Don’t mess with Katy Perry. Sure she wears colorful tutus adorned with sequins, sings poppy songs about teenage love, and dyes her hair blue — but Katy Perry is more serious than she appears. The 26-year-old songstress proved that she’s a force to be reckoned with after an Australian magazine, NW, published a story accusing Perry of cheating on her husband of six months, Russell Brand. The cover story, accompanied by the headline, “World Exclusive: Katy’s Other Man–Split Fears After Shock Revelation,” accuses the singer of cheating on Brand with record producer, Benny Blanco.
The magazine said Perry had an “intimate relationship” with Blanco, and that her marriage was in shambles as a result. The story quoted a “close friend” of Perry’s, Angela Summers, and another source, Marion David, both of whom the pop star claims she’s never even met. Perry was so offended by the claims that she filed a lawsuit, and is pursuing aggravated damages. In the suit, Perry says her reputation has been “gravely injured,” and that the story caused her “distress and humiliation.” If the suit is successful, the pop star will likely win a six-figure payout, E! News reports.
The rumored ‘other man,’ Benny Blanco, is a 23-year-old record producer who worked with Perry on hits like “California Gurls” and “Teenage Dream.” Blanco is also known for his work with Britney Spears, Ke$ha and Justin Bieber.
Perry wed British comedian Russell Brand in October 2010, and the high-profile couple has grown accustomed to dealing with rumors of infidelity, particularly because of Brand’s notorious promiscuous past, but the couple has always defended the sanctity of their marriage. This is the first time that Katy has been the center of the cheating rumors, however, and she’s determined to make sure it’s the last.
The pop star kicks off the Australian leg of her California Dreams tour in Melbourne tomorrow night. The star took to her Twitter to assure fans she’s thrilled to be in Australia despite the pending legal drama. “THE CALIFORNIA DREAMS TOUR HAS OFFICIALLY LANDED IN OZ! WE SO EXCITED,” she wrote.