Katy Perry's Lifetimes Tour, which began in Mexico City, has encountered significant criticism and fan speculation surrounding its seemingly disjointed performances. The tour’s rocky start has been marked by negative online commentary focusing on Perry's dance moves, vocal delivery, and costume choices. Several fans and commentators have noted a lack of cohesion in the show, prompting discussion about the possible causes behind the production’s current state.
A TikTok user named Catherine has put forward a widely shared theory suggesting that the concert was originally designed to feature prominent references to Perry's recent journey to space with Blue Origin, but these elements were reportedly removed at the last minute following public backlash. Perry, 40, was one of six passengers aboard an all-female 11-minute flight to the edge of space, an event that drew controversy over its environmental impact and high cost.
During the spaceflight, Perry wore a blue jumpsuit and carried a daisy in tribute to her daughter. She also sang to her fellow passengers and planted a kiss on the ground upon her return. The trip was highlighted extensively prior to the tour, which launched shortly thereafter. Catherine speculates that the concert's stage design and choreography initially incorporated strong astronaut-themed elements, including a blue astronaut suit, a daisy, and likely a rocket set piece. However, she believes these were scrapped to avoid further ridicule and criticism.
“You had to leave in the moon hanging from the sky and some of the spacey references but they're like get rid of the aliens and swap in robots, forget the daisy just use a lightsaber,” Catherine said in her TikTok clip. She suggested that some space-themed visuals remained in the show because of the financial implications of removing expensive set pieces, giving the performance an incongruous mix of motifs, from lightsaber battles and robotic dance routines to AI-generated graphics, dancers dressed as droids, and giant floating moons.
The theory goes on to explain the show's inconsistent feel: “So it comes across as really disjointed and it is unpractised, not because she didn't practice for the tour, because she scraped all the astronaut parts of the tour but you still see the little space remnants,” Catherine added. The video has garnered over 2.5 million views, with many users agreeing with the suggestion that the spaceflight influenced initial plans for the tour’s creative direction, which were abruptly altered.
Further observations include discussion about Perry holding a butterfly cutout during her spaceflight, revealing the Lifetimes Tour setlist written on the wings, a move fans interpreted as a symbolic gesture linking the tour to her space journey. Some viewers noted that the slow choreography and floating mannerisms could have been designed to simulate anti-gravity effects. Others commented on the AI backgrounds used on stage likely replacing originally intended space footage.
Perry's fans have offered varied interpretations and defended parts of the show’s creative choices, noting her history of incorporating whimsical, playful elements into her performances. One fan highlighted the show’s concept as a video game storyline involving collecting hearts to defeat an AI villain, suggesting a deeper meaning behind the theatrical presentation. Other supporters appreciated Perry’s imaginative approach to her tour, contrasting it with a perceived lack of originality in contemporary live performances by other artists.
The Lifetimes Tour marks Perry’s fifth world tour, following her return from the spaceflight which generated both interest and controversy. Perry’s recent involvement with Blue Origin attracted significant media coverage due to the flight's cost and environmental concerns. The Tour’s mix of space-related themes and broad theatrical elements has led to a range of responses from both critics and fans as it continues. The Daily Mail is reporting on these developments.
Source: Noah Wire Services