1-888-2-CONFESS: I’m kinda sorta possibly maybe starting to like Katy Perry. A LITTLE.
I don’t know exactly when or how it started–around the time of the Interview Magazine cover story with Kristen Wiig and the release of “Part of Me”–but I keep finding cracks in my well-documented hostility toward the doe-eyed pop princess.
Now, here she is in an interview with Teen Vogue merrily tossing out compliments left and right at Madonna and Kelly Clarkson. Excuse me? Giving praise to the people I love? Just who the fuck does she think she is?
Wait. What’s…what’s all this? I’m lactating–whipped cream?! Oh God. Oh no! It’s beginning! Someone call a priest! I rebuke thee, Perry! I REBUKE THEE!!!
Three key snippets below, and the full interview over at Teen Vogue.
TEEN VOGUE: Were you inspired by other pop documentaries, like Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never or Madonna’s Truth or Dare?
KATY PERRY: A little. Madonna is everything to me, and that movie is amazing because it caught her at a time when she was a bit more vulnerable. I wanted to do that too, to capture a snapshot of who I am now so that I can remind myself what I’ve lost if I ever do become totally jaded. [Laughs]
TEEN VOGUE: You occasionally permit other artists to record songs that you co-wrote. Was it hard to watch Kelly Clarkson have a hit with “I Do Not Hook Up”?
KATY PERRY: No. Kelly is a fantastic person to interpret anyone’s work, and honestly, I consider myself a songwriter first and foremost. If I stay true to myself, I’m not going to run out of songs!
TEEN VOGUE: Your looks—and your life—have been the subject of so much scrutiny. Do you ever see yourself getting tired of being famous?
KATY PERRY: I’m tired of being famous already! But I’m not tired of creating. Fame is, I think, just a disgusting by-product of what I do. It’s quite a delicate creature— it’s a wild animal of sorts. It can love you, and then it can attack you. I still want to be as approachable and relatable as possible—when I meet fans and they’re crying, I’ll say, “Calm down, there’s nothing to cry about. I’m not going to bite you or attack you or grant you three wishes. Let’s just hang out and have a good time.” But really, I stopped focusing on what other people think a while ago. If you try to be everything to everyone, you’ll only end up completely confused.
Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection was released on March 26. (iTunes)