Katy Perry supporting education
LOS ANGELES (AP) – As Katy Perry returns stateside to kick off the North American leg of her Prismatic World Tour, she’s reflecting on the hard work that got her here and preparing to pay it forward.
“I’m an American girl that had a dream, executed a dream, came from nothing – and that really is the American dream,” Perry said. “I’m happy to be that example and hopefully inspire other people to do that.”
The 29-year-old pop star is doing more than inspiring – she’s leading by example and lending her fame to support American teachers. Perry helped present a $1 million donation Thursday from Staples Inc. to support teacher projects during the upcoming school year. She’ll also invite fans at her concerts to join the “Make Roar Happen” initiative at DonorsChoose.org, where they can select projects to support and make donations as small as $1.
“I really believe knowledge is power, especially for females,” she said in an interview. “I feel like our education makes us more confident.”
Although she “wasn’t raised with a great education,” she seeks it out now, visiting museums and national parks while on the road. “I thought, instead of shopping my way around the world, why not educate my way around the world?” she said. Perry and her team hope to visit every nearby national park while on the 46-city North American tour.