporter: Is this ‘taff’ typical of a Californian girl?
Katy Perry: I think so. But I am both: hard and tough on the one hand, and vulnerable and girly on the other. I also have a clear vision of my music and my future in general. But you can’t overdo it with strength. If I were an art product, I would be afraid of myself.
Reporter: Why is that?
Katy Perry: If I lose my direct connection to people, then I lose my career. Completely. Because that’s why I’m in the world: I tell stories that people want to hear. Like “California Gurls”: This is a simple, light song. It’s not deep at all, but it’s the soundtrack for the summer. I wanted to make an album that touched a lot of emotional levels and grabbed people in different ways.
Reporter: And what feelings do you address with an ambiguous song like ‘Peacock’?
Katy Perry: (laughs) That’s just a crazy song. I’ve never made such a naughty, playfully kinky song. I found it fun to twist everything a bit and get a little dirty. But hey: I’m just…cute.
Reporter: Cute?
Katy Perry: Yes! I’m Sexy without being trashy. That’s a big difference. I balance on this ridge like a circus artist. I dip a toe in the water here and there, but I never fully submerge. That would not suit me. I mean, I liked being naked in my video, but you didn’t see anything except my back. That was cute. I don’t need to go out and do something gross and – like Miley Cyrus – say, “Hey look guys, I’m totally crazy and H๏t right now.”
Reporter: Let’s talk about the topless pH๏tos in “Esquire” magazine.
Katy Perry: They’re the perfect example of what I’m talking about right now. The pH๏tos are cheeky, erotic, but never tasteless. I’m a young woman with a tight body. I’m no longer a teenager who doesn’t know his body that well and who finds many things embarrassing in and of themselves. I feel like I’m in full bloom now.
Reporter: What attracted you to the riot comedian Russell Brand?
Katy Perry: To put it silly: I’m convinced that we fit together extremely well. He is the ying to my yang. I know we haven’t been together that long. But with him I feel like I can be myself. Because he loves me the way I am. It’s the same for me: I love him because he’s Russell. With all its quirks.
Reporter: You want to get married in October. Why so fast?
Katy Perry: He asked me we’re engaged why not? For us, this is the logical next step. Also, I’d love to have a family in the future. For me personally, because that’s how I grew up, marriage belongs to a family.