Within the framework of the Tribeca Film Festival — one of New York’s most prestigious film festivals, founded by Robert De Niro — singer Katy Perry presented her new concert film Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris. Journalist and communicator Olga Samofalova attended the premiere and spoke with Katy Perry exclusively for vogue.ua
The film is a cinematic adaptation of the record-breaking world tour, The Lifetimes Tour. The movie was filmed during two Parisian shows in November 2025, in front of an audience of nearly 40,000. According to director Paul Dugdale, it’s not just a concert recording but a complete immersion into the artist’s world: 60 cameras move above and around the stage, backstage, and throughout the arena, allowing the viewer to virtually step inside the show.
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The premiere took place in one of New York’s most renowned cinemas in the financial district, overlooking the Hudson River — the very venue that hosts the most high-profile Tribeca Film Festival screenings annually. Incidentally, this year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary since its inception. Even before the screening began, fans gathered outside, chanting the singer’s name incessantly. Inside, the atmosphere felt more like a fashion show than a film premiere: berets, sequins, rhinestones, and dozens of outfits inspired by different stages of Katy Perry’s career created a festive mood for her dedicated KatyCats.
On the red carpet, the singer appeared in a white Lanvin dress. Beside her was Justin Trudeau, for whom this appearance marked his first public outing with Perry. The former Prime Minister of Canada opted for a classic black suit with a white shirt.
For me — someone who is not part of the KatyCats army and only has a few songs in my playlist — this evening was an attempt to understand the phenomenon of the artist and her most devoted fan base.
The answer came at the beginning of the screening.
When “Chained to the Rhythm” played, the entire hall stood up. Hundreds of people sang along, and Perry immediately joined them. At that moment, it became clear: this wasn’t just a concert or a film screening — it was a living community where the audience were not observers but participants in the event.
However, one of the evening’s most memorable moments happened unexpectedly. During the song “Crush,” the projector suddenly stopped, and the audience groaned in disappointment. Perry didn’t let this pause disrupt the show — she instantly seized the moment, stood up, and began singing live, drawing the audience into it immediately. Within seconds, the space between the stage and the audience vanished: she moved among the rows, the public sang with her, and her ballet dancers improvisationally mirrored the energy, transforming a technical glitch into a live performance. When the screening resumed, Perry just smiled and quipped, “What the f***?”.
The film showcases not only the grandeur of the show but also Perry’s deep involvement in the creative process. As director Paul Dugdale noted, she participated in everything — from the concept to the final edit.
In an exclusive comment to Vogue, Perry spoke about the most challenging period of the tour: “Fortunately, we filmed the movie at a time when I was already ready — closer to the end of the tour. The filming process itself wasn’t difficult. It took me time to gain the confidence needed for this project. Life happens both on and off stage, so the question always arises: what do you bring to the stage? What emotions from your life can you transform into the energy of the show? I take my emotions — good, bad, or anywhere in between — and turn them into fuel.”
After the screening, the singer shared that all great concepts begin with simple sketches. “For instance, I drew the stage for the tour on a cocktail napkin in Brazil — and a huge show grew from that.”
When asked what motivates her today, the singer stated that she is deeply in love, calling Justin Trudeau “the love of her life”: “I’ve always reached for the stars, but now I have an anchor that makes me whole. The butterfly that accompanied me all this time was a symbol of transformation — and it’s still ongoing.”
She also emphasized that this tour was her most successful in life, not in terms of statistics, but because of the profound emotional experience that accompanied each show.
And even for those who know Katy Perry only from scandalous headlines, after watching this film, another truth becomes evident: she is an artist of immense scale, discipline, and inner strength. This film is worth watching not just for the music or the spectacular production, but for the love of life, creative energy, and the motivation not to give up, which is palpable in every frame.
The film will be released worldwide at the end of this summer.