Case Study - Katy Perry

Case Study - Katy Perry

Katy Perry is an american pop singer who became famous in the year 2008. She got famous with her songs which we all know around the world. These songs were 'I kissed a girl' and 'Hot N Cold'. She currently has sold over 11 million albums, 81 million singles and has attained 5 number #1 singles so far in her music career.

How her pop videos appeal to her target audience and reflect her private life?

Katy Perry's target audience are young teenage girls, in a age group of 14-17. To be able to appeal towards her age group she has to be like an older sister/friend, be able to reflect some of the anxieties that young girls have, and be someone that the young girls can admire, look up too and want to be when they get older. (Looking sexy in a non-threatening way)

How her pop videos appeal to her target audience and reflect her private life?

Hot N cold (2008)

Katy Perry's earliest song is Hot N cold. This is a parody song of the 'runaway bride' stereotype. Katy Perry plays the bride who is stood up, this is whilst the man acts as the 'runaway bride'. This shows Katy Perry in a empowering and strong way, this is as she is chasing after the 'runaway bride'. This is what the man usually does, chase the woman.

Last Friday night (2010)


This music video is a intertextual, the reason for this is because the start could be compared to the opening of a movie, this is as well as the credits at the end. This video shows the audience that it is fine to be different, as despite the fact that she has a makeover, she comes back to her original appearance at the end and earns respect for throwing her party.

Firework (2010)



This music video is slightly similar to 'last friday night', the reason for this is because it shows the same message that it is okay to be different. The use of the fireworks is to show her target audience that they all have something special about them.What this does is it presents the video as being empowering to females, however the use of men in the video may also present the video as being empowering to people in general.

California Girls (2010)


Unlike her previous videos, this music video presents Katy Perry in a sexualised way. The music video was shot at the time when Katy Perry was  married to controversial actor/comedian Russell Brand. The marriage to Russell Brand and her new image may of alienated some of her younger fans, who saw Katy Perry as empowering, without the need of a man.

Wide Awake (2012)


This video was released soon after Katy Perry's divorce to Russell Brand. It reconnects with her female fans and may act as an 'apology' video towards them. The music video also shows the message of female empowerment, with Katy Perry punching the man at the end, who may represent Russell Brand. The younger version of Katy Perry may represent Katy Perry as regaining her innocence.

Roar 


The message of this video is similar to fireworks, which is self empowerment. The video shows how Katy Perry does not need a man to be powerful, as we see that Katy Perry survives in the jungle on her own.