IPL opening night: Who is Katy Perry?

New Delhi: While India prepares for an explosive IPL opening night – the audience will have to brush up their music knowledge. Meet Katy Perry. The singer, song writer, actress – all packed in a 'Firework' of a performer.

The star of the night is no Bollywood celebrity – she is one of the best known faces in the American music scene in the last few years. Perry tweeted - "Put on your dancing shoes. I'm all set to bring it @IPL Opening Night: http://iplt20.com #YehIPLhaiBoss."

Katy Perry, originally Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson or Katy Hudson, was born on October 25, 1984 in California. She changed her name to Katy Perry since it was so similar to Kate Hudson's. Perry has been singing from the time she was 9, singing at her parent's church. Perry signed to the Christian music label Red Hill, under which she recorded her first album at the age of 15. Performing as Katy Hudson, she released the self-titled Gospel-rock album in 2001.

Her first official mainstream album 'One of the Boys' released on June 17, 2008. The album has reached number nine on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Her song 'I Kissed A Girl' was the album's biggest hit. Years later in 2010, Perry's 'Teenage Dream' peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks. Between 2008 and now, Perry has worked on music albums, TV shows, movie cameos and full fledged movie roles. She has worked in movies like – 'The Smurfs', 'Get Him To The Greek' and 'The Muppets'. She will next be seen in the 3D film –'Katy Perry: Part of Me'.

Perry is known for her unconventional style of dress. It is often humorous, bright in color, and reminiscent of different decades, and she frequently uses fruit-shaped accessories, mainly watermelon, as part of her outfits.

Her India connection goes back longer than her recent IPL tie up. Perry and comedian Russell Brand got engaged in India while on a holiday when they were dating. In 2010, they got married near the wildlife sanctuary in Ranthambore, Rajasthan – the same location where Brand proposed. After 14 months of marriage, Brand filed for divorce from Perry on December 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences.

Perry surely seems to have put those memories behind and is all excited to take on India with her IPl performance.

####