Katy Perry's Ultra-Religious Parents See The Upside In Her Divorce From Russell Brand
Jan. 6 2012, Published 3:00 p.m. ET
Katy Perry's deeply religious parents Keith and Mary Hudson told 300 people at Westlake, Ohio's Church on the Rise that at least some good emerged from their daughter's break-up with husband Russell Brand: a packed house of parishioners.
"I'm sure that Katy's trending on the Internet was to get you here to church tonight," Mary, 63, told churchgoers during the 90-minute service Thursday. "I mean all over the world, who knows how God is bringing them in? The most important thing is you are here and God wants to put the fire in you in 2012."
Her father Keith, 63, said that Katy's success in music "has opened many opportunities to go in and be with guarded and gated people.
"God has given us a platform to go in and meet people, and they like us because we are cool," he said. "We are not threatening."
Keith didn't appear to lose any faith in the I Kissed A Girl singer in the wake of her 14-month marriage to the English wild-man, who reportedly rankled the pop star with his barbs aimed at her folks.
"I love my daughter and I will always love her," the devout dad said. "Stop being judgmental and critical. Do not close the doors to your loved ones, especially your children. Just because they do not like what you do or what you are, they are still praying that you stay in the race. They are counting on you."
Just last month, the Get Him To The Greek star told Ellen DeGeneres that he and the Firework singer were happily married, despite reports divorce papers were in the offing.
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Brand filed for divorce December 30; when Ellen asked him about the break-up rumors earlier in the month, he said, "What?!? She should have told me!
"I am really happily married," he said. "Perpetually, until death do us part, was the pledge."
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