cons sheratan: Katy Perry Calls MTV Artist Of The Year Title 'Validating'

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Katy Perry Calls MTV Artist Of The Year Title 'Validating'

'To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that's pretty cool,' she says in a video acceptance speech.
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry
Photo: Getty Images

Katy Perry was everywhere in 2011, and thanks to that pop-culture takeover, she was named MTV's Artist of the Year.

The honor is the culmination of an insanely busy year for Perry, but she still found a few minutes to send a big "thank you" to everyone for her incredible success over the past 12 months. "Hi everyone at MTV! I just want to say thank you for this amazing award," she said in a video message. "To be Artist of the Year, a whole 365 days, that's pretty cool."

Perry beat out fellow superstars Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Lil Wayne during our Best Artists of 2011 debate, which makes the win that much more unbelievable for the pink-haired singer.

"I wasn't really allowed to watch MTV growing up, so this feels really validating," she said. "And I've had a fantastic year, a great tour and a great run, and you guys have been so a part of it and such a big reason why. So thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

Perry was all over the radio in 2011, thanks to hit singles like "E.T.," "The One That Got Away" and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)." She appeared on the big screen in "The Smurfs" and the small screen hosting "Saturday Night Live." She hit the road for her California Dreams Tour, kept us captivated with videos like the VMA-winning "Firework" and "E.T." and always had us talking, whether it was about what she was wearing, tweeting or saying. And, oh yeah, "Firework," also happens to be MTV's #10 Song of the Year.

As 2011 comes to an end, Perry will kick off the new year with Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Firework."

Stick with MTV as we count down the Best of 2011, including the top Artists, Songs, Live Performances and EDM Artists of the year.

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