Katy Perry’s VMAs Triumph May Not Favor Her Career Moving Forward

Katy Perry took the stage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards with a mission: to remind pop fans that she still deserves their attention.

Perry, a major pop icon since her debut album “One of the Boys” released over 15 years ago, was honored as the latest recipient of the Video Vanguard award. This accolade is considered a lifetime achievement award at the VMAs, celebrating her lasting impact on the music industry.

Her performance, a medley celebrating her extensive career, was meant to be a victory lap. Perry, known for her huge hits in the late 2000s and early 2010s, delivered chart-topping tracks like “Teenage Dream,” which is renowned for producing five No. 1 hits—matched only by Michael Jackson’s “Bad.”

However, despite her past successes, Perry’s recent comeback has encountered significant challenges.

While she boasts nine chart-topping hits from before 2015, none have emerged in over a decade. Her subsequent projects faced a series of setbacks, beginning with the mixed reaction to “Witness” in 2017 and continuing with the criticized themes of “Smile” in 2020.

July 2024 marked a significant pivot for Perry as she launched her new era in music. With vibrant visuals and high-budget music videos, she seemed poised to reestablish herself within pop’s top echelons.

Yet, the lead single “Woman’s World” was met with mockery from fans and critics, being labeled as tone-deaf and unpleasant. This backlash threatened to derail her comeback, with some labeling the situation as a “career crisis.”

It remains uncertain whether Perry’s selection as this year’s Vanguard recipient was made before the rollout of her new album or if it was a strategic decision to salvage her image. Regardless, her new album, “143,” is set for release next week, and she has much to prove. “Woman’s World” debuted at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100, with its follow-up single “Lifetimes” failing to chart at all.

Upon her arrival at the VMAs, Perry seemed ready to celebrate her career with enthusiasm. She engaged with fans on the red carpet, taking selfies and chatting with MTV hosts. When a journalist complimented her beauty, Perry playfully responded, earning a chuckle from the crowd—showing that her charm remains intact.

Admittedly, many had low expectations for her Vanguard performance. Given the crowded field of anticipated performers, Perry wasn’t among the frontrunners in most people’s minds.

However, her entrance was striking. Perry opened with an impressive medley featuring “Dark Horse” and “ET,” proving that she still holds significant sway over her audience. Her signature songs maintained their fun and memorable essence, reminiscent of her creative peak when her lyrics were clever and catchy. The night after the performance, it wasn’t uncommon for fans to find themselves humming her hits.

A standout moment of the medley was “Teenage Dream,” a track often celebrated for its exceptional composition. Fans shared their awe at witnessing Perry perform it live, referring to the experience as surreal.

The power of Perry’s earlier songs was both a triumph and a challenge during her performance. While her classic hits are undeniable, juxtaposing them with her latest singles highlighted a disparity. The new material, when placed alongside established hits, felt even less impactful.

Perry’s collaboration with Doechii, “I’m His, He’s Mine,” was sandwiched between “ET” and “California Gurls.” While the duet was far from flawed, it appeared more as an interlude—a pause before returning to the beloved classics.

During their performance, Perry and Doechii showcased intimate choreography, aiming to grab attention, though it seemed to distract from the song itself. Perry closed her medley with “Lifetimes,” a typical dance track that felt anticlimactic, especially following iconic songs like “I Kissed a Girl” and “Firework.”

While Perry undeniably succeeded in delivering a vibrant performance filled with spectacle, it fell short in proving that her latest music could measure up to her classic hits.

Source: Business Insider