Katy Perry married comedian and actor Russell Brand in 2010, barely a year after they met. The relationship didn’t last. Russell reportedly ended things with a text message, something Perry later slammed as “cowardly.” But when they tied the knot, the wedding made global headlines, mostly thanks to Russell’s choice of location. He had long spoken about his spiritual pull towards India. Perry, though raised a devout Christian, later said she believes in God but doesn’t follow any religion. Their wedding was held at the Aman-i-Khas resort near the Ranthambhore tiger reserve, with a Christian minister officiating.
Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s Indian wedding
In 2010, after their low-key wedding, a rep for Perry confirmed to People, “The very private and spiritual ceremony, attended by the couple’s closest family and friends, was performed by a Christian minister and longtime friend of the Hudson family. The backdrop was the inspirational and majestic countryside of Northern India.” Russell had been on a deeply personal spiritual path long before he started dating Katy. At the time, the singer herself had started embracing Indian culture, something she never really hid and still carries with her, even though she avoids attaching herself to any particular religion. While it was Russell who pushed for an Indian wedding, Katy, who was raised in a strict, “sheltered” Pentecostal Christian home where even secular music was banned, was also eager to explore other spiritual paths.
Before they tied the knot, Russell had proposed to Katy in front of the Taj Mahal. During the nuptials, the groom and his male friends arrived at the venue, where the bride waited, welcomed with the sounds of sitar, santoor, tabla, drums, and Rajasthani folk music. The multi-day celebration even saw celebrity guests like Rihanna, who served as Katy’s maid of honour, while Diddy reportedly performed at the reception alongside Indian classical dancers. British comedian David Walliams and TV host Jonathan Ross were also among the guests.
As they exchanged vows, Russell wore a traditional kurta-pyjama while Katy draped a red saree and took the pheras around the sacred fire. Two giant elephants, Mala and Laxmi, arrived at the venue to the beats of dhol and nagara. Local delicacies were served to guests, specially handpicked from Bajaria, a market town near Sawai Madhopur, giving the high-profile wedding party a real taste of Rajasthani flavour. The mandap, or wedding canopy, was made of vibrant orange, red, and yellow ribbons, adorned with marigold garlands.
While the wedding made global headlines, it didn’t last. The two divorced in 2014. The separation turned ugly. Katy claimed Russell was controlling and didn’t believe in equality, while Russell pointed to their clashing political views, among other issues. Years later, Katy began dating Orlando Bloom. The couple was engaged for nearly four years and recently confirmed their amicable split. They share a daughter named Daisy Dove Bloom. At the time of separation, Katy’s rep told Page Six that the singer was “relieved to not have married again,” as the fear of another messy divorce still haunts her.
Click for more updates and latest Hollywood News along with Bollywood and Entertainment updates. Also get latest news and top headlines from India and around the World at The Indian Express.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
