With her concert film Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live From Paris officially hitting global theaters and IMAX screens, Katy Perry is opening up about the personal turbulence, emotional growth, and unexpected romance that defined her recent years.
Speaking with People, the 41-year-old pop icon looked back on the massive scope of her latest world tour, emphasizing the profound sense of connection that kept her grounded through every performance across five continents and 91 shows.
“It was just a reconnection with my fans and to sing along and to create that energy in that third space, which is so important to feel like you’re a part of something or a community; that’s what sports is, that’s what music is, that’s what church is,” Perry reflected. “There’s an incredible energy when everyone is singing the same song, when you’re standing next to a stranger, because a lot of people don’t even say hi to the person that’s making their coffee. But then you get into a musical space under the same roof and you’re sweating with a stranger and you’re singing together … There’s a unity that is really felt. That was really important [for] me to tap into that and to reconnect with fans, to make new fans.”
The journey was not without its critics. Perry addressed the online commentary and public fatigue that occasionally surfaced during her promotional cycles with characteristic directness.
“A lot of people said I couldn’t do it and gave me a lot of flak – and I did it. Some people are like, ‘Cringe, cringe, cringe.’ But I’m living my f—ing life to the fullest!”
That resilience was hard-won. Balancing a massive global production while navigating major life changes—including stepping away from touring to focus on her 6-year-old daughter Daisy—demanded an intentional reset. “This is my gift. And I learned how to step back into my purpose. It took a while – a few years – for me to get there. I had to put [touring] on pause. I was really looking after my daughter, there was the pandemic, and it’s not easy to do a world, a proper world tour.”
Perry noted that letting Daisy witness her work ethic was vital: “She’s seeing her mother in her purpose, and that’s good for her; she sees her mom being strong. But also, not every day was easy. Look, last year was really hard.”
The hardest moments coincided with her high-profile separation from long-term partner Orlando Bloom after nine years together. Perry recalled the deep isolation she felt while performing thousands of miles from home.
“It was probably the hardest time. My friends were all hanging out back home. I was crying and just feeling far away. But then my angels went to work. They really showed up.”
“I wouldn’t have stayed in something for nine years if there wasn’t really important things to learn. Each relationship is a teacher, right? I had to let it go so I could move forward. I always wanted this epic legendary love, and I was talking to my therapist about it: Everything in my life is epic, but this is kind of the missing puzzle piece – then it showed up.”
That missing piece arrived unexpectedly during her travels when she crossed paths with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Perry did not hold back when describing the depth of their relationship.
“I got the greatest gift from this tour: I got to meet the love of my life. I got to meet Justin on tour, and then things shifted. He knows the words, he’s supportive, and he’s in awe; it’s super healing. He is really heart-centered, and I think that we align in that way. I’m so grateful.”
For Perry, the romance feels like the answer to a long-held personal intention. “No. 10 just says, ‘True Love.’ And I think that’s where we’re at,” she shared regarding her personal manifestation journal. Looking ahead, her philosophy remains focused on raw experience: “[I’m] living my life, so I can write about my life.”
