Katy Perry sparked a divide among ITV viewers after she opened the annual Capital Jingle Bell Ball concert on Sunday evening.
The festive gig featured a varied line-up of singers, with presenters Jordan North, Sian Welby and Chris Stark having hosted the star-studded event earlier this month before it hit screens at the weekend.
The acts included the likes of Perry, Coldplay, KSI, DJ Joel Corry and Perrie Edwards, but it was Perry’s opening gig that sparked a lot of response just minutes into the show.
Perry, 40, was the first to take to the stage, where she performed a few of her early 2010s classics such as California Gurls and Roar.
The American singer also added in some festive numbers, including Cozy Little Christmas.
While the crowd seemed to enjoy Perry’s performance inside London’s O2, many watching from their screens were quick to criticise her vocals.
The singer sparked some backlash across various social media platforms, with one writing on Instagram: “She should retire.”
“Fun popstar but sounds terrible,” another user agreed, with a third adding: “Weak vocals huh.”
On X, formerly Twitter, a fourth remarked: “Katy Perry needs to stop trying to make Katy Perry happen again. Leave it in the 2010s girl #CapitalJBB.”
“Katy, there’s no shame in miming. Yours sincerely, My Ears. #JingleBellBall,” someone else added.
Katy Perry’s ITV Jingle Bell Ball performance divided opinion
ITV
However, some were quick to defend the Firework hit-maker, with one writing: “Wow @katyperry you was amazing and I’ve got respect for you because you didn’t mime like some artists do. It’s not easy to sing and dance live so well done girl xx #CapitalJBB #JBB.”
Another simply shared: “She’s so perfect.” (sic)
While Perry’s career largely took off during the late noughties, she has remained in the public eye, making a recent return to the global stage this year.
Her personal life has also continued to make headlines though. During the summer, it was reported the singer was investigated by the Spanish government following an “unauthorised” music video filmed in S’Espalmador – a protected area of natural beauty.
The Lifetimes video saw Perry boarding a ferry wearing a t-shirt reading “Eurotrash” on the Spanish island where she danced around in a leopard print bikini before heading to a club.
The video – which is said to have been filmed without authorisation – was been met with backlash, with a press release issued by the Government of the Balearic Islands stating the production company had not sought permission to film the video.
Katy Perry’s team was forced to hit back against ‘environmental damage’ claims over her music video earlier this year
YouTube
A few days after the reports, the label stated that a local production company “assured us that all necessary permits for the video were secured”.
More recently, Perry confirmed UK dates for her Lifetimes tour, cementing her return to music.
She announced just last month she’d be performing in various UK cities next October.
