Katy Perry has always danced to her own beats, from candy-colored cupcakes to roaring anthems like Fireworks and California Gurls. But lately, the pop princess’s spotlight has been flickering under a cloud of public backlash. Her latest post, showcasing a sleek, futuristic vibe from her promotion, was supposed to shine. But instead, it is igniting a storm of online criticism.
With all her crushed reputation and online boos, some fans are even demanding her retirement. It’s as if the girl who once lit up stadiums is now fighting to keep the spark alive. So what’s really happening with Katy? The storm of backlash that even she did not see coming.
Katy Perry’s latest promotional post sparks backlash
The spark was a seemingly harmless promotional tweet. Katy Perry, clad in a futuristic white ensemble, debuted her “KP143 LEVEL 3 SKIN” in a sleek video posted to X. The promotional clip was intended to hype up her third “skin” drop tied to her 143 project, a concept album released in September 2024 that centers around love, transformation, and the symbolic number “143.”
However, instead of generating buzz, the post reignited criticism over Perry’s recent artistic choices. Fans were quick to criticize the video’s series of frames, calling it “stupid,” “embarrassing,” and “gross.” That criticism has been building for months.
Is is a great example of her dancing skills.
You’re an embarrassment Katy, time to retire!
— Shandman (@Shandman81) June 12, 2025
A mess
— jINX•pOW 🖤👹 M∀YHEM | #1 VIY STAN 🪞 (@youreajinx420) June 12, 2025
delete now
— chase 🌊 (@poplipa) June 12, 2025
You look stupid
— Brandon Weaver (@Badg3rman33) June 12, 2025
Gross
— Charles J Reeves (@JarvDaWavIEsT) June 12, 2025
Her ongoing Lifetimes Tour, meant to support the 143 album, has been plagued by sluggish U.S. ticket sales. According to insiders speaking to the Daily Mail, venues in cities like Minneapolis, Denver, and Oklahoma City are showing “dismal” attendance, with large sections of seats still unsold.
Some within Live Nation were reportedly skeptical from the beginning, and conversations about scaling down or restructuring the tour have taken place behind the scenes.
While international dates in Mexico and Australia have sold out, U.S. shows are struggling. Ticketmaster seat maps for cities like Denver and Minneapolis reveal large swaths of empty rows, prompting behind-the-scenes concern at Live Nation.
Performance clips from the tour haven’t helped. A now-infamous video of Perry battling a giant puppet with a lightsaber on stage went viral, for being cringe. Viewers described the show as underwhelming, a far cry from the powerful energy Perry was once known for. Then comes her space tour and personal life struggle.
Katy Perry’s public scrutiny is getting out of hand, with rumors of tension in relationship
Adding to the public backlash is Perry’s participation in Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin all-female spaceflight earlier this year. While intended to break barriers, the flight sparked environmental and financial criticisms. Many are calling it tone-deaf amid the climate crisis. Her post-flight celebration, where she kissed the ground and held up a daisy, was heavily mocked online.
Perry seemed to address the growing backlash in a now-controversial “human Piñata” Instagram post. The post has only intensified criticism, with many accusing the singer of dismissing legitimate feedback.
On the personal front, sources told PEOPLE that the pressure from the album’s reception and tour reviews has caused tension in her relationship with fiancé Orlando Bloom. One insider said,
Katy was deeply frustrated following the reception of her new album. It made her very stressed. Orlando was understanding, but it did cause some tension.
Still, there are signs of international success. Her Mexico shows sold out, prompting an added date, and the Australian leg of the tour is reportedly performing well. Katy Perry, once the highest-grossing pop star, is now struggling to sell stadiums.
Despite the backlash, Perry has made no mention of retirement. In this polarizing moment, Perry seems committed to pushing forward, even as the internet begs her to stop.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
