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Katy Perry's Colorful Style Evolution In 52 Photos

Remember when we all thought she looked like Zooey Deschanel?
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Perry in 2008 at Rok Las Vegas
Bruce Gifford via Getty Images
Perry in 2008 at Rok Las Vegas

Katy Perry sure has changed since 2002.

Before we knew her as queen of the candy-colored hair and wearer of whipped cream bras, the “American Idol” judge was a brunette Zooey Deschanel doppelgänger singing Christian rock music. In 2001 she released her debut album, “Katy Hudson,” but it wasn’t until 2008′s “One of the Boys” that she really made her mark.

Since then, Perry, 33, has gone through a number of style changes, taking inspiration from every decade since the 1950s. As she first gained popularity, the pop star often sported corseted dresses and bodysuits, and she wasn’t afraid to play with color. Moving into the next decade, Perry often appeared in ultra-glam gowns like the red and gold number she wore to the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

In more recent years, Perry has kept things playful, never shying away from bold colors or plenty of sparkle. She has also flaunted virtually every hair color and length imaginable.

The “Chained to the Rhythm” singer continues to take style risks ― as she did with a leopard-print Versace ensemble on a recent episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” ― and we’re betting she won’t stop.

Check out her style evolution below:

2002
Lester Cohen via Getty Images
Posing during a portrait session on Sept. 25, 2002, in West Hollywood, California.
2004
Jean-Paul Aussenard via Getty Images
At Clive Davis' Celebration of the American Music Awards in Beverly Hills, California, in November 2004.
2005
Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images
At Esquire's fourth annual Oscar viewing party hosted by Jennifer Love Hewitt in February 2005
2006
Vince Bucci via Getty Images
At the Sony BMG Grammy party at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Feb. 8, 2006, in Hollywood, California
2006
J. Vespa via Getty Images
At Vanity Fair's 2006 Svedka Erotica Reading Series on April 20, 2006, in Hollywood, California
2006
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
At Lucky Magazine's April 2006 Hosts party at Milk Boutique to celebrate its Los Angeles shopping guide
2006
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
Attending the launch of Nintendo's Wii in November 2006
2007
Mark Sullivan via Getty Images
At the 2007 EMI Post Grammy Party at Boulevard 3 in Los Angeles
2007
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
At Rock & Republic's Fashion Rocks pre-party and after-party at Eyebeam Atelier and Hiro NYC on Sept. 5, 2007
2008
Shawn Ehlers via Getty Images
At Betsey Johnson's fall 2008 show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Feb. 4, 2008, in New York City
2008
Jim Spellman via Getty Images
At Z100's Zootopia 2008 presented by Izod Fragrance on May 17, 2008, in New Jersey
2008
Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
At Spike TV's second annual Guys Choice Awards held at Sony Studios on May 30, 2008, in Culver City, California
2008
Tana Lee Alves via Getty Images
At the release of her album "One of the Boys" on June 7, 2008, in Southampton, New York
2008
Jason LaVeris via Getty Images
At the Kira Plastinina U.S. Launch Party on June 14, 2008, in Los Angeles
2008
Jesse Grant via Getty Images
At the release party for "One of the Boys" at Capitol Records on June 17, 2008, in Los Angeles
2008
Bruce Gifford via Getty Images
At Rok Las Vegas to perform inside the New York-New York casino on Aug. 30, 2008
2008
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
At the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards with Miley Cyrus on Sept. 7, 2008
2008
Getty Images via Getty Images
Wearing a Jean Charles de Castelbajac dress at the MTV Europe Music Awards, held at the Echo Arena on Nov. 6, 2008, in Liverpool, England
2009
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
On the red carpet at VH1's 14th annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Jan. 8, 2009, in Santa Monica, California
2009
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
Wearing a Tommy Hilfiger gown at the 2009 Met Gala in New York City on May 4, 2009
2009
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
At the official opening ceremony of Life Ball 2009 on May 16, 2009, in Vienna, Austria
2009
Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
Wearing a silver corset dress by The Blonds at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sept. 13, 2009
2010
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images
Wearing Zac Posen at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards held at the Nokia Theater on Jan. 31, 2010, in Los Angeles
2010
Michael Buckner via Getty Images
With her then-fiancé, comedian Russell Brand, arriving at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Sunset Tower on March 7, 2010, in West Hollywood, California
2010
Larry Busacca via Getty Images
Wearing a CuteCircuit LED gown at the Met Gala to celebrate the opening of the "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 3, 2010, in New York City
2010
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Wearing a sparkly Zuhair Murad dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on June 6, 2010, in Universal City, California
2010
Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
In a Marchesa dress at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sept. 12, 2010, in Los Angeles
2011
Jason Merritt via Getty Images
With then-husband Russell Brand at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles. Perry was wearing an angelic gown by Giorgio Armani.
2011
Jemal Countess via Getty Images
At the premiere of "The Smurfs" at The Ziegfeld Theater on July 24, 2011, in New York City
2011
Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images
In Atelier Versace at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Aug. 28, 2011, in Los Angeles
2012
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
Wearing Elie Saab Couture at the 54th annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles.
2012
Michael Tran via Getty Images
At the 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party on Feb. 26, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. Perry wore a gown by Blumarine.
2012
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images
Wearing a Twenty Cluny dress at the NARM Music Biz 2012 awards dinner party at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 10, 2012 in Century City, California.
2012
Michael Buckner via Getty Images
Wearing a velvet Dolce & Gabbana dress at the premiere of "Katy Perry: Part Of Me" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
2013
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
Wearing a Valentino dress backstage during the 2013 People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Jan. 9, 2013 in Los Angeles.
2013
Vera Anderson via Getty Images
At "The Smurfs 2" press junket on April 22, 2013 in Cancun, Mexico.
2013
Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images
Wearing Dolce & Gabbana at the Costume Institute Gala for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.
2013
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
At the premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Smurfs 2" at Regency Village Theatre on July 28, 2013 in Westwood, California. Perry wore a a blue dress by Tadashi Shoji.
2014
Jun Sato via Getty Images
At a U-Express Live 2014 press conference at Saitama Super Arena on March 2, 2014 in Saitama, Japan. She was wearing a Moschino dress.
2014
Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images
Perry and rapper Riff Raff wore matching Atelier Versace denim ensembles -- an ode to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake -- for the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on Aug. 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.
2015
Jason Merritt via Getty Images
Wearing Zuhair Murad Couture at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards at the Stapes Center on Feb. 8, 2015 in Los Angeles.
2015
Larry Busacca via Getty Images
With Jeremy Scott at the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City. Both wore matching Moschino ensembles.
2016
John Shearer via Getty Images
Wearing a Prada gown at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
2016
George Pimentel via Getty Images
Wearing a dramatic Prada gown at the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.
2017
John Shearer via Getty Images
Wearing Tom Ford at the 59th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
2017
Todd Williamson via Getty Images
At the Human Rights Campaign's 2017 Los Angeles Gala Dinner on March 18, 2017 in Los Angeles.
2017
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
Wearing a Maison Margiela Couture gown at the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
2017
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff via Getty Images
At the Chanel Haute Couture fall-winter 2017-18 show as part of Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week on July 4, 2017 in Paris. She was wearing Chanel.
2017
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images
In a white gown by Stéphane Rolland at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on Aug. 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California.
2018
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images
At the ceremony honoring Minnie Mouse's 90th anniversary with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Jan. 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
2018
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
Wearing a Stella McCartney gown at Stella McCartney's autumn 2018 collection launch on Jan. 16, 2018 in Los Angeles.
2018
Randy Holmes via Getty Images
Wearing a Versace ensemble for her March 5, 2018 appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Before You Go

Katy Perry's Hair Colors Through The Years

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