Photo Credit: Getty Images
Katy Perry's "Lifetimes Tour" took an unexpected turn on May 17 when a near-wardrobe malfunction interrupted her high-energy performance in Las Vegas. The 40-year-old pop icon was mid-performance of her 2012 anthem "Part of Me" when the strap of her glittering bra top gave way, threatening to expose her on stage.
As the mic pack tugged at the delicate rhinestone bra, Perry abruptly stopped and caught it just in time. "Oh s–t, my bra is gonna come off," she announced into her mic, visibly startled. Without missing a beat, she called her assistant onstage: "Put my bra back on, Patrick," she joked, before quipping to fans, "Sorry, guys, you didn't pay that much."
Clips of the incident quickly went viral on TikTok, with fans flooding the comment section with laughter and admiration. "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen," one wrote, while another added, "She handled that like a pro." The mishap ended with Perry delivering a playful death drop, seamlessly returning to the show's rhythm.
While the moment displayed Perry's onstage composure, it added to the mounting tension surrounding her tour. Just ten days earlier, on May 7, Perry launched the U.S. leg of her "Lifetimes Tour" following her return from Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space mission—an event that's since colored public opinion and sparked criticism of her stage production choices. Some detractors accused her of tailoring the tour's visuals, from costumes to props, to echo her controversial space trip.
But the critiques run deeper than fashion. According to NewsNation, Perry's previous three-year residency at Resorts World Las Vegas allegedly ended in financial disappointment. "The residency was a disaster for Resorts World, a complete failure," an insider revealed. "She was earning between $750,000 and $900,000 a show, but the entire run underperformed." The casino reportedly incurred losses, prompting suggestions Perry is no longer welcome in the Vegas circuit.
Despite the backlash, Perry has leaned into the support of her fanbase. A fan-led project recently saw a digital billboard in Times Square proclaim, "Know that you are safe, seen and celebrated." In response, Perry posted, "What's real is seeing your faces every night... reading your notes, feeling your warmth."
As the tour continues, Perry's mix of resilience, humor, and vulnerability keeps her audience captivated—wardrobe glitches and all. Whether the "Lifetimes Tour" can outshine its early turbulence remains to be seen, but for now, Perry seems intent on powering through, one sequined step at a time.
