Perry's darker side emerges (Updated April 3, 2013)

Katy Perry's going dark. No, we're not talking incognito, non-communicative or pulling some wild disappearing act into an extended hiatus. Instead, Perry has altered both her professional image and her musical style – moves apparently leading up to the eventual release of her fourth studio album, which currently has no set release date.

Perry's darker side came out in full force following her highly-publicized divorce from English comedian Russell Brand. Once famous for her colorful outfits, Perry stepped out at various awards shows sporting a Gothic look accentuated by dark purple hair and plum lipstick. Then there was the brooding video for the song "Wide Awake" in June 2012 in which the songstress wore the same get-up, this time teamed with a cape and dramatic makeup.

But not all of Perry's normally sunny disposition has been washed away. Her part-biopic part-concert 3D film titled "Katy Perry: Part of Me" was released to theaters in July 2012. Not only did it garner mostly positive reviews, but it grossed $30 million worldwide at the box office. Two months later, Perry was named "Woman of the Year" by Billboard magazine.

Things seemed to be going swimmingly for Perry into 2013… that is, until a tulmultuous split with John Mayer. Still, if she's nursing a broken heart it's pretty hard to tell. The pop star has been back in the recording studio in Los Angeles with "Teenage Dream" producer Greg Wells. She also recently received a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Female Artist of 2013.

Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California to Christian pastor parents. She grew up listening only to gospel music, and started her singing career early by participating in the church choir as a child. Rather than endure four years of high school drama, Perry tested out, earning her G.E.D. after her freshman year.

It was drama, however, that would follow Perry in her early years as a musician. She released her first album under the name ?Katy Hudson,' but it failed to chart. Another solo album never saw the light of day outside a studio, and a deal inked with Capitol Music Group in 2007 made the label her fourth in seven years. It also marked the birth of ?Katy Perry,' the adopted stage name that would take the singer/songwriter to new heights.

The third time proved the charm for Katy's studio recordings, as 2008 saw the release of her first mainstream project, 'One of the Boys.' It produced three Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 songs ? 'I Kissed a Girl,' 'Hot n Cold' and 'Waking up in Vegas' ? and made her a bona fide star. 'I Kissed a Girl' would spend seven weeks at No. 1, and the track has eclipsed 3.8 million downloads. 'Hot n Cold' followed it with more than 4 million downloads to date.

If the aforementioned release made her a household name, then Perry's second album -- 2010's 'Teenage Dream' -- was the game-changer that made her a superstar. It's first single, 'California Gurls,' reigned for six weeks at the top of the Hot 100, smashing the record for most weekly plays in the 17-year history of Billboard's Pop Songs radio airplay chart. The follow-up singles, 'Teenage Dream' and 'Firework' would make her the first female in eleven years to have three consecutive number-ones from one album.Perry's live shows have also proved insanely popular, known for eye- popping performances, bright colors and outrageous costumes. Her 'California Dreams Tour' grossed nearly $60 million worldwide, with 124 shows in Europe, Australasia, Asia, North America and South America.

Katy Perry Tickets - Artist History

Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California to Christian pastor parents. She grew up listening only to gospel music, and started her singing career early by participating in the church choir as a child. Rather than endure four years of high school drama, Perry tested out, earning her G.E.D. after her Freshman year.

Katy Perry Tickets - The Music

In 2001, Perry released a self-titled gospel album that went no where thanks to the record label closing. Perry continued to record, but none of her efforts made it out of the studio. In 2007, Perry signed with Capitol Music Group, adopted the stage name 'Katy Perry', and released her first single, 'Ur So Gay' shortly thereafter. It was not until the 2008 release of her second single, 'I Kissed a Girl' that Perry gained national attention. The single topped international charts, and the release of her album One of the Boys received platinum certification. Interestingly, 'I Kissed a Girl' and her next single 'Hot n Cold' both received multi-platinum certifications. Katy Perry tickets sold quickly. In fact, in 2010, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Perry as the 'Best Start on the US Digital Chart by a Female Artist'. Perry's second album Teenage Dream was released in 2010, and its first single, 'California Gurls' reached number one on the Billboard Charts.

Katy Perry Tickets - Career

Katy Perry tickets have been very popular as she is known for eye-popping performances, including bright colors, outrageous costumes, and often feature Perry playing the guitar.In 2009, Perry announced that she was engaged to funny-man Russell Brand after a vacation in India. The pair returned to India in 2010 for their nuptials. Although Perry has been nominated for both MTV Music Awards and the coveted Grammy Awards, she has yet to claim a prize. Perry also enjoys acting, appean The Young and the Restless, The Simpsons, and How I Met Your Mother. Perry also filmed a Sesame Street episode in which she was to play pretend with Big Bird. The show was deemed too controversial for children's television. Perry also voiced Smurfette in the big screen debut of The Smurfs.

Katy Perry Summer 2011 Update

Katy Perry and Kanye West collaborated on her hit single, "E.T.", released in February 2011. The song hit the top of the charts in the US and 3 other countries. It will be one of the most anticipated songs when Perry's 2011 California Dreams tour hits the US this summer. Perry has enlisted the help of Pink's tour director to keep her show fresh and exciting. Perry also recently released the single "Last Friday Night"--its music video includes an appearance by teen youtube sensation Rebecca Black. The singer's ever increasing star-power is evident in her recent appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine...in a Hershey's Kisses bikini. Wild.