[Z]

I think people also are too quick to jump to conclusions about what the two individual achievements actually consist of. Michael Jackson managed it in a time without the influence of the internet. Katy Perry managed it in a time with the influence of the internet. Both, in my opinion, are remarkable achievements for entirely different reasons. The internet can both make and ruin popstars - sometimes both. Katy Perry's ridden a wave of social media, media exposure etc to do this; while Michael Jackson did not. So on the one hand; that Michael Jackson accomplished such a feat in that time is outstanding; and on the other hand, that Katy Perry's done it while competing with every other artist who has the same means at their disposal regardless of talent etc etc, is also impressive.

I think it's just a matter of how you interpret it, personally. I don't see how they're even comparable achievements beyond being the numbers 5 or 6. Different eras, different styles, different genders ffs, they have so little to do with each other it's unreal.