Why Katy Perry Says Finding Her Voice Was 'Really Important' (Exclusive)

For Katy Perry, the struggle and emotional question to find her true voice has been one of her most meaningful journeys.

ET spoke with the pop superstar and American Idol judge at the 10th Annual DVF Awards at the Brooklyn Museum in New York on Thursday, and she opened up about how the event's founder, iconic fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, has impacted her life.

"I always admired her from afar but being able to really know her has really cemented [my] admiration and the respect I have for her," Perry shared, praising the fashion legend's "strength".

"She's persevered and been resilient and she's really what I wanna grow up to be," Perry reflected.

The singer credited von Furstenberg for helping women all across the world find their voice, "And for me that's really important."

"That's been my journey, to find my voice," she explained. "How ironic is it that I'm a singer and I already have one part of my voice? But it's taken me a long time to find strength in my day to day life." 

"Standing up for myself and feeling like I'm enough, feeling safe, all those things I've had to work on," Perry added. "So, I like to be in the company of women who have found their voice."

The singer, who donned a DVF dress and shoes from her own Katy Perry Collections, was honored with the Inspiration Award at the star-studded ceremony, which honored Perry for her philanthropic work and her longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ causes.

"What is extraordinary about Katy is that she really uses her voice and opens her heart," von Furstenberg told ET at the gala ceremony. "She really cares about kids, she really cares about the LGBT community, and she's a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF… she is compassionate and vulnerable and wonderful."

Perry has shown a lot of that compassion as a judge on American Idol, where she's been brought to tears numerous times by the contestant's emotional stories and hardships. 

Check out the video below for a look at some of Perry's most heartfelt and inspirational moments from this season of Idol.

'American Idol': Katy Perry's Heartwarming Advice to Singer Whose Parents Haven't Accepted He's Gay

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