Tippah County Woman Arrested for Impersonating Katy Perry to Score Free Meals and Perks
FALKNER, Miss. — A Tippah County woman is behind bars after allegedly spending nearly two weeks impersonating pop superstar Katy Perry in an elaborate scheme that earned her free meals, rides, and other favors throughout northern Mississippi.
Authorities say 38-year-old Mindy Johnson, a recent transplant to the Falkner area, made her first public appearance on May 19 at the Muddy Creek Store dressed in what store employees described as a “blue spacesuit.” According to witnesses, she introduced herself as Katy Perry and claimed a cosmic journey had led her to Mississippi.
“She said the stars spelled out ‘FALKNER’ during her space odyssey,” said store cashier Jessa Gunn. “Then she cried over a honey bun, said it looked like a nebula. Honestly, she was really convincing.”
Multiple Falkner residents reported encounters with Johnson, who gave varying and increasingly bizarre reasons for her visit. She told some she was scouting church choirs for a performance with Loretta Lynn’s niece, and others that she was researching how flip-flop sounds on gravel affect songwriting rhythm.
“She told my granddaughter to avoid men with toe rings. That’s solid advice,” said local resident Rosemary Dye.
Another local, Junior Thompson, recalled giving her a ride. “I don’t care if she was Katy Perry or not,” he said. “She still owes me gas money and my nephew wants his hoodie back.”
In her short time in Tippah County, Johnson reportedly received free meals from at least six restaurants, a hair wash at Big Jim’s Auto Wash in Ripley, and even slept for two nights in a recliner at the Family Clinic of Falkner—claiming NASA designated it as her “rest nook.”
Her luck ran out Tuesday afternoon around 3 p.m., when deputies arrested her at the Ripley Inn. Authorities say she attempted to check in using a headshot photo and a handwritten IOU from Capitol Records, scribbled on the back of a gas pump receipt.
“She didn’t resist,” said Deputy Dalton Yancey. “She just asked if she could finish bleaching her mustache before leaving with us.”
Johnson is facing multiple charges including identity fraud and impersonating a celebrity without a touring license. She has not posted bail. According to deputies, she used her one phone call to ask a local man—again, Junior Thompson—if he’d consider bailing her out. She was last seen in the Tippah County Jail trying to trade commissary saltines for shimmer bronzer.
This story is developing. Check back for updates from the Tippah County Tribune.
