In a heartfelt social media post, Katy Perry mourned the passing of one of her long-time managers, Martin Kirkup. The 39-year-old singer honored him on Thursday by sharing several photos of their time together. Martin was 76 years old at the time of his passing.
Despite Martin’s aversion to social media, Katy felt compelled to write about him because of the profound impact he had on her life. In her Instagram post, she expressed, “It took me a while to make this post…something about post-ing it makes it all feel final…” She continued, “And even though Martin didn’t like social media and all of its sensationalism, I feel compelled to say how important he was and still is to me.”
Katy reflected on Martin’s lasting presence, saying, “I say this because I don’t think anyone really ‘dies.’ I think they just go to the next world.” She added, “They’re no longer here; they’re everywhere now.”
Martin Kirkup was a key figure at Direct Management and had been one of Katy’s bosses for nearly two decades. She praised his leadership and dedication, stating, “He always said, ‘Show me the data, the P&L, the science, the facts!’ He was the leader of our group. If nothing else worked, he would just say something cheeky, clever, or eloquent with an English accent and everyone would agree with him.”
She went on to acknowledge his role in her success and safety, “Martin helped keep me safe. The man worked hard to get me what I deserved and praised the strong woman I am.” Katy expressed immense gratitude for her team, “I’ve been so lucky to have an AMAZING team by my side for almost 20 years, even before I had a kitchen sink or a window to throw things out of!”
Katy shared that Martin heard some of her new music just three days before his passing, “Three days before he died, he finally heard some of what I had been working on and how happy and loving it was. I could tell he was excited for the future, and I was so glad I had that last moment to make him proud in my own little way.”
In closing her tribute, she wrote, “We didn’t get to physically say goodbye, but I know he knows how much respect and admiration I have for him, and his hearty chuckles and wicked retorts continue to echo through my mind.”
Martin Kirkup is survived by his wife Lale Kirkup, daughter Melisa Kirkup Blatt, son John Kirkup, and three grandchildren, Sam, Abigail, and Ivy.
In other news, Katy announced on Monday that she would be leaving her role as a judge on American Idol after six years. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, she explained her decision, saying, “So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol. I really enjoy Idol a lot. It put me in touch with the heart of America, but I need to feel my own heartbeat.”
She shared her excitement for new ventures, “I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music. In September, I’m going to be at Rock in Rio, a huge music festival in Brazil. It’s really exciting. Everyone around the world is excited, but my fans in Brazil are especially thrilled.”
Katy hinted at her upcoming projects, fueling speculation among fans about a new album. An Instagram post featuring her in a striking black dress with butterfly pins, a symbol frequently appearing in her music videos, added to the anticipation. Fans have long been eager for new music, and Katy’s latest moves suggest that exciting things are on the horizon.
