‘Cupcake Katy’ joins national collection

Katy Perry is getting an honor usually reserved for later in life: Her portrait is joining the collection at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

The museum said Wednesday that a 2010 portrait of Perry by artist Will Cotton, entitled “Cupcake Katy,” will go on view beginning June 18. The tongue-in-cheek picture depicts Perry as a cupcake.

Perry previously collaborated with Cotton on the design for her “California Girls” music video.

Museum Director Kim Sajet says Perry comes from a tradition of strong women entertainers who challenge their supposedly superficial pop personas.

Associated Press