Katy Perry Says Every Female Artist Owes Madonna a 'Thank You' for 'Breaking Down Barriers'

Mar. 15, 2025

The Queen of Pop made quite an impact onKaty Perry.

“Madonna was really nice to me — well, it took a minute because she was testing me, and then she became super nice to me,” said Perry, explaining the “Material Girl” singer, 66, “actually shouted out my song, and that was really the beginning of my career. That’s kind of what started to break me.”

Katy Perry and Madonna in May 2015.Justin Lane/EPA/Shutterstock

Justin Lane/EPA/Shutterstock

The formerAmerican Idoljudge added that she “really” thinks about those moments when meeting new pop stars: “That might be the only interaction that we ever have, and people may not remember what you say, but they will always remember how you make them feel, and so that is very instilled inside of me.”

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Elaborating on what kind of tests Madge put her through before they became friends, Perry cheekily said, “She just does her Madonna thing.”

Madonna in October 2023.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

“She would invite me to a party, and we had to do a photoshoot together which was amazing,” the “Teenage Dream” artist continued. “She’s the greatest.”

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Perry added of Madonna, “She paved the way. When you talk about me reaching out to younger artists, every female [artist] still needs to continue to say thank you to her because she is breaking down barriers. I’m 40, I still get to do music because of Madonna.”

Chappell Roan in August 2024.Steve Jennings/FilmMagic

Steve Jennings/FilmMagic

Fresh off the release of her latest album,143, Perry — now a superstar in her own right — has since passed her own wisdom onto newer pop artists. In a recentRolling Stonecover story interview,Chappell Roanrevealed the “Lifetimes” singer is one of many artists who’ve reached out to her with advice on how to handle fame.

“When we cross paths we talk about it, and I do reach out to them,” said Perry onThe Projectof speaking with burgeoning musicians. “I think their journey now is more unique than what I went through in 2008. When I started, social media wasn’t there.”

She continued, “There wasn’t eight billion voices speaking all at once. I mean, there was still a lot to see and hear and protect yourself from, but I think you have to really depend on your tools even more so these days, and so I tell all the girlies, I’m like, ‘I’m here. I love you. I got you, whatever, if you want a tea I’ll be here for you.’”

source: people.com