I don't think she's a complete sell out...most pop stars have a hunger for fame, money comes secondary...record labels, however, are all about money and marketing, and this is the reason why there are so many ''pop puppets''. Basically they use women such as Rihanna as a conduit for marketing and generating cold hard cash, and the ''puppet'' (using Rihanna as an example here), who craves fame for egotistical rather than financial reasons (money may be a factor too, but rarely the primary one for the puppet concerned), will relent to her record labels demands, carve her image to suit their needs etc, (for example, she had to attain permission from her record label to dye her hair red) and this symbiotic (or should I say parisitic?) relationship continues until her success diminishes, or she herself attempts to break free from the shackles of marketing. Britney Spears' mental breakdown is an example of the effect extensive puppeteering can have on an individual.
Katy Perry is semi-manufactured, utilising many popular producers to entice casual listeners with catchy hooks and whatnot, but she does co-write 90% of her material, and her pseudo-lesbian image is really what drew people's attention. It's all a bit bland, but it does paint a picture of her as at least capable enough to market herself shamelessly without constant supervision from her label. Her talent is limited though...poor vocal range, inability to emote, shouts to skip high notes and her songwriting is very poor...
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