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Katy Perry celebrated a major milestone on August 11, performing to a sold-out crowd of 19,500 at Madison Square Garden in New York City during her Lifetimes Tour. Addressing critics who doubted her, the 40-year-old pop star told fans, "They said, 'No way! MSG, it couldn't be done.' And I was scared too."
Perry joked that her fear wasn't just about performing for a sold-out crowd. "I'm talking about the fact that I ate a hot dog from the corner! I rolled the dice yesterday, and I loved it. Give me a jumbo with the onions," she said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The singer also shared her love for New York City, describing it as both "special" and "a beautiful hot mess." Reflecting on her experience, she said, "I rolled into New York, and it smelled like New York City. And you know what I'm talking about. It was late at night. We got in from Philly, and there were drunk people vomiting on the same corner as people making out. That was New York City! And I loved it."
Perry revealed a deeper connection to the city she has visited many times before. "You know why? Because New York City represents life — the highs, the lows, the in-betweens, everything that is messy, everything that is beautiful, and it sure as hell is not perfect 'cause perfection is an illusion," she explained. "And I understood it because I resonate with it so much, because one of my favourite words is authenticity. And you know what New York is? Authentic!"
Throughout her tour, Perry has been upfront about dealing with criticism. She dismissed rumours about being one of the most hated people online and talked about the backlash after her Blue Origin space flight in April. She explained that she handles negativity with grace, recognizing that a lot of people are hurting and that the internet often becomes a place where those frustrations spill out.
Despite the scrutiny, Perry expressed gratitude to her fans, thanking them for their ongoing support, especially during personal challenges.
Closing on a reflective note, Perry talked about her journey in life and music, sharing that although she sometimes falls, she always finds a way to get back up, keep going, and find new levels of growth along the way.
