CELEBS...CELEBS...CELEBS...CELEBS...CELEBS...CELEBS...CELEBS...

SHE’D HAVE BRITNEY FOR BREAKFAST AND IS THE NEW POSTER GIRL FOR PUNK POP. SO IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF KATY PERRY YET, WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN?

By Mandy Appleyard

During her turbo-charged journey from obscurity to superstardom, Katy Perry is taking no prisoners.

In just a year, she's already topped the charts in more than 20 countries, sparked international controversy with her lyrics, and counts Madonna among her biggest fans. Oh, and she's became a style trailblazer too. So who better to front our Hot Talent issue?

"I say what I think. I'm a real person, not some manufactured pop tart who's afraid to step out of the hotel room," says the 24 year old. "I am flawed. I swear, I have the occasional cocktail, I pick my nose and I fart. I'm not running for any presidential campaign at the moment. I'm a sassy girl."

Indeed she is. The kooky Californian may be the daughter of strict Methodist preachers – she had a sheltered childhood with the radio tuned to Christian stations – but rebel Katy is certainly no shrinking violet.

"My parents know I've always had a wild streak, so they're not shocked. They also know I have a good head on my shoulders," she says.

"I've tried different things in my life and I have been lost, but I don't think I'm lost right now."

Far from it. In fact, Katy's being fêted as the hottest thing in pop after her glam-rock-meets-bubblegum single I Kissed A Girl spent five weeks at No1 in the UK.

Dismissed as a ‘lipgloss lesbian' anthem by some critics, the song raised plenty of hackles on its release. But then Katy's not on this planet to please.

"I'm not standing over a boiling witches' brew saying: ‘I've got a master plan!'," she laughs. "The song is simply tongue-in-cheek about the curiosity I had growing up over kissing a girl.

"I did have a girl crush on my best friend when I was 15 or 16. She was beautiful, like a ballerina, with porcelain skin and cherry lips and I was obsessed with her. And girls do smell much better then boys!

"My first kiss was with a boy and he tried to swallow my head. Maybe it would have been better if I had tried to kiss a girl."

These days, Katy's kissing Travis McCoy, 27, a singer with the band Gym Class Heroes. She already wears a ‘promise ring' he gave her and they plan to marry when the time is right. Despite their careers keeping them apart a lot, they've been together for years.

"I love long-distance relationships," she says. "Absence keeps things exciting. I love my space, and appreciate the moments when we're together. We turn off our phones, cuddle in bed and order in food."

She's also been kissing Russell Brand, who presented the recent MTV Video Music Awards in America. So what did she make of Britain's baddest boy?

"I think he's the funniest man in the world," she says. "I did kiss him, but just for the camera. He was shooting some footage and asked if I'd do a cameo. I know all about his reputation with women."

But it's not just the men Katy impresses – Madonna has her controversial song Ur So Gay on her iPod and counts it as one of her favourite tracks.

Her rise may seem meteoric, but Katy has worked hard for her success. Her music career began eight years ago when she made a Christian album – which flopped. But she was undaunted.

"I've gone through many record labels, experiences good and bad, fought and fought, and taken risks," she explains.

"I'm glad my record didn't come out until now because I needed time to grow up."

So what next for Brand Perry? Well, Katy wants to act and create her own fashion line.

"I've always experimented with clothes and have my own style inspired by pin-up girls and Lolita," she explains.

"Agyness Deyn and Dita Von Teese are my fashion icons. I love to create a character, and I like looking like I've just stepped out of a history book."

Watch out world, Katy just might be about to take over.

The Feisty Five

1. Which girls would you most like to kiss?

Scarlett Johansson and Megan Fox are hot.

2. What would you be if you weren't a singer?

A magician's assistant. I tried it once with a magician I found on the internet, but then I realised that maybe it's not such a great idea to get sawn in half by someone you met online.

3. Who do you take after?

My 86-year-old gran who lives in Vegas. She just bought herself a flat screen TV and hooked it up herself. She plays lots of Shanghai rummy.

4. What will you spend your first big pay cheque on?

A black Lamborghini, And I'll wear all white when I drive it.

5. Who are your icons?

Madonna and Gwen Stefani. They're inspiring because they're everlasting.

*Katy's album "One Of The Boys" is out now