Katy Perry: Mixed reactions in Australia to global US popstar announced as headline act for AFL Grand Final
Now that US popstar Katy Perry has been confirmed as this year’s AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment, the reactions from the Australian public are flooding in and not everyone is stoked.
On Thursday, the AFL officially revealed Perry as the headlining performer following days of rumours she would make her way Down Under for the performance at the MCG on September 28.
Following the announcement of the major news, opinions from footy and pop fans came rolling in on social media.
For the most part, people were keen to see a global superstar put on a show ahead of the huge sporting event but there were also the nay-sayers.
“Queen of halftime,” one X user said.
Another said: “Basically our superbowl.”
“Great choice!! The show will be FANTASTIC. Can’t wait!!” a third said.
![Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert on May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472618/67770297cadaee33b32ef9cb243cc01f3838ecac.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Another fan said: “It’s @katyperry’s world and we’re lucky to be living in it ❤️🔥 she was amazing at the women’s cricket, can’t wait for her to be back at the ‘G!
Some people thought an Australian artist should have been picked instead.
“AFL Grand final should be about giving Australian bands some exposure. Let @BIRDSOFTOKYO do it again they were awesome when they did it,” one said on X.
Another said: “Nice to see an Australian artist performing on the big day.”
“Perfect toilet break,” a third said.
Another said: “Haha rather watch the 2018 grand final replay. Couldn’t think of anything worse than watching Katy Perry pre grand final.”
“The AFL continuing their long-standing practice of hiring foreign performers a decade or two after they were popular,” someone else chimed in.
![Katy Perry for the release of her new song Woman’s World.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472618/eb709439c42b58a16e7c246f134b660466c11691-4x3-x0y53w686h514.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
While some people weren’t a fan of Perry’s songs, they believed she could pull off rocking out to the huge crowd of 100,000.
“Not a fan of her music in general but saw her live at the 2015 Super Bowl and she killed it. Not everyone works for a stadium show but she absolutely does,” one person said on X.
The 39-year-old mother-of-one expressed her excitement about the gig at the MCG.
“I’m so excited to be back in Australia and back at the mighty MCG to perform in front of 100,000 of the best and loudest fans in the world at this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final. See you in September Oi Oi Oi!” she said.
It will be the second time Perry will perform at the venue, after previously headlining the entertainment at the Women’s T20 World Cup in March 2020.
The California Gurls singer’s Aussie show comes after the announcement of the soon-to-be released sixth studio album, 143.
Perry has already dropped the album’s first single, Woman’s World, which has been branded a “catastrophic flop” by Rolling Stone.
UK performer Robbie Williams and US rock band Kiss led the pre-game entertainment at the past two grand finals.
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