HOW TO MARKET A NEW MUSIC STAR IN THE 21st CENTURY

Santa Barbara-born songbird Katy Perry shot from obscurity to notoriety this year, thanks to her breakout hit “I Kissed a Girl.” But Perry’s bi-curious lyrics alone didn’t make her a star. Her flamboyant style of dress (skimpy retro) also helped distinguish her from a sea of pop princesses. Perry's rise to stardom, however, was not without controversy. The lyrics to both of Perry’s hits -- "Ur So Gay" and "I Kissed a Girl” – incensed some listeners. With lyrics like, “You need SPF 45 just to stay alive / You’re so gay and you don’t even like boys," they asked, was Perry rebelling against gender stereotypes, or reinforcing them?

L.A Times