All proceeds from the event will benefit the Firework Foundation, founded in 2018 by Katy and her sister, Angela Lerche.
On Sunday, October 13th, Katy Perry & Friends hosted the 2nd Annual Light Up the Court Pickleball Tournament at the Montecito Club in Santa Barbara, CA, Katy’s hometown. All proceeds from the event will support the Firework Foundation, which was founded in 2018 by Katy and her sister, Angela Lerche, to empower children from underserved communities by nurturing their creativity through the arts.
The tournament began with a round-robin featuring players such as Ellen DeGeneres, Orlando Bloom, Charlie Puth, Lauren Sanchez, Rob Lowe, John Owen Lowe, Benji Madden, James Valentine, and local pickleball fans.
The 2024 Light Up the Court Champions were Mike Roberts and Eui Oh, who also claimed victory over last year’s champions in a special “All Time Best” match celebrating Santa Barbara.
To cap off the event, produced once again by Ngoc Nguyen of Nguyen Strategies, Katy and Angela (formerly known as the Hudson Sisters) teamed up with top pickleball professionals, the Brascia Sisters, for an exciting mic’d exhibition match. In a thrilling contest, Katy and Mary Brascia edged out Angela and Maggie Brascia with a score of 11-9.
CELSIUS returned as the exclusive energy drink sponsor of the event, sharing VIP billing this year with new sponsor Denon, which provided its premier PerL Pro earbuds to VIP guests. Other returning sponsors included City National Bank, DeSoi, Amass, Cascade, Avaline, CRBN, Civile, and Stanley, the latter of which created special 2024 Light Up the Court hoodies and paddles. Stanley also customized their premier cross bottle for all attendees.
New sponsors this year included Oliver Thomas, PlatinumLED Therapy Lights, Roar, Form Nutrition, EltaMD, Koatji, Perakos Family Cares, Kaylin & Kaylin Pickles, Life Time, and major pickleball brand Joola, which supplied the tournament’s pickleballs and various paddles from their extensive line.
Camp counselors from the Firework Foundation’s Camp Firework were present to distribute custom visors and shirts while sharing details about the organization’s marquee initiative—a three-day sleep-away experience in nature where up to 100 kids can discover their spark through artistic programming and bring that creativity back to their communities.
The foundation collaborates with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, LAAMP (founded by Katy’s collaborators on “Firework”), Young Producers Group, and FIDM on music and mentorship programs, as well as leaders-in-training programs for camp alumni. Katy and Angela were featured in a segment about the Firework Foundation in a Lifetime special on Variety’s 2022 “Power of Women: The Changemakers.”
ABOUT KATY PERRY:
Since her Capitol Records debut in 2008 with One of the Boys, Katy Perry has amassed a staggering 115 billion streams and over 70 million adjusted album sales worldwide. As the biggest-selling female artist in Capitol history, she is one of only twelve artists to surpass 100 million certified units for solo singles, and the first Capitol Records artist to achieve the elite status of 10 million RIAA-certified units for a single in 2015.
She has also made history as the first artist to earn three RIAA Diamond singles for “Firework,” “Dark Horse,” and “Roar,” and has since added more, including “California Gurls” (feat. Snoop Dogg), “E.T.,” and the Diamond-certified Teenage Dream album, bringing her total to seven Diamond-certified titles.
Beyond her musical success, Katy is a passionate advocate for various philanthropic causes. Appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2013, she has worked tirelessly to promote children’s rights to health, education, equality, and protection.
Katy has also ventured into entrepreneurship with her shoe line, Katy Perry Collections, and various health and wellness initiatives. She serves on the Board of Bragg, known for its Apple Cider Vinegar, and has invested in companies like Impossible Foods and Apeel Sciences, which focuses on reducing food waste. Recently, she co-founded De Soi, a line of non-alcoholic sparkling apéritifs infused with natural adaptogens, in partnership with AMASS.
Katy has just completed her critically acclaimed Las Vegas residency, PLAY, and has been a judge on American Idol since its return in 2018, recently finishing her seventh and final season on the show. Her new album, 143, is now available.
ABOUT FIREWORK FOUNDATION:
Founded by Katy Perry and her sister, Angela Lerche, the Firework Foundation is dedicated to empowering children from underserved communities by igniting their inner light through the arts. Through impactful events and programs, including the annual Camp Firework launched in 2018, the foundation creates environments where kids can explore various artistic specialties alongside traditional camp activities, helping them discover their spark and bring that creativity back to their communities.
During the school year, the foundation partners with local Boys & Girls Clubs in the Los Angeles area to provide supplemental artistic programming for after-school care. The Firework Foundation also supports various youth-serving organizations with donations to programs like Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Rock N Roll Camp for Girls Los Angeles, MOXI – The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, Santa Barbara Foundation, Baby2Baby, and more. For additional information, visit fireworkfoundation.org and follow @fireworkfoundation.
