KATY AND UNICEF
“It’s funny because she is staring at me; it could have been Marilyn Monroe or Sophia Loren,” Perry says, pointing to the 1950s-era black-and-white image of Audrey Hepburn, the first female Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. “I think it’s a sign she’s saying, ‘go for it, girl!’” The plan later that evening is to sing Moon River with John Legend at the gala for the international children’s aid fund, for which Perry is also a Goodwill Ambassador. While the show may focus on tried-and-true hits, don’t be surprised if Perry continues to explore music along the lines of the famous Breakfast at Tiffany’s song. “I am a Henry Mancini girl,” she confirms.
This is her first live singing appearance for a UNICEF fund-raising event since joining the organization in 2013. “It’s a great fit. And it’s interesting to go from COVID isolation to whoa, full-on Italian decadence and history.” She warmed up to post-pandemic singing, performing a sultry low-key-style ballad for a Louis Vuitton Frank Gehry-designed perfume bottle launch in July, but UNICEF’s alfresco evening at La Certosa di San Giacomo in Capri thrilled 650 guests with a full-blown concert experience.
Like any new mother—baby Daisy Dove was born on August 26, 2020—Perry has learned the art of multitasking, as any free moment she prefers to spend with her daughter. Granting the interview during her hair and make-up session just before taking the stage, Perry’s seasoned pro/girl-next-door persona shines through (and yes, her beautiful blue eyes occasionally bat, a most endearing gesture.) This was her second Capri trip. She arrived with family in tow: Daisy; fiancé and fellow Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom, and Mom, Mary Hudson (née Perry). The trip would allow both young parents some decompression time before heading back to their respective projects to include the 20th season of American Idol.
Recently, Perry has observed a fair amount of “revenge peacocking” in this post-pandemic time, in which she’s happy to participate. While the pandemic may have slowed things down just enough to enjoy some downtime around Daisy’s birth, Perry hasn’t missed a beat as a style presence. But, it’s a style perspective that she would say has evolved over the years. Perry has grown into a more refined look, recalling the series of events that landed her in a light-up dress at the Met Ball in 2010, thanks to a snafu with a Viktor & Rolf number. (She topped that dress with the Jeremy Scott chandelier gown at the 2019 “CAMP”-themed event.) “Especially at that time, playing the fashion game was new for me. I was the caution queen, just wanting to wear what I wanted to wear,” she says, reflecting on her memorable looks that were the opposite of cautious. “For me, it’s a confidence thing, like I don’t need it all. I used to do crazy nails, and now I do beautiful ‘ballet’ nails,’” she says, fanning her fingers as proof.
The more sophisticated look embraces black, which she found boring in the past. Case in point: her red-carpet outfit for the UNICEF gala was a hyper-sophisticated Pierre Cardin 1978 haute couture black column dress with white statement bow sleeves. She donned a golden sequined Dolce & Gabbana dress with a white chiffon cape to perform. Not subtle, but certainly reflecting a new elegance. “You learn how to play it,” she advises of her stage presence.
