Katy Perry Brushes Off Midair Prop Scare During San Francisco Show

Image via A.PAES / Shutterstock

Katy Perry experienced a brief but alarming prop malfunction during her concert in San Francisco on Friday night, but the seasoned performer didn’t miss a beat.

While performing her hit single "Roar" at the Chase Center as part of her Lifetimes Tour, Perry was suspended midair on a mechanical butterfly prop when the device appeared to suddenly dip several feet. The moment was captured on fan videos circulating on social media, showing the pop star visibly startled as she began to sing the chorus.

Despite the jolt, Perry quickly recovered and continued with the performance, delivering the line, “and you’re gonna hear me roar” with full power as the butterfly continued to soar across the arena.

@la.comadre.roo_bee

As Kween Katy said “Not Today Satan” #KatyPerry #LifetimeTour #SanFrancisco #chasecenter #TheLifeTimeTour #Roar #fyp #foryourpage

As the song ended and the lights dimmed, she cheekily addressed the moment with a perfectly timed “Not today, Satan.”

The Lifetimes Tour, which kicked off in April, features multiple aerial elements, a growing trend among major pop productions. Perry, 40, is known for her theatrical visuals and bold stagecraft, and she's no stranger to spectacle. Just last month, Beyoncé also encountered a frightening moment during an aerial lift malfunction on the opening night of her Cowboy Carter tour.

Beyond her music career, Perry recently made headlines by participating in Blue Origin’s spaceflight alongside journalist Gayle King and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen. Her resume also includes seven studio albums and a cultural milestone: 2010’s Teenage Dream, which produced five Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, tying Michael Jackson’s Bad for the most chart-toppers from a single album.

Even when gravity doesn’t cooperate, Katy Perry knows how to keep the show going.