What are Katy Perry's Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Personality Types?

Sending six different singles to #1 during the Teenage Dream album cycle, Katy Perry became the defining pop star of the early 2010s. She almost single-handedly kept EMI afloat during the label’s well-publicized financial struggles and was listed as Forbes' highest-earning woman in music for 2018. Her (then) $83 million wasn't just generated by record sales: Perry's also a superstar on the road, pulling in over $1 million per night with ticket prices averaging somewhere north of $100.

With hits ranging from the fun and flirty I Kissed a Girl to the empowering anthem Roar, it's clear that Perry brings a unique energy and personality to the pop music scene. So, what do the popular personality tests, Enneagram and the 16 types created by Myers and Briggs, reveal about her personality?

Based on our analysis, we believe that Perry is an Enneagram Type 7 and an ENFP. 

Enneagram Type 7: The Enthusiast

Enneagram Sevens are known for their boundless energy, enthusiasm and desire for new experiences. Katy Perry embodies these traits both on and off the stage. Her vibrant performances, colorful costumes and upbeat, electro-pop compositions reflect a zest for life and a desire to spread joy.

"My personality is up and down, sassy and cheeky," she reportedly said. How could she be anything but a Type Seven? The songs may be standard issue pop, but the energy behind them feels genuine and infectious. Her job is to keep everyone around her in a state of perpetual excitement.

Outwardly: Spotting the Type 7

• Upbeat and optimistic: Sevens tend to avoid pain and discomfort by focusing on the positive, and Perry is no exception. "If you're presenting yourself with confidence, you can pull off pretty much anything," she said.
• Drive for constant stimulation: Perry is always on the go with a packed schedule and multiple ongoing projects. Simultaneously releasing back-to-back successful albums and venturing into business with her own line of shoes and fragrances, all while managing the swelling, crumbling and reswelling of her love life, brand collaborations, LGBTQ+ advocacy work and a murky feud with Taylor Swift, she certainly keeps herself occupied.
• Playful and high spirited: These traits are evident in Perry's personal brand of frothy pop, as well her reputation of being a party-girl who embraces and explores all aspects of life, unapologetically. "I was crazy in my twenties," she told Vanity Fair.

Inwardly: Type 7s on the inside

• Fearful of tough emotions: Katy Perry's joyful exterior often masks deeper insecurities and vulnerabilities. Like many Type Seven, she can struggle with staying present and confronting difficult emotions. Perry has been vocal about her mental health journey and the cover her public persona provides, telling Cosmopolitan, "I wasn't getting high off of my own supply anymore and then I was like, 'Oh wow, I've given all of the responsibility of my self-worth outward."  
• Longing for connection and stability: Sevens desire freedom and independence, but they also crave the stability that comes from having meaningful connections with others—especially Sevens with a Six wing like Perry.  Now a mother, the singer told the Independent that becoming a mother has completely “reshaped my life, my perspective,” and given her love she’s never had before.
• Avoidance of pain through distraction: Like many Type Sevens, Perry has admitted to filling her life with distractions to avoid  facing difficult issues. Celebrity friend and collaborator Sia observed this trait, saying, "She's on stage with 10 candied lollipops and clowns and dancers, selling the dream, the joy, the happiness — and that's really hard sometimes when you're not feeling it yourself." Sia said she didn't realize Perry was so reliant on that validation and that "getting number ones does nothing for your inside.”

Typefinder: ENFP

E/Extraverted:  A single look at Perry’s song lyrics, music videos and costumes make it clear she is an extravert. ENFPs are also charismatic, warmhearted and approachable, traits that UNICEF recognized when they appointed her as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2013.

N/Intuitive: From her imaginative music videos to her bold fashion choices, Perry’s intuition guides her to push creative boundaries and explore new artistic territories. She continuously reinvents herself, keeping her work fresh and exciting. Her fiance, Pirates of the Caribbean actor Orlando Bloom says that Perry constantly challenges his personal growth: “She definitely demands that I evolve." This is  a common theme for ENFPs.

F/Feeling: Katy Perry’s lyrics and public statements often reveal her emotional depth and concern for the well-being of others. For example, her song Firework encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and is a metaphor for our inner selves: “I really believe that people have a spark to be a firework,” she reportedly  told MTV. As an ENFP, Perry is deeply in tune with her emotions and uses her platform to advocate for more than 30 charities and philanthropic causes.

P/Perceiving: Although Perry is highly driven and ambitious, she also embraces spontaneity and flexibility. She thrives in environments that allow her to explore and adapt, whether that's in her music career or her personal life. Her ability to juggle multiple projects and her penchant for last-minute adventures highlight the perceiving nature of an ENFP. "I never want to be just one thing – I want to be multi-dimensional," she said.

Cognitive functions for Katy Perry

Extraverted Intuition (Ne) - Katy Perry's career demonstrates a profound ability to see possibilities and connect ideas in creative ways. While some may dismiss her music as candy cane and even cartoonish, it actually paints a vivid picture of the young adult experience in a way that is real and powerful—there's a reason she has billions of hits on YouTube.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) - Perry's lyrics often reveal her deep personal values and authentic emotions. In Unconditionally Perry expresses a raw, unconditional love that transcends flaws and imperfections, reflecting her strong Fi function.

Extraverted Thinking (Te) - Katy Perry’s strategic approach to her career is evident in how she manages her brand and marketing. Her ability to set ambitious goals, such as producing award-winning albums and orchestrating large-scale tours like Prismatic illustrates her practical and results-oriented Te function.

Introverted Sensing (Si) - Although not the dominant function, Perry's Si is apparent in her ability to draw on past experiences and memories to inform her work. Songs like The One That Got Away recount nostalgic and personal stories that demonstrate her capacity to reflect on and learn from the past. These retrospections often add layers of meaning to her music, enriching her connection with fans.

In conclusion, Katy Perry's personality type and cognitive functions reveal the complexity and depth of her character. As a quintessential ENFP, Perry's energetic extraversion, imaginative intuition, sincere feeling and adaptable perceiving nature have all contributed to her outstanding achievements in the music industry and ability to connect deeply with fans worldwide. She truly encapsulates the spirit of her anthem, "You're gonna hear me roar!"