Katy Perry and John Mayer at a red carpet event in 2013, showcasing their undeniable chemistry.
Before settling down with Orlando Bloom and even before her public feud and eventual friendship with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry experienced a significant and captivating romance with John Mayer. For three years, the relationship between the pop superstar and the acclaimed singer-songwriter was a constant source of fascination. Despite both having navigated previous high-profile romances, this particular pairing felt different, sparking intense media attention and fan speculation. The seemingly contrasting personalities – Perry, the vibrant pop icon, and Mayer, the introspective musician – created an intriguing dynamic that played out both in their personal lives and creative collaborations. Let’s delve into the captivating timeline of Katy Perry And John Mayer’s relationship, exploring its highs, lows, and lasting impact.
The Spark Ignites: From Flirty Tweets to Deep Connection
The initial connection between Katy Perry and John Mayer can be traced back to the digital realm of Twitter in 2009. According to reports from E! News, their paths crossed in person in September of that year at a Jay-Z after-party, hinting at a potential spark from the beginning. However, fate took a detour when Perry met Russell Brand the very next day at the VMAs, leading to a whirlwind romance and marriage. After Perry’s divorce from Brand was finalized in 2012, the stars aligned for a rekindled connection with Mayer. John Mayer, known for his past relationships with celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, engaged in a more deliberate and romantic courtship with Perry. Their relationship blossomed through exchanging heartfelt letters, a detail Perry later revealed inspired her song “Legendary Lovers” from her 2013 album Prism. This old-fashioned approach laid a unique foundation for their modern romance.
Perry described this unique courtship, stating, “I actually wrote it in an email one time, and after I wrote it I looked — we had a long courtship before anything was [public], just writing letters to each other.” Even as their relationship moved into the real world, they maintained their virtual connection, frequently using Skype and text to stay connected, highlighting the importance of communication in their bond.
This creative synergy extended beyond personal letters. Katy Perry and John Mayer collaborated musically, recording “Who You Love” for Mayer’s 2013 album Paradise Valley. The music video for the song offered fans a glimpse into their affectionate dynamic, filled with genuine moments of PDA. Mayer emphasized the authenticity of their collaboration to ABC News, saying, “It’s just so authentic. There’s nothing scripted in that video except putting a bull in the middle of the desert.” Perry playfully added to this metaphor, “Relationships are kind of like riding a bull. You hang on for dear life and sometimes you get a little buck here and there but you get back on,” foreshadowing the rollercoaster nature of their romance.
The Timeline of Love: Navigating an On-Again, Off-Again Romance
A candid shot of Katy Perry and John Mayer in 2012, capturing their early days as a couple.
Katy Perry and John Mayer’s relationship was characterized by its on-again, off-again nature. Despite the fluctuations, their romance spanned nearly three years before their final split in the summer of 2015. This period was marked by intense passion and public declarations of affection, punctuated by periods of separation that kept the media and fans guessing.
During one of their “off” periods in 2013, Perry openly expressed the depth of her feelings for Mayer in an interview with Vogue. “I was madly in love with him. I still am madly in love with him,” she confessed, revealing the intensity of her emotions. She further described him as having a “beautiful mind. Beautiful mind, tortured soul,” hinting at the complexities that might have contributed to their relationship’s challenges. Perry also reflected on her own patterns in relationships, questioning, “I do have to figure out why I am attracted to these broken birds.”
Around the same time, Mayer addressed their temporary separation in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, emphasizing their desire for privacy. “It was a very private relationship going in,” he stated. “It was a private relationship during, and it’s a private relationship still. Coupling is a tricky thing. It’s a tricky thing. I want everyone to be happy.” His words underscored the delicate balance they attempted to maintain between their public personas and private lives.
The Final Curtain: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Split
Katy Perry and John Mayer sharing a stage in 2014, highlighting their shared passion for music.
Rumors of a third split circulated in March 2015, only to be seemingly dispelled when they were seen together at a Grateful Dead concert in July. However, the reconciliation was short-lived, as reports of their fourth and final breakup emerged later that summer. This time, the split proved to be permanent, though both Katy Perry and John Mayer initially remained silent about the reasons for their separation.
Hints about the contributing factors to their breakup surfaced later. Mayer had previously alluded to the challenges posed by Perry’s demanding career, energetic touring schedule, and social lifestyle. He acknowledged the immense pressure and dedication required by her level of stardom, stating, “Katy is a superstar for a reason.” On another occasion, he humorously referred to himself as “the first gentleman of Katy Perry,” perhaps reflecting the dynamic of their relationship and the spotlight that naturally followed Perry.
Perry, in an interview with Elle, offered a more personal perspective on one of their previous separations, describing Mayer as having “pulled away.” This experience, she explained, was a significant learning moment. “That was a big hello for me,” she said. “I realized I could lose the person I loved and I had to deal with some things, issues I think a lot of women have. You can be strong in one aspect of your life but submissive in another. In relationships, it was hard for me to speak up and set boundaries. I think a lot of that was to do with the fear of loss.” She further elaborated on her attraction to complex personalities, “The men I have gone for are challenging, yes, but they’re also wildly intelligent and poetic. I’m not interested in taming anyone. I’m pretty wild myself.”
Following her relationship with Mayer, Perry found a more stable partnership with actor Orlando Bloom, suggesting a shift in her relationship priorities.
Reflections and Revelations: What Katy Perry and John Mayer Said About Each Other
A tender moment between Katy Perry and John Mayer in 2014, showcasing the intimacy they shared.
Both Katy Perry and John Mayer were forthcoming in sharing aspects of their relationship, offering insights into their dynamic and mutual admiration. It was clear that their shared passion for creativity and a strong physical attraction were central to their connection.
Perry, in a 2013 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, highlighted their shared understanding as artists. “We have a lot of fun, we have music as an understanding and love between each other,” she said. “We connect and it’s like he understands what I do because he does the same thing… he just gets it.”
Mayer echoed this sentiment in a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, expressing overall happiness in his life. “I’m quite happy. I’m happy in all aspects of my life. I’m very happy in all aspects of my life,” he stated, seemingly referencing his relationship with Perry at the time.
Perry also playfully revealed a more intimate detail during an iTunes show in 2013, sharing their mutual appreciation for Drake’s music. “He really hit home on this next one called ‘Hold On.’ I think it’s beautiful,” she said. “It sounds a little bit like kind of old vibey Lionel Richie [or] The Weeknd. It’s sexy as hell. And I listen to it with my boyfriend, so I would suggest listening to it with whoever you wanna make out with,” offering a glimpse into their playful and sensual connection.
The Aftermath: Lingering Feelings and Public Mentions
Katy Perry and John Mayer exuding style and confidence in 2013, during a public appearance.
Even after their split, Katy Perry and John Mayer’s relationship continued to be a topic of public discussion, sometimes leading to awkward and revealing moments.
In a memorable segment on James Corden’s The Late Late Show in 2017, Perry participated in “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts,” where she was asked to rank her exes – Mayer, Bloom (during a break), and Diplo – in terms of their performance in bed. Avoiding the unpleasant food option, Perry playfully ranked Mayer in the top spot, followed by Bloom, and then Diplo. While lighthearted, this public ranking reignited conversations about her past relationship with Mayer, especially considering her subsequent reconciliation and family life with Bloom.
Around the same time, Mayer released the song “Still Feel Like Your Man” in 2017, openly acknowledging that it was about Perry. In an interview with The New York Times, he confirmed the song’s subject, stating, “Who else would I be thinking about? And by the way, it’s a testament to the fact that I have not dated a lot of people in the last five, six years. That was my only relationship. So it’s like, give me this, people.”
The lyrics of “Still Feel Like Your Man,” including lines like “I still keep your shampoo in my shower, In case you wanna wash your hair” and “Still like the letters in your name and how they feel, babe, Still think I’m never gonna find another you,” revealed the depth of Mayer’s lingering emotions and the significant impact Perry had on him. Mayer himself described the songwriting process as deeply emotional, saying, “There were times when tears came out of me, and I went, O.K., John, this is not about an on-again, off-again relationship. This is something more profound.”
Years later, in 2022, Perry’s reaction to an American Idol contestant performing a Mayer song further highlighted the enduring impact of their relationship. When the contestant sang a Mayer tune, Perry jokingly exclaimed, “I’m triggered!” and quipped about needing extra therapy, showcasing that the memories, even years later, still evoked strong reactions, albeit in a humorous way.
Lasting Impressions: Reflecting on Katy Perry and John Mayer’s Relationship
A joyful moment between Katy Perry and John Mayer in 2013, capturing their evident happiness together.
While Katy Perry is now focused on family life with Orlando Bloom and her music career, and John Mayer continues his musical journey, their relationship remains a memorable chapter in both of their lives. For Mayer, in particular, it appears to have had a lasting impact, with some observers suggesting he has not had a comparable public relationship since.
Mayer himself has spoken about his evolving perspective on relationships and family. In a 2021 interview with Andy Cohen, he reflected on his life priorities, stating, “There’s one thing left and that’s wife and kids. That would complete all of it… I definitely explored the life of what can be done for me by me. So I don’t feel late because I would never want to have a wife and kids while I was still investigating what’s out there for me to be explored by me.” He also noted the changes in his approach to dating since becoming sober, suggesting a more thoughtful and perhaps more cautious approach to relationships.
The story of Katy Perry and John Mayer serves as a compelling reminder of the complexities of celebrity relationships, the challenges of navigating public and private lives, and the enduring impact of love and heartbreak. Their rollercoaster romance continues to fascinate fans, solidifying its place in the annals of celebrity relationship history.
