Katy Perry and Sister Angela’s Tough Childhood Inspires Them to Empower Underserved Kids Through the Arts

Katy Perry opens up about her challenging upbringing and her mission to make a difference beyond the music industry. Teaming up with her older sister, Angela Lerche, Perry launched the Firework Foundation in 2018 to provide opportunities for children in underserved communities to explore the arts.

Raised in a household grappling with financial difficulties, Perry vividly recalls relying on food stamps and food banks to make ends meet. Her upbringing, coupled with her sister’s shared experiences, forms the foundation’s ethos of empowering children through artistic expression.

The Firework Foundation’s flagship initiative, Camp Firework, has welcomed over 400 middle schoolers from disadvantaged areas around Los Angeles. The camp offers a diverse range of activities, including songwriting sessions, shoe design workshops, and choreography classes, all aimed at fostering creativity and self-expression.

Both Perry and Lerche actively participate in the camp, forming meaningful connections with the attendees. Perry reflects on her role, stating, “The kids know me as the girl that sang ‘Roar’ or ‘Dark Horse,’ but I hope [by the end] they [think], ‘I too can live out my dreams like Katy Perry. She’s just like me, in a lot of goofy ways.'”

Beyond artistic pursuits, the Firework Foundation emphasizes holistic development by incorporating mental health tools like Transcendental Meditation. Additionally, the foundation’s Leaders in Training program provides ongoing support, partnering with institutions like FIDM for design workshops and LAAMP for music programs.

For Lerche, witnessing the tangible growth of campers has been deeply rewarding. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside her sister on a project that has the potential to positively impact countless lives. Lerche remarks, “They give so much to us, and I’m just grateful that we’re able to show them that there is something better out there.”

Perry’s vision extends beyond her own fame, as she envisions the Firework Foundation leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment. She asserts, “If in a hundred years nobody knows Katy Perry or the song ‘Firework,’ but they know what the Firework Foundation is, then I’ll have fulfilled my purpose.”

As Perry and Lerche continue their mission to uplift underserved youth, their dedication serves as a beacon of hope for a brighter, more inclusive future.