Katy Perry has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at her long-awaited AFL Grand Final performance as she rehearsed just hours before the big concert.
The American pop star, 39, took to Instagram on Saturday morning to ramp up the excitement for her headlining performance ahead of the MCG’s AFL match.
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 joined by a host of backup dancers as she sang at the top of her lungs and joined them in choreographed routines as they did sound checks for the big show.
The Roar hitmaker cut a sporty figure in tight cream shorts and a matching crop top, which she teamed with black trainers and sunglasses.
She swept her brunette locks under a baseball cap as she kept things casual, refusing to reveal what outfit she’ll be wearing during the show.
Katy also simply played her pre-recorded music over the video and muted the live audio while making sure to save a few surprises for the audience.
‘Today is the day. “Can’t wait to get on stage in front of 100,000 Australians for the AFL Grand Final,” Katy said 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 concert.
He will take to the MCG stage at 1.40pm on Saturday to headline the pre-match entertainment between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans.
He will take to the MCG stage at 1.40pm on Saturday to headline the pre-match entertainment between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans.
Katy is reportedly being paid a staggering $5 million to perform just five songs live on stage during the brief setlist, and conflicts arise over her choice of songs.
Katy was said to have clashed with AFL bosses because she wanted to perform her new songs, but they reportedly asked her to sing her biggest hits including Firework and Teenage Dream.
They reportedly reached a compromise with Katy to sing four of her most beloved songs along with a song from her new album 143, which has 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 with Tina signing up to perform in the Grand Final, as they asked 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’ prolonged Covid lockdowns in Victoria.
Katy (pictured at the VMAs) will reportedly be paid a staggering $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, however not all Australians were happy with her participation as they asked AFL fans to ‘boo’ her.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan wrote: ‘Everyone must boo #TinaArena at the Grand Final tomorrow!’
Another said: ‘DEAF! Why would the AFL choose a 90s French wannabe for entertainment? Didn’t they learn anything from Meatloaf?
A third wrote: ‘Katy Perry is performing with Tina Arena tomorrow. “It will be interesting to see how many boos he 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,” tweeted a fourth.
While another added: “Please tell me Victorians are going to boo Tina Arena.”
However, other fans shared their delight that Tina took to the stage alongside the Roar hitmaker, 39, and praised the collaboration.
One wrote: ‘I love Tina Arena! She is an absolute legend,” and another shared, “Lmao society is screwed if they boo Tina Arena.”
A third said: “Tina Arena is a wonderful choice,” while a fourth commented: “I had forgotten how good Tina Arena is.”
A fifth wrote: “Melbourne at its finest with the jewel in our crown, amazing Tina,” and another added: “Tina, you are a true Melbourne icon.”
Tina sparked controversy with her disapproval of Victorian Covid-19 lockdowns and incited anger when she revealed she broke the rules to resist what she called a “totalitarian” system.
While he did not publicly support any conspiracy theories, he deliberately violated the rule advising citizens not to travel more than 5 kilometers from home unless necessary.
‘Why can’t you drive more than five kilometers? Guess what, look at me. So I did it. “I drove beyond my five kilometres,” he 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’ prolonged Covid lockdowns in Victoria.
‘Am I a criminal now? Do you want to get me up? Lift me up. Do you want to fine me? Fine with me. I’m not the one who has the problem here.
‘The point is that there is no logic. You have no right to do that. You’re fining me. This is totalitarian. We don’t work like that.’
Tina went on to claim that she had not heard anyone else complain about the strict lockdowns as she doubled down on her criticism of the rules.
‘I didn’t hear anyone complain during lockdown apart from me: ‘Why are we locked down?’ Where is your science? That? Why?’ he continued.
‘The fear was so much for me; I was suffocating, I thought, I can’t stand all of you being so fear-driven and docile.’