Katy Perry On the 180 That Saved Her Career.

Katy Perry On the 180 That Saved Her Career. Interviewed by Scott Simon. NPR, October 26, 2013.

Articles on the Katy Perry interview at: The Huffington Post; The Blaze; NY Daily News; Jezebel; The Frisky; The Inquisitr; The Atlantic.


SIMON: You’re so big among kids. You are, you know, to the 10-, 17-year-olds, I guess, what Bob Dylan was doing to, you know, a previous generation.

 

PERRY: I’ll take that comparison.

 

SIMON: Do you want to be something for them? Does it make you . . .

 

PERRY: Well, I think I like to be an inspiration. I think when you set out to be an artist, first and foremost – a musician, a rock ‘n’ roller – you don’t come with this kind of, like, hey, I also want to be a role model that, obviously, will let you down because I’m a human being. And a lot of people see me as a role model but I’d like to kind of turn that around and say I appreciate that but I’d like to be seen as an inspiration. Because a role model, I think, will fail you. I mean, I couldn’t tell kids when it’s time for them to try things or do things. I mean, that’s not my role. But, you know, it’s funny. I do see myself becoming this, whatever, inspiration out of default right now, ’cause it’s such a strange world. Like females in pop – everybody’s getting naked. I mean, I’ve been naked before but I don’t feel like I have to always get naked to be noticed. But it’s interesting to see . . .

 

SIMON: Are you talking about anyone in particular or we can fill in the blank?

 

PERRY: I’m not talking about anyone in particular. I’m talking about all of them. I mean, it’s like everybody’s so naked. It’s like put it away. We know you’ve got it. I got it too. I’ve taken it off for – I’ve taken it out here and there. And I’m not necessarily judging. I’m just saying sometimes it’s nice to play that card but also it’s nice to play other cards. And I know I have that sexy card in my deck but I don’t always have to use that card. And especially like with this new song called “Unconditionally” that’s on the record.