Katy Perry Faces Backlash Over AI-Generated Visuals in Tour

The pop star’s Lifetimes world tour sparks criticism for its use of artificial intelligence in visual effects, fueling online debate about technology’s place in live performance and the evolving expectations of pop concerts.

Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Katy Perry’s return to the stage was supposed to mark a new era in her career. With the launch of her Lifetimes world tour, the pop icon promised a futuristic experience that would blend immersive visuals with hits from every phase of her discography. But after opening night in Mexico City, it wasn’t the music or choreography making headlines—it was the AI.

Specifically, Perry’s use of AI-generated backgrounds and visual effects drew a swift and divided reaction online. Fans and critics alike took to social media to mock what some called “low-budget sci-fi” backdrops, which included digitally rendered cityscapes, surreal environments, and a much-ridiculed sequence featuring Perry wielding a glowing plastic lightsaber. Memes flooded TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with hashtags like #AIPerry and #LifetimesLetdown trending globally within hours of the concert’s conclusion.

The backlash was compounded by a viral video showing Perry becoming emotional during a stripped-down performance of her 2010 ballad “Pearl.” As she fought back tears, many speculated the negative reaction to the AI elements had taken a toll. Though her team has not released an official statement, insiders suggested the singer was deeply invested in the visual design and had hoped it would be seen as forward-thinking, not gimmicky.

Part of the controversy stems from the fact that Perry has previously leaned into high production values and theatrical sets—her 2015 Super Bowl halftime show remains one of the most visually iconic performances of the decade. So when fans were met with what looked like stock animation and synthetic characters, many felt let down. “We were expecting Broadway, and we got Blender,” one fan posted on Reddit.

But the story is more complex than it first appears. The tour’s creative team has defended the use of AI, saying it allowed them to visualize concepts that would have been prohibitively expensive or logistically impossible to execute in traditional stagecraft. According to one designer who spoke anonymously, some visuals were created using generative models trained on abstract art and retro sci-fi cinema to match the album’s themes of memory, identity, and time travel.

That said, some industry observers argue that AI-driven visuals are best used to enhance—not dominate—a live performance. “When the tech overshadows the talent, audiences disconnect,” said Valerie Jimenez, a live music production analyst. “And in Katy Perry’s case, fans were there for her presence, her charisma—not an AI backdrop.”

The timing of the backlash also coincides with ongoing industry debates around generative AI’s impact on the creative workforce. Visual artists, stage designers, and animators have voiced concern that the entertainment industry’s rush to embrace AI risks sidelining human jobs. While Perry’s team insists that no artists were displaced during production, the optics of leaning so heavily on algorithm-generated visuals during a global tour have drawn criticism from those pushing for more transparent use of AI.

Perry’s use of AI also arrives after a challenging few years. Her 2023 album 143 received mixed reviews and underwhelmed commercially. That same year, she drew both fascination and criticism for her partnership with Blue Origin, during which she announced parts of the Lifetimes tour setlist while aboard a suborbital flight. The stunt was framed as an interstellar preview—but many fans found it disconnected from the grounded storytelling they craved.

Still, not all reception has been negative. Perry’s Australian fanbase remains enthusiastic, with 15 near sellouts scheduled across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. The Oceania leg begins June 4 and is seen as a make-or-break moment for the tour. Whether the AI visuals will be tweaked before then remains to be seen.

What’s clear is that Perry’s experiment has ignited a broader conversation. As AI continues to infiltrate live entertainment—from holograms to voice modulation—the line between artistry and automation is becoming increasingly blurry. For better or worse, Katy Perry is now at the center of that conversation.