Her lyrics include lines such as "I kissed a girl and I liked it".

And when this is written and sung by the daughter of two pastors, you can be sure eyebrows will be raised.

According to US entertainment magazine Heat World, Perry’s bi-curious lyrics have been described as "shameful and disgusting".

Perry and a slew of other singers like Lily Allen and Duffy burst on the scene in 2008, smashing the bubblegummy image of the typical pop starlet.

It’s not just the 24-year-old American singer’s lyrics which have turned heads. Her unconventional dress sense has also made headlines.

Vibrant colours and fruit-shaped accessories are a staple in Perry's quirky style, which has been hailed by fashion designers like Betsey Johnson and Karl Lagerfeld.

Music and fashion accolades aside, Perry was also criticised for posing with a blade in a publicity shot.

According to UK newspaper The Times, the photo was taken in 2006 and meant to give Perry a "sexy, harder edge". Unfortunately it backfired.

She also upset UK singer Lily Allen after describing herself as "a skinnier version of Lily Allen", reported entertainment website NME. Perry has since apologised.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Dec 31, 2009.