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Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Rad Hatter
Published: Wednesday, November 07, 2007
With her debut EP "Ur So Gay" out Nov. 20, Katy Perry is poised for the limelight. Between her cheeky lyrics and affinity for all things camp and vamp, she's ready for some attention. Here, Perry wears Betsey Johnson's bustier dress with an Ariane top hat, Tarina Tarantino brooch and earrings from The Way We Wore.

Pretty preacher man's daughter makes good on her looks and big voice.

The Jessica Simpson story is a well-documented one, but this isn't about her, or her sister for that matter. Katy Perry, 22, is the new pastors' (plural, as in mom and dad) girl in town, and, ample bosom aside, she has little in common with the Simpsons' aw-shucks blonde and collagen act. Sure, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter got her musical start singing in church in Santa Barbara, Calif., but one would never know it based on her debut EP, "Ur So Gay" (Capitol), set for a Nov. 20 release. Perry's full album, three years in the making, is due out in the spring.
"My sense of humor is a little off in a Lucille Ball way. She’s cute and sweet, but she’s always kind of f--king up."
— Katy Perry
In addition to an original ballad, "Lost," as well as a cover of The Outfield's 1985 hit "Your Love," the EP includes seven versions — clean, explicit, remix, a cappella, instrumental, etc. — of the title track, proof of Capitol's faith in its hit potential. With Perry's strong, slightly raspy voice belting out lyrics like "I hope you hang yourself with your H&M scarf while jacking off listening to Mozart" and a cheeky chorus of "Ur so gay and you don't even like boys," the song has a pop-and-vinegar ethos not unlike that of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen.

"It's mostly inspired by that whole Emo, Sensitive Sally-type scene," says Perry, during a phone interview, of the song. "You know, guys with guy-liner who use flatirons. I was in that scene. I know boys in that scene. My littler brother was in that scene. I always just thought it was hilarious."

While she faults those Emo dudes for their flagrant vanity, Perry doesn't hold herself to the same standard. When the conversation turns to fashion, she perks up. "That's the subject I know best," says the self-proclaimed girly-girl before ticking off a list of her favorite designers: Jeremy Scott, Jovovich-Hawk, Alexander McQueen and Betsey Johnson. Although, she offers the last label with a disclaimer. "It's probably not the coolest thing to say," explains Perry. "I've always liked it but people are like, 'You like Betsey Johnson — you've probably never heard of Viktor & Rolf.' I'm like, 'Shut up. I like Viktor & Rolf, too.'"