Katy Perry takes aim at critics who called her a ‘flop’ after latest albums

Katy Perry has hit back at critics' comments about her last album while performing on stage in Las Vegas.

The 'One That Got Away' singer's last two album releases were Witness (2017) and Smile (2020), although sadly her new music didn't wow some critics.

Particularly when compared to hits by Perry such as Teenage Dream and One of the Boys, some critics turned around and branded Witness and Smile 'flops'.

However, the 39-year-old has since clapped back. Prepare to wish you'd been there live:

While Teenage Dream sold over 12 million copies worldwide, Smile only sold just over 60,000, according to Best Selling Albums.

Witness did a bit better, selling over half a million copies worldwide, however, neither albums went down too well with critics.

And being called 'a flop' had an effect on Perry's mental health, the singer telling Channel Seven's The Morning Show in 2020 she 'became very upset and clinically depressed' after Witness was released.

"I became very insecure and had to go on a journey, both emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically to understand why I relied so much on validation," she said.

Getty Images/ Chris Jackson

However, now Perry's back up and fighting and taking no prisoners, hitting out at the critics during the last night of her Las Vegas residency.

In a video shared to X - formerly known as Twitter - by Katy Perry Charts, the singer can be seen on stage performing 'Not the End of the World' at The Theatre of Resorts World Las Vegas.

During her performance, Perry adds: "I’d like to see you try… Call it a flop one more time!"

It's not the first time Perry has referenced her last two albums during her residency either.

X/ @perry_charts

She previously teased a sixth album at the residency, saying: "Now if you can’t love me at my Witness or Smile era, then you can’t love me at my KP6 era!"

And fans are loving her clap backs, flooding to social media in praise of the singer's most recent performance.

One user said: "She’s the queen of pop no shade yall not touching her discography."

"I'm loving it," another added.

Perry reflected on her Las Vegas residency coming to an end in an interview with Out.

She said: "Closing a chapter on PLAY allows me to start a new chapter. I'm so excited for the potential of my story to continue."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.

Topics: Katy Perry, Celebrity, Music, Social Media

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.