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Katy Perry recently shared her childhood experiences growing up in an impoverished household, where her devout Pentecostal parents often had to rely on food stamps and food banks to make ends meet. Despite now being worth $530 million, the superstar revealed that she had to depend on food stamps and even busk on the streets as a teenager to cover her expenses.
She stated: "You want to talk about food stamps? I can talk about food stamps. You want to talk about food banks? I can talk about food banks." This candid revelation sheds light on the challenges she faced in her formative years.
Her upbringing has deeply influenced her desire to make a meaningful impact beyond her music career. In 2018, Katy and her older sister Angela Hudson Lerche established the Firework Foundation with the aim of providing underprivileged children with access to the arts.
Angela emphasized that their humble beginnings serve as a reminder to the children they support, stating: "A lot of times it's reminding them that we didn't come from anything either. Katy wasn't born into some musical family that had all this access. She worked so hard for so many years to get to be where she is."
Their foundation has made a significant impact
The Firework Foundation has already made a significant impact, with over 400 middle school kids attending Camp Firework. The camp offers a range of activities including songwriting classes, choreography sessions, and shoe design workshops, all aimed at nurturing the creative talents of the participants. Both Katy and Angela actively participate in leading sessions at the camp, creating a memorable experience for the young attendees.
Katy Perry's involvement extends beyond just music; she is personally invested in the well-being of these children. She shared: "I'm up with them in the morning, and they're throwing whipped cream on me in the evening." Her goal is to inspire these children by showing them that they too can pursue their dreams. In addition to artistic pursuits, the campers are also taught Transcendental Meditation to support their mental health.
Katy Perry's personal experiences have fueled her passion for making a positive difference in the lives of underserved communities, and through the Firework Foundation, she is providing tangible support and opportunities for children to explore their creative potential.