Katy Perry’s return to the stage for ITV’s Capital Jingle Bell Ball sparks a mixed reaction, with some fans slamming her vocals, while others defend her live performance.
Katy Perry’s performance at the ITV Capital Jingle Bell Ball sparked a wave of controversy and criticism from viewers after her opening set. The 40-year-old singer, who made a long-awaited comeback to the global stage this year, took centre stage at the annual festive event at London’s O2 Arena, but her vocals failed to impress many watching from home.
The star-studded event featured a wide array of performances from artists like Coldplay, KSI, DJ Joel Corry, and Perrie Edwards. However, it was Perry’s return to the spotlight that quickly ignited debate on social media platforms, where viewers were quick to express their opinions. Perry performed several of her early 2010s hits, including “California Gurls” and “Roar,” alongside festive tracks like “Cozy Little Christmas.”
While the audience in the arena appeared to enjoy the performance, many social media users were less forgiving. Some fans accused the pop star of not delivering vocally, with one Instagram user writing, “She should retire,” while others echoed the sentiment with comments like, “Weak vocals huh” and “Fun popstar but sounds terrible.” On X (formerly Twitter), a user bluntly stated, “Katy Perry needs to stop trying to make Katy Perry happen again. Leave it in the 2010s, girl.”
The criticism didn’t end there, as another person suggested Perry should have mimed, saying, “Katy, there’s no shame in miming. Yours sincerely, My Ears. #JingleBellBall.”
However, not all viewers were critical. Several fans came to Perry’s defence, acknowledging the difficulty of singing and dancing live. One supporter tweeted, “Wow @katyperry you were amazing and I’ve got respect for you because you didn’t mime like some artists do. It’s not easy to sing and dance live, so well done girl xx #CapitalJBB #JBB.” Another fan simply praised her performance, writing, “She’s so perfect.”
Perry’s appearance at the Jingle Bell Ball was part of her return to the public eye after a prolonged hiatus, with her career mostly taking off in the late 2000s. Despite the vocal criticism, her name continues to dominate headlines, especially with her recent personal controversies. In the summer, Perry faced legal scrutiny in Spain over an “unauthorised” music video filmed on the protected island of S’Espalmador. The video, for her song “Lifetimes,” drew backlash as the singer was filmed without permission in the area, prompting an investigation by the Spanish government.
While the performance at the Jingle Bell Ball may have divided opinion, it’s clear that Katy Perry remains a polarising figure in pop culture. Whether it’s for her music, her public persona, or her personal life, Perry continues to capture the public’s attention – for better or worse.
