Katy Perry, currently on her global "Lifetimes Tour," took to Instagram on Tuesday to clarify that she was not in attendance at the 2025 Met Gala, despite viral AI-generated images that convincingly depicted her on the red carpet. The singer, 40, posted the fabricated photos and addressed the confusion with humor, writing, "Couldn't make it to the MET, I'm on The Lifetimes Tour (see you in Houston tomorrow IRL)." She added, "P.s. this year I was actually with my mom so she's safe from the bots but I'm praying for the rest of y'all."
The images, which matched the event's "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme, featured a digitally created Perry in a hybrid pinstriped suit and futuristic black gown, styled with slicked-back hair and smoky eye makeup. The confusion mirrored last year's incident, when Perry's mother was deceived by similarly convincing AI photos showing the pop star in an elaborate floral gown for the 2024 gala.
The Met Gala moment comes amid a difficult public stretch for Perry, who has faced mounting online criticism following her participation in a Blue Origin space flight with Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez. In late April, Perry responded to the backlash in a candid Instagram post. "When the 'online' world tries to make me a human Piñata, I take it with grace and send them love," she wrote. "Please know I am ok, I have done a lot of work around knowing who I am, what is real and what is important to me."
Perry added that her therapist once told her, "No one can make you believe something about yourself that you don't already believe about yourself," a quote she said had become a "game changer" for how she copes with criticism.
The backlash against Perry has included jabs at her "143" album rollout and her high-profile appearance in the space flight, which some critics viewed as a symbol of billionaire detachment. One Instagram commenter called it a "totally tone deaf moment" amid global crises. Even Wendy's official social media account joined in, posting, "Can we send her back," a jab that the fast-food chain later clarified was meant in jest.
Mental health professionals weighed in on the phenomenon. "She actually had a good point," said psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis. "You have to stay true to yourself and whatever else is around you doesn't matter." Sarkis noted that Perry's experience mirrors broader patterns of public resentment toward wealth and privilege. "She's living a life that most of us are not going to live," she said. "So some of that frustration, anger... can come out."
Rob Shuter, host of the "Naughty But Nice" podcast and former celebrity publicist, added that Perry's status as a target is part of a cycle. "Before, it was Meghan [Markle]; now, it's Perry. Sooner or later, it's bound to be someone else."
Despite the noise, Perry remains focused on her career. After wrapping the Mexican leg of her tour in Monterrey on April 29, she is scheduled to perform next in Houston on May 7. The U.S. leg will continue through the summer before expanding to Australia, Canada, Europe, and concluding in Abu Dhabi on December 7.
