PERRY IN AWE OF STEFANI

KATY PERRY wants to emulate her heroine GWEN STEFANI - but she’s worried the music industry will dump her when her initial burst of fame subsides.

The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker is looking forward to penning a string of classic songs and building a reputation as a serious musician.

But she’s concerned the music industry’s obsession with overnight success means she won’t be given time to develop her talent.

Perry writes on her Twitter.com page, “When I grow up I wanna (sic) be just like Gwen Stefani… It’s not a race it’s a marathon. I keep telling myself this. Think of the big picture.

“I think music is weird these days, people don’t, well the music industry doesn’t let u grow anymore, everything has 2B (sic) now, so immediate. Like watching Gwen tonight that was a 15 year in the making.

“I can’t wait to make magic like that in 15 yrs (sic), I just don’t know if people will wait for people to grow like they used to. Music is not fast food… It should change & grow and not be such competition of who’s on top or not.

“I think since we live in such an internet fueled (sic) world w/everything @ our finger tips immediately we all want our musicians to b (sic) of Beyonce/Madonna level from the get when we forget those amazing girls have been doing it for 15-25 years.

“I’m so thankful for the wonderful new fans & hope u guys will grow with me.”