Born on October 25, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, she initially pursued a career in gospel music before transitioning to pop. Known for her vibrant style and catchy hits, she gained fame with chart-topping songs like "I Kissed a Girl" and "Teenage Dream." While primarily recognized as a singer-songwriter, she has also ventured into film, lending her voice to animated characters and appearing in documentaries. Her work in entertainment has earned her numerous awards and global recognition.