Katy Perry Lights Up AFL Grand Final with Electrifying Performance

Katy Perry captivated the audience at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the AFL Grand Final with a high-energy performance that left spectators in awe. The American pop icon, widely recognized for her dynamic stage presence, delivered a 15-minute pre-game set that included several of her chart-topping hits.

The AFL Grand Final, one of Australia’s most watched sporting events, reportedly amassed an audience of approximately 100,000 within the MCG. Perry’s performance was the subject of widespread media attention leading up to the event, with speculation about her song choices and potential duets. Ultimately, her show featured a medley of nine songs, treating fans to renditions of ‘Roar,’ ‘Dark Horse,’ ‘California Gurls,’ and ‘Teenage Dream.’

While some media reports estimated that Perry was paid $5 million for her appearance, sources have indicated that these figures are exaggerated. Notably, Robbie Williams reportedly received $1 million for his performance at a previous AFL Grand Final.

To the delight of the audience, Australian singer Tina Arena joined Perry on stage to perform a remix of Arena’s hit ‘Chains’ as well as Perry’s ‘I Kissed a Girl.’ The performance also included a distinct mix of digital effects and thematic elements from Perry’s recent projects, creating a retro-futuristic atmosphere that blended visuals from different eras.

In addition to Perry, the pre-game entertainment featured other Australian talents. Christine Anu and her daughter, Zipporah Corser-Anu, performed ‘My Island Home,’ incorporating a traditional Torres Strait Island chant in their segment. Cody Simpson, a former swimmer and current musician, sang the national anthem, ‘Advance Australia Fair.’

Despite the glitzy performance, Perry’s set faced controversy regarding her collaboration with Dr. Luke, a producer who has denied longstanding allegations of misconduct. Nonetheless, the live audience responded warmly to her performance, closing with her hit ‘Firework,’ which was accompanied by a spectacular display of actual fireworks.

Perry voiced her gratitude to the Australian audience, stating, “AFL thank you so much for having me today, may God bless you, I’m Katy Perry.” Looking ahead, she announced her return to Australia in 2025 as part of her ‘Lifetimes’ world tour.