Katy Perry has ignited a firestorm of criticism with her latest tour costume—a gleaming, robotic gold ensemble that bears a striking resemblance to Star War’s C3PO. The 40-year-old pop star debuted the metallic creation just days after her much-publicized April 14 Blue Origin space flight, creating what critics call a “tone-deaf” connection between her brief journey to space and her stage persona.
The controversial costume, designed by three-time Emmy-winner Zaldy Goco according to tour promotional materials, features dozens of articulated metal panels, exposed wiring, and mechanical joints that transform Perry into a human-robot hybrid. Multiple concert videos shared on social platforms show Perry struggling with limited mobility during performances, particularly during dance-heavy numbers like “Dark Horse.”
Costume Details and Performance Impact
The gold ensemble serves as a centerpiece for Perry’s Lifetimes Tour narrative, which tour materials describe as featuring the singer as a “half-human, half-robot character.” Concert footage reveals the costume includes a mechanized helmet component and segmented body pieces that reflect stage lighting in a dramatic gold shimmer, creating an unmistakable visual parallel to the famous Star Wars droid.
The costume’s restrictive nature has affected Perry’s performances. Fan videos from Detroit and Chicago shows captured Perry moving stiffly across the stage, with backup dancers compensating for her limited range of motion. One viral clip from last week’s performance shows Perry unable to bend properly during her hit “Roar,” leading to an awkward moment where dancers had to modify their choreography mid-performance.
The Space Flight Connection
The controversy stems directly from the timing. Perry participated in Blue Origin‘s New Shepard NS-31 mission on April 14, experiencing approximately 3-4 minutes of weightlessness during the 11-minute suborbital flight. According to Blue Origin’s published pricing, such experiences require a $150,000 deposit, with full seat prices estimated between $250,000-$475,000.
Perry unveiled the C3PO-inspired costume at her first performance following the space flight, creating an explicit connection between the two events. Her Stratospheric Setlist Reveal shows how pop’s new promotional frontier is increasingly blending personal milestones with stage spectacle. In pre-tour interviews with Billboard, Perry mentioned her Lifetimes Tour concept was developed “months before” her space opportunity arose, but the proximity of the events has fueled criticism that she’s over-emphasizing her brief space experience.
Designer and Creative Intent
Zaldy Goco, the costume designer, has not commented specifically on the controversy, but his previous work with Perry has often featured elaborate theatrical elements. The costume reportedly contains over 40 individual metal pieces, according to tour production notes, and represents the most complex outfit in Perry’s rotating tour wardrobe.
Perry’s team has defended the costume as part of the tour’s pre-planned futuristic aesthetic, rather than a response to her space flight. “The Lifetimes Tour concepts and costumes were finalized well before the Blue Origin opportunity came up,” an unnamed production representative told Entertainment Weekly, though declining to address the specific timing of the gold robot design.
Fan Reactions at Concerts
Despite online criticism, in-person fan reactions have been mixed. According to Live Nation’s ticket sales data, Perry’s upcoming tour dates continue to sell well. Concert footage shows some fans embracing the space theme by wearing their metallic-inspired outfits to shows, while others have expressed disappointment on fan forums about Perry’s limited performance capabilities while wearing the restrictive costume.
As Perry continues her tour, the gold costume remains a focal point of conversation, not just for its eye-catching appearance, but for what many perceive as an ill-timed connection between celebrity space tourism and performance art. Whether deliberate marketing strategy or unfortunate coincidence, the C3PO-inspired creation has ensured that Perry’s brief journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere will follow her throughout her earthbound tour.
