Under the auspices of the Tribeca Film Festival, one of New York’s most prestigious film events founded by Robert De Niro, singer Katy Perry unveiled 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 rendition of the record-breaking global tour, The Lifetimes Tour. It was captured during two Parisian shows in November 2025, before an audience of nearly 40,000. According to director Paul Dugdale, this is not merely a concert recording but a complete immersion into the artist’s world. Sixty cameras move above, around, behind the scenes, and throughout the arena, allowing the viewer to feel as if they are inside the show itself.
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The premiere took place in one of New York’s renowned cinemas in the financial district, overlooking the Hudson River – the very venue that hosts the most high-profile screenings of the Tribeca Film Festival annually. Incidentally, this year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary since its inception. Even before the screening commenced, fans gathered outside, chanting the singer’s name continuously. Inside, the atmosphere resembled a fashion show more than a film premiere, with berets, sequins, rhinestones, and dozens of outfits inspired by various stages of Katy Perry’s career creating a sense of grand celebration for her devoted KatyCats.
On the red carpet, the singer appeared in a white Lanvin dress. Beside her was Justin Trudeau, for whom this marked his first public appearance with Perry. The former Prime Minister of Canada opted for a classic black suit with a white shirt.
For me, someone who isn’t part of the KatyCats army and only has a few songs from her in my playlist, this evening was an attempt to comprehend the artist’s phenomenon and her most dedicated fanbase.
The answer came at the beginning of the screening.
When “Chained to the Rhythm” played, the entire audience 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 members weren’t observers but an integral part of the event.
However, one of the evening’s most striking moments occurred unexpectedly. During the song “Crush,” the projector suddenly stopped, and the audience groaned in disappointment. Perry did not let this pause derail the show; she instantly seized the moment, stood up, and began singing live, immediately drawing the audience into it. Within seconds, the space between the stage and the viewers vanished. She moved through the aisles, the crowd sang with her, and her ballet dancers spontaneously matched the energy, transforming a technical glitch into a live performance. When the screening resumed, Perry simply 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. I needed time to gain the confidence required 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 show’s energy? I take my emotions—good, bad, or anything in between—and turn them into fuel.”
After the screening, the singer shared that all great concepts begin with simple drafts. “For instance, I sketched the stage design for the tour on a cocktail napkin in Brazil—and from that, a huge show evolved.”
When asked what motivates her today, the singer noted that she is deeply in love, calling Justin Trudeau “the love of her life.” “I’ve always been drawn to the cosmos, but now I have an anchor that makes me whole. The butterfly that has 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 to date, 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 sensational headlines, it becomes evident after watching this film that she is an artist of great magnitude, discipline, and inner strength. This film is worth watching not just for the music or the spectacular staging, but for the love of life, creative energy, and motivation to persevere that is palpable in every frame.
The film will be released worldwide at the end of this summer.