GONE TOO SOON. Katy Perry is devastated with grief. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing.

In a heartbreaking social media post, Katy Perry talked about the death of one of her managers.

As a tribute to Martin Kirkup on Thursday, the 39-year-old singer shared some photos of herself with him.

Martin died at the age of 76.

The Dark Horse singer said she had to write about Martin because he was so special, even though he didn’t like social media.

“It took me a little while to make this post…something about posting it makes it all feel final…” Katy wrote on Instagram. And while Martin didn’t like social media or the news that comes with it, I feel compelled to say how important he was and still is to me.

“I say this because I don’t think anyone “dies.” I think they just go to the next dimension,” she said. They are no longer here; they are everywhere now.

“Martin Kirkup was one of my bosses at Direct Management for almost 20 years,” Katy said. He always told us, “Show me the data, the P&L, the science, the facts!” He was the leader of our group. He would say something cheeky, clever, or eloquent with an English accent, like “That’s ridiculous!” if nothing else worked. Everyone would believe him.

“Martin helped keep me safe. He worked hard to get me what I deserved and praised the strong woman I am.

Thank you for being on my team for almost 20 years, before I had (as my father from Memphis would say) a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of!

“Martin, along with all of my managers, have literally fought day in and day out for my voice to be heard, and I have SO much pride, respect and admiration for my team at Direct Management.”

There was also news that Katy had played the British music executive some of her new music before he died.

His last three days were spent hearing some of what I had been working on and how happy and loving it was.

“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 little way.”

Katy’s heartbreaking note ended, “We didn’t get to physically say goodbye, but I know he knows how much respect and admiration I have for him, and his hearty chuckles and wicked retorts continue to echo through my mind.”

The news source Variety says Martin’s family includes his wife Lale Kirkup, daughter Melisa Kirkup Blatt, son John Kirkup, and three grandchildren, Sam, Abigail, and Ivy.

STOP IDOLING

Katy announced on Monday that she is leaving American Idol after six years as a judge.

The singer from Fireworks plans to leave the show at the end of the season to work on new music.

Katy told Jimmy Kimmel Live about her choice, “So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol.”

“I adore Idol excessively. The heart of America is connected to me, but I need to feel my own heartbeat.

“I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”

“Well, you know, I’m going to be at Rock in Rio, a huge music festival in Brazil, this fall, in September.” I think it’s really cool,” she said.

“People all over the world are excited, but my fans in Brazil are especially excited.”

“That means it’s going to be a really fun year for all pop star girls.”

“Maybe I’ll come back if they’ll have me one day!”

LATEST MUSIC

Fans of Katy think she’s going to release a new album soon now that she’s moving on. They’ve been begging the star to put out new music for a long time.