Katy Perry’s highly anticipated Lifetimes World Tour has sparked a storm of controversy — and it all seemed to come crashing down for the pop superstar during an emotional moment on stage.
The 39-year-old singer, who kicked off her tour in Mexico City last week, broke down in tears during a performance, as social media users continued to roast her show’s production and style. Perry, known for her over-the-top, colorful concerts, found herself facing a wave of backlash unlike anything she’s seen in years.
Perry’s latest tour features a 24-song set packed with her biggest hits and was supposed to be a triumphant return to the spotlight after a rocky album release last year. However, clips from her concerts quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.
One TikTok post, racking up millions of views, mocked Perry’s use of a plastic lightsaber during a performance of “E.T.” as she fought off back-up dancers on wires. “Katy Perry said NO BUDGET for the Lifetimes tour!” the caption joked, triggering thousands of harsh comments.
Many fans took shots at the show’s “cheap” visuals, comparing the vibe to bargain online retailer Temu or even the infamous “Wonka Experience” disaster in Glasgow. Others piled on, saying Perry looked “bored” while performing and criticizing her dance moves as stiff and uninspired.
Another sore point for concertgoers was the apparent use of AI-generated backdrops. During the performance of her song “Lifetimes,” Perry appeared in front of a screen showing smiling party-goers — images fans quickly pointed out looked computer-generated, not real. Critics slammed it as “zero effort” and “low budget,” accusing Perry of cutting corners on a tour meant to celebrate her decades-long career.
Adding fuel to the fire, a separate clip circulated showing Perry delivering awkward, half-hearted dance moves during “Part of Me,” which many said didn’t match the energy or polish fans expect from a pop veteran.
Amid this swirling negativity, Perry showed a rare vulnerable moment during her show. While performing “Pearl,” a surprise song requested by fans, she was seen wiping away tears as she sang. The emotional display revealed just how much the public criticism may be weighing on her.
It’s been a tough stretch for Perry. Her comeback album, 143, released last September, failed to make the splash she hoped for — falling quickly off the charts and not delivering any top 40 hits in key markets.
More recently, Perry participated in an all-female Blue Origin space flight, which, while historic, also drew mixed reactions. Perry used her brief time in orbit to announce her tour setlist, a move some called gimmicky.
Despite all the noise online, there’s still a bright spot ahead for Perry: her Australian tour dates are seeing strong demand. When she lands in Sydney on June 4, she’ll kick off 15 nearly sold-out arena shows across five cities. While other major artists like Beyoncé have struggled to sell out stadiums recently, Perry’s Australian fanbase appears ready to welcome her with open arms.
The question remains: will Perry tweak her show in response to the backlash, or double down on her current creative vision? Either way, her upcoming performances will give Aussie fans the chance to judge for themselves — and perhaps remind everyone why Katy Perry became a pop powerhouse in the first place.
One thing’s certain: behind the pop star’s glittery armor, Katy Perry is feeling the pressure, and the world is watching closely to see what her next move will be.