Katy Perry has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at her highly anticipated AFL Grand Final performance as she rehearsed just hours before the big performance.
The American pop star, 39, took to Instagram on Saturday morning to add to the excitement about her headline performance at the MCG’s AFL showdown.
She shared a black and white video of herself on stage in the center of the football stadium, where she will sing live in front of 100,000 AFL fans on Saturday afternoon.
She was accompanied by a series of backup dancers as she showed off her vocals and joined them in choreographed routines as they did sound check for the big show.
The Roar hitmaker cut a sporty figure in figure-hugging cream bike shorts and a matching crop top, which she teamed with black sneakers and sunglasses.
She swept her brunette locks under a baseball cap as she kept it casual and declined to reveal what outfit she will wear on the show.
Katy also simply played her pre-recorded music over the video and muted the live audio, making sure the audience had some surprises in store.
‘Today is the day. Can’t wait to take the stage in front of 100,000 Aussies for the AFL Grand Final,” Katy wrote in a caption.
Katy Perry has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at her highly anticipated AFL Grand Final performance as she rehearsed with dancers (pictured) just hours before the big performance
She will take to the stage at the MCG on Saturday at 1.40pm to headline the pregame entertainment for the Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans showdown
She will take to the stage at the MCG on Saturday at 1.40pm to headline the pregame entertainment for the Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans showdown.
Katy is reportedly paid as much as $5 million to perform just five songs live on stage during the short setlist, with conflict arising over her song choice.
Katy was said to have had a falling out with AFL bosses because she wanted to perform her new songs, but they reportedly asked her to sing her big hits such as Firework and Teenage Dream instead.
They reportedly reached a compromise where Katy would sing four of her most loved songs, along with one song from her new album 143, which divided fans and critics alike.
Katy will also be joined on stage at the MCG by Australian superstar Tina Arena for a surprise duet, while Cody Simpson will later sing the national anthem.
However, not all Australians were happy that Tina was signed up to perform at the grand final, as they called on AFL fans to ‘boo’ her.
Many fans criticized AFL bosses’ decision to include Tina in the line-up, citing her previous divisive comments about Daniel Andrews’ lengthy Covid lockdowns in Victoria.
Katy (pictured at the VMAs) is reportedly paid a whopping $5 million to perform just five songs live on stage during the short setlist
Katy will also be joined on stage by Tina Arena (pictured in April) for a surprise duet, but not all Aussies were happy with her involvement as they called on AFL fans to ‘boo’ her
On
Another said: ‘SHOW DEAF! Why on earth would the AFL choose a washed up 90s French wannabe as entertainment? Have they learned nothing from Meatloaf?’
A third wrote: ‘Katy Perry performing with Tina Arena tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how many boos she gets from the 100,000 people in the stadium.”
“I’m reserving my thoughts on Tina Arena’s performance with Katy Perry at the AFL GF for now,” a fourth tweeted.
While another said: ‘Please tell me the Victorians are going to boo the Tina Arena?’
However, other fans shared their delight that Tina would be taking to the stage alongside Roar hitmaker 39, as they praised the collaboration.
One wrote: ‘I love Tina Arena! She is an absolute legend,” and another said, “Lmao society is fucked when they boo Tina Arena.”
A third said: ‘Tina Arena is a great choice,’ while a fourth said: ‘I forgot how good Tina Arena is.’
A fifth wrote: “Melbourne at its best with the jewel in our crown, amazing Tina,” and another added: “Tina you are a true Melbourne icon.”
Tina sparked controversy with her condemnation of Victorian Covid-19 lockdowns and sparked anger when she revealed she had broken the rules to oppose what she called a “totalitarian” system.
Although she did not publicly endorse any conspiracy theory, she deliberately violated the rule advising citizens not to travel more than three miles from home unless necessary.
‘Why are you not allowed to drive further than five kilometers? Guess what – look at me. So I did. I’ve gone past my five kilometres,” she told The Weekend Australian last year.
Many fans criticized AFL bosses’ decision to include Tina in the line-up, citing her previous divisive comments about Daniel Andrews’ lengthy Covid lockdowns in Victoria.
‘Am I a criminal now? Will you pull me up? Pull me up. Do you want to fine me? Fine me. I’m not the one with the problem here.
‘The problem is that there is no logic. You have no right to do that. You’re fining me. This is totalitarian. That’s not how we work.’
Tina went on to claim she had not heard anyone else complain about the strict lockdowns, as she doubled down on her criticism of the rules.
‘I haven’t heard anyone else complaining during the lockdown: ‘Why are we locked up? Where is your science? What? Why?,” she continued.
‘The fear was so great for me; it was suffocating me, I thought: I can’t stand it that you are all so fear-driven and compliant.’
