How important is coming home after you’ve been on a world tour like the one you just did? It’s overwhelming how important. My heart is always full of gratitude when I get back to Santa Barbara. I know it’s only an hour and a half from Los Angeles, but I can feel my body change when the ocean appears alongside the 101. My shoulders drop on that drive, and I breathe easier whenever I am here.
Are your parents coming to the concert? Yes, and I have actually reconnected to a whole group of people in town, some of whom I haven’t seen since I started my music career. It’s exciting to be part of this community right now because so many people are coming together after what happened.
How were you affected by the fire and the mudslides?Fortunately, I was not directly involved, but my family had to evacuate twice, and I was following the whole thing on television and social media as it happened. The mudslides in particular were perplexing; I didn’t even know that such things were possible! I love going on tour, and I like the idea of spreading hope and joy all over the world, but this has made me realize that it doesn’t mean a thing if I can’t also come back and do that right here. I want to change the world, but I know that to do that I’ve got to take care of what’s in my own backyard. I wanted so much to do this concert because I hope to tie some of those broken heart strings back together.
Have you visited any of the scenes of destruction in Montecito? Yes, I just came from the Secret Garden, which is the studio I used to record my last two albums. It’s on a hill in Montecito, and fortunately it was spared, but there was debris flow all around it, and you can see that houses right nearby were completely destroyed. It’s one of only two houses left on that street. I’ve spent thousands of hours in that studio over the last five years. It’s so wild that this could even happen. It’s like a nightmare come to life, a fever dream where the walls are moving in. I can’t imagine the trauma and devastation it must have caused for the people who experienced it.
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The journey continues as America’s beloved singing competition series American Idol is set to return for its second season on The ABC Television Network for the 2018-2019 season. Following the historic revival of the beloved series on ABC, the fan favorite will set out once again on a nationwide search to discover the next singing sensation. Returning to help find the cream of the crop are music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy®-winning producer Ryan Seacrest will also return to helm the music competition series as host.
“American Idol’s return on ABC has shown once again that viewers love to discover and support raw talent,” said Trish Kinane, president of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, executive producer and showrunner of American Idol. “Our new judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have brought huge credibility, energy and fun to the show this year, and we are so excited to continue the journey with Ryan Seacrest at the helm in the search for the next superstar.”
Dennis Miller, executive chairman of CORE Media Group, added, “Our team is incredibly proud of the success we have had with American Idol on ABC, and we are excited to search for more talent nationwide with a second season. We look forward to furthering our relationship with the network, our partners at FremantleMedia, Luke, Katy, Lionel, Ryan, and all those who audition to become the next American Idol as we continue to entertain fans with incredible performances week after week!”
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Katy Perry is lending her support for a good cause. The singer and designer has been named the 2018 PSA ambassador for the 25th anniversary of QVC presents FFANY Shoes on Sale.
Perry, whose eponymous shoe brand launched in February 2017, is continuing her work within the footwear industry and will serve as the ambassador for the annual charity gala, which aims to find a cure for breast cancer.
She said in a statement, “This is an issue that is near and dear to my heart, especially because my aunt passed away from it in 1986. I have always been proud to support the cause and am grateful to have yet another platform to help find a cure.”
The fundraiser has generated $55 million for first-step breast cancer research, with more than 2 million pairs of shoes donated through the years. This year, the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation will be distributing grants to nine leading cancer institutions in the United States.
Ron Fromm, president and CEO of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York, said: “[Perry] is a champion for strength, endurance, compassion and has a deep commitment to building a better community.” Past PSA ambassadors have included Zendaya, Nicole Richie, Ivanka Trump and Julianne Hough.
The gala will be held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York on Oct. 11.
