Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ Was Written by a Movie Star

Katy Perry‘s “Firework” is perhaps the most ubiquitous Fourth of July anthem and self-empowerment anthem of modern times. Interestingly, it was co-written by a movie star who appeared in a popular trilogy of movies. The star noted that many fans are unaware of her role in penning the song.

Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ is connected to songs by Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Beyoncé

Ester Dean co-starred in all three of the Pitch Perfect movies as Cynthia-Rose. She also appeared in other Hollywood films like Rio and Ice Age: Continental Drift. However, she is most known for writing pop songs.

Some of the hits she wrote for other artists include Rihanna’s “S&M” and “What’s My Name?,” Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass,” and Beyoncé’s “Countdown.” She has a penchant for writing for major pop divas, but her tunes are all very different.

During a 2015 interview with Time, Dean was asked if she ever expected her songs to become hits before they flopped. “All of them!” she replied. “I thought everything was going to be even bigger than it was. ‘Firework’ was something that I didn’t know was going to be that big.”

Ester Dean wanted to write an all-girl diva collaboration for Katy Perry

Dean was asked how she felt about the fact that millions of people know the words to “Firework” but didn’t know she wrote it. “You can sometimes feel unappreciated,” she revealed. “You can sometimes feel glad because you can go outside without having people in your business. Everybody has this little bitty ego that they like to get stroked. I go out and be Ester Dean for Ester Dean’s ego, to feel like I’m accomplished in life, and then I do songs for Rihanna and nobody has to know.”

Dean said she had some massive ambitions for the future. “I want to give a No. 1 to all the divas I haven’t had a No. 1 with,” she said. “I really wish I could work with Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera. If I could do one of those songs that’s got Beyoncé, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry — an all-girl No. 1 smash — I would be done. I could just pack up my bags.” Dean also said she wanted to write tracks for the 1990s/2000s stars Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.

‘Firework’ is part of an album that defined the early 2010s

“Firework” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and spent a total of 39 weeks on the chart, making it Perry’s biggest hit in the United States besides “Dark Horse.” “Firework” will likely stick around longer, as its lyrics are universal, unlike than those of “Dark Horse.”

“Firework” appeared on the era-defining album Teenage Dream. That record topped the Billboard 200 for one week, staying on the chart for 329 weeks in total. The record produced four other No. 1 singles: “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “E.T.,” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.).” The 2010s were characterized by dance-pop and optimistic music. If you want to understand that time in music, there’s no better place to start than Teenage Dream, which remains Perry’s most popular record.

“Firework” is one of the best self-empowerment anthems ever and we have Dean to thank for it.