Katy Perry paid tribute to her former manager Martin Kirkup, who died earlier this month at age 75, in an emotional tribute on Instagram on Thursday.
While mourning his passing, which occurred unexpectedly while on vacation in Hawaii, the superstar, 39, explained that she wanted to “respectfully take a moment” to talk about “how special he was and is” to her.
“It’s taken me a little while to make this post… there’s something about posting it that makes everything seem final… and even though Martin wasn’t particularly into social media and its sensationalism,” said the Grammy nominee, who recently announced that she was leaving American Idol after seven seasons, it began with a lengthy title.
While speaking about her grief, the mother of one explained that she doesn’t believe anyone dies, but rather that they “just move on to the next dimension.”
Katy Perry paid tribute to her former manager Martin Kirkup (left), who died earlier this month aged 75, in an emotional tribute on Instagram on Thursday.
“They’re not here anymore, but now they’re EVERYWHERE ✨,” Perry wrote.
She continued by recalling the dynamics of their professional relationship and how she saw him as one of her ‘protectors’.
“He was attentive to getting me what I deserved and celebrated the stubborn woman that I am,” she praised. ‘I’ve been very lucky to have an AMAZING team by my side for almost 20 years, before I had (as my Memphis dad would say) a urinal to pee in or a window to throw it out of!’
She noted that he was one of her managers at Direct Management for almost 20 years and described him as the “bulldog” of her team.
‘Martin and I were able to climb so many wonderful professional mountains and have thoroughly enjoyed the sights together: travelling, tasting, learning, celebrating, leaning into the fullness and beauty of life. Martin left this dimension without a stone unturned!’ the Roar hitmaker gushed.
Three days before her death, Perry said she shared some of her new, unreleased music with him.
“I could tell he was excited for the future and I was so glad I had that last moment to make him proud in my own way,” Orlando Bloom’s fiancée said.
Perry concluded, “We weren’t able to physically say goodbye, but I know he knows how much respect and admiration I have for him, and his hearty laughter and wicked comebacks continue to resonate in my mind.”
While mourning his passing, which occurred unexpectedly while on vacation in Hawaii, the superstar, 39, explained that she wanted to “respectfully take a moment” to talk about “how special he was and is” to her.
“It’s taken me a little while to make this post… there’s something about posting it that makes everything seem final… and while Martin wasn’t particularly into social media and its sensationalism,” she began in a lengthy caption .
Following the news of his passing, Perry said she feels comforted by seeing her favorite number, 143, in random places.
‘It has been a number I have seen many times since the birth of my daughter, Daisy. “He has come to me in some of my most difficult times to comfort me and is a constant confirmation that whatever I am doing or the path I am following is the right one,” he told his more than 206 million followers on Instagram.
A day after Kirkup’s death, Perry said he saw 143 “everywhere.”
‘The morning receipt was 143, the length of the film we watched was 143 and, to top it all off, the only person who approached me to ask for a photo introduced himself as Martin. What a coincidence, huh? she mused.
Perry went on to write that he believes “angels and loved ones always want to talk to us… if we are willing to listen.”
“The signs are everywhere, we just have to be open to them,” he declared. ‘So, I will remain open and will never forget the love, dedication and protection he gave me all these years. What an honor it was to have Martin Kirkup on my team.”
Their caption was shared along with a series of photos of them taken together during various milestones in their career.
At this time, the cause of Kirkup’s death has not been revealed.
While speaking about her grief, the mother of one explained that she doesn’t believe anyone dies, but rather that they “just move on to the next dimension.”
Following the news of his passing, Perry said she feels comforted by seeing her favorite number, 143, “everywhere.”
He was an integral part of her team and was by her side as she rose to fame with her hits I Kissed a Girl and Hot N Cold.
Over the years, Kirkup also managed Counting Crows, Tracy Chapman, Go-Go’s, Adam Lambert and many others.
During a 2012 interview, while talking about Perry, he said he didn’t find it “remarkable” that she was “a huge success,” as he said he always knew she would be.
‘That’s why we hired her!’ Kirkup said. “We really believed in her and felt like she had enormous potential.”