Katy Perry conspiracy theories: from Illuminati to JonBenet Ramsey
Singer's global fame has come with a host of bizarre ideas about her life
Once a wholesome gospel singer, Katy Perry has become a globally renowned pop star – and with her fame has come a host of conspiracy theories.
The California girl has managed to inspire a disproportionate number of bizarre stories about her life, all intensely debated in forums across the internet.
Here are some of the more popular tales:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Katy Perry is a member of the Illuminati
The theory first emerged after her performance of Dark Horse at the Grammys in 2004. "Illuminati priestess conducts witchcraft ceremony in front of the entire world," declared alternative news website Infowars. Her performance "included a Knights Templar cross emblazoned across her chest, a beast with Moloch horns, dancers in dark robes with devil horns protruding from their heads, and pole dancing with a broom", it said, concluding that all of this "hardcore occult symbolism" could not have been in her performance by accident.
The Wire joined the fray, pointing out the Illuminati references in her Dark Horse video, including birdcages that are apparently "symbols of mind control". In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Perry said: "Listen, if the Illuminati exist, I would like to be invited! I guess you've kind of made it when they think you're in the Illuminati. But listen, I believe in aliens, so if people want to believe in Illuminati, great."
Perry's ex-husband, British comedian Russell Brand, has also been accused of connections with the secretive group, despite his virulent anti-establishment stance.
Katy Perry is JonBenet Ramsey
Some conspiracy theorists are convinced the singer is former pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey, who was murdered in 1996 at the age of six.
JonBenet was found in the basement of her family home, around eight hours after she was reported missing. She had been struck on the head and strangled. The case remains unsolved.
Despite this, the internet is awash with claims the young girl's murder was faked and people have been busy juxtaposing photographs of Ramsey and Perry to "prove" the connection. Some people have pointed out the singer was actually born six years earlier, but deniers are dismissed as "false witnesses of death".
Katy Perry is a robot
This conspiracy theory speculates that Perry is, in fact, a robot who is secretly brainwashing the public. "We know that Katy Perry is actually working for the Communists and has been infiltrating one of the most vulnerable outlets of our society: The Music Industry," quips Conspiracy Wiki, which collates the strangest beliefs from around the world. "Of course, it would be bad enough that Katy Perry is a communist, but, disturbingly, The Truth is, she's also a robot!"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
From 'Teenage Dream' to millennial nightmare – where did it go wrong for Katy Perry?
Talking Points Brutal reviews for new album represent a serious setback in the pop star's attempted return
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Katy Perry's on trial at the 'pop culture Hague'
Talking Point Her new single, an 'attempt' at a 'feminist anthem', has been ferociously slated for retreading dated ground
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Geisha paparazzi: Kyoto's biggest headache
Under The Radar Tensions over tourists taking photographs of iconic Japanese women have reached 'boiling point'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Grammy Awards: the craziest dresses - in pictures
In Depth Cardi B showed off arty side with gown paying homage to Italian painter Sandro Botticelli
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Ten celebrities who changed their names: from Meghan Markle to Katie Price
In Depth These stars switched monikers to get ahead in showbusiness
By The Week Staff Published
-
Super Bowl, super costumes: Katy Perry's half-time 'epic'
Speed Read Katy Perry, Missy Elliott, John Legend and a giant metallic tiger puppet entertain at sports spectacular
By The Week Staff Published
-
Katy Perry and 10 other 'Sesame Street' controversies
feature Even before a certain pop star showed Elmo her cleavage, Sesame Street wasn't a scandal-free zone
By The Week Staff Last updated