'Kissed a Girl' song backlash: Katy Perry's shamed parents

Aug 18, 2008, 10:05 GMT

07/18/2008 - Katy Perry - Warped Tour 2008 Music Festival at Comerica Park - July 18, 2008 - Comerica Park - Detroit, MI, USA © Chris Schwegler / PR Photos

Katy Perry's parents have denounced her hit song 'I Kissed a Girl' as "shameful and disgusting" .

Katy - who is celebrating her second week at number one in the UK singles chart with the track - has upset her parents with the song's lesbian lyrics.

Katy's mother, Mary Hudson - who along with her husband Keith is a preacher in California - said: "I can' even listen to that song. The first time I heard it I was in total shock. It promotes homosexuality and its message is shameful and disgusting. When it comes on the radio I bow my head and pray.

"She is our daughter and we love her and can't cut her out of our lives. But we strongly disagree with how she is conducting herself and she knows how disappointed we are.

"The message she is promoting is about homosexuality, which the bible clearly states is a sin."

'I Kissed a Girl' is also number one in the US and Canadian charts as well as in the UK.

Brought up a strict Christian by her parents, Katy's first album was a set of devotional songs. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of stardom aged 17. Her parents are however worried that her songs and image are damaging her faith.

Mary added: "Some of her outfits are too revealing and her father has had words with her about it. She changed when she went to LA and is going through a period of rebellion. Katy is not a homosexual and has just been led astray by Hollywood.

"She's told me, 'Oh mom, I'm not going to turn into Amy Winehouse.' But I pray all the time God will help her find salvation."

Katy has previously said she "stopped trying" to change her parents when she reached 21, but insists she still has her faith and has a tattoo which reads 'Jesus' on her wrist.

'I Kissed a Girl' has caused massive controversy in the US with conservative groups claiming it encourages homosexuality among young girls and gay rights groups saying it is exploitative.