(CNN) — Katy Perry’s admitted that her breakup with ex-hubby Russell Brand was so devastating there were times she struggled to hold it together professionally.
In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the pop phenomenon said that when her relationship to the British actor/comedian really hit the skids, she had to stop herself from breaking down onstage.
“What was going on in my personal life was so overwhelming that I had to bend over to let those tears fall straight out of my eye sockets and not my false lashes just as I’m about to go up on that ramp and sing ‘Teenage Dream,’ ” Perry said of that period, which was captured in a pivotal scene in her upcoming concert movie, “Katy Perry: Part of Me.”
“I had to smack myself across the face and say, ‘These problems are my problems, they are not my audience’s problems – learn to separate that.'”
That work ethic has made Perry into one of the wealthiest singers around: according to THR, she made more than $44 million last year courtesy of her best-selling album, movie projects and sold-out tour. According to Billboard BoxScore, her “California Dreams” trek came in just behind the Eagles (and ahead of Lil’ Wayne) as one of the most profitable of 2011.
And look for Perry’s pockets to deepen even more due to the award-winning singer/songwriter’s plans to launch her very own record label.
“I’m preparing for it now,” she told THR about her untitled pending imprint. “And when this record label does come to fruition, I’m going to try and avoid the things that take away any fighting chance for an artist to have financial success. As people are coming to me with opportunities, I’m thinking, ‘How would I want to be treated?’ “
“Katy Perry: Part of Me” is out on July 5.
