Katy Perry has vowed to become a leading celebrity activist next year (17) after receiving the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award from her hero Hillary Clinton. The Firework hitmaker was awarded with the prize at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball on Tuesday (29Nov16) and it has inspired her to get more involved in causes and do even more good in the world. “This award will be a constant reminder to get out of my bubble and back into the field to shine a light on issues that matter most, especially to illuminate the plight of vulnerable children who are living without basic human needs and rights,” Katy, who was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2013, wrote on her Instagram page on Thursday (01Dec17).
“This honor is a starting line, not a finish line, for me, and I am excited for where my new ambition and purpose leads me!” Katy actively campaigned for U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in her failed presidential bid this year (16), and she was stunned when the former Secretary of State presented her with the trophy at the Snowflake Ball. “I was profoundly moved and thoroughly surprised when Hillary showed up to give me this award,” the pop star noted in a caption under a photo of herself and Hillary smiling onstage at the event. “I broke down and wept watching her take the stage.” The star went on to reveal the shock result of America’s election night on 8 November (16) hit her pretty hard: “The last time I was in NYC (New York City) was for Election Night. I left covered in a blanket of sadness and despair because for me, and I imagine others, the results triggered a lot of dormant fears and emotions to the surface.
I feared that we were not ever going to see the light of justice or fairness. I felt vulnerable, confused and frightened like a child.” However, now that divisive Republican Donald Trump is America’s president-elect, Perry is more determined than ever to make a positive difference. “I have a found a new voice, a more determined voice,” she shared. “Feelings of despair still come in waves, but now more than ever I am MOTIVATED to fight against social injustice and to promote equality and kindness as best I know how, through my art and influence.” Katy concludes: “I am continually inspired by her (Clinton’s) strength and how she continues to rise like the Phoenix she is, every time. It’s funny, sometimes people who disagree with me just say, ‘Shut up and sing’. Boy, will I do so in a whole new way… next year. Hell hath no fury like a woman REBORN.”