The 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, an event meant to honor wounded veterans, turned into an unexpected spectacle when pop star Katy Perry took the stage for the opening ceremony.
She delivered an energetic performance, belting out her biggest hits, including Firework, Roar, and Dark Horse. While her vocals were expectedly strong, her outfit left audiences puzzled. Dressed in an unusual sporty bondage-inspired ensemble, she had many scratching their heads over her fashion choice. Despite being neighbors with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Montecito, Katy Perry made it abundantly clear that she wasn’t there to mingle with them.
She took to Instagram, where she boasts 204 million followers, and X, with another 104 million, but made no mention of the ex-royal couple—no photos, no shout-outs, not even a casual acknowledgment. Her energy was pure, unbothered pop star at its finest.
Katy Perry’s fashion choices for the event became a hot topic of discussion. She paired gray gym shorts with a corset, topping off the look with futuristic white thigh-high boots. The outfit had strong “quarter Stormtrooper meets budget superhero” vibes, leaving many wondering what exactly she was going for. The stark contrast between this performance and her appearance at King Charles’s coronation was impossible to ignore. At the coronation, she exuded elegance and sophistication, looking polished and expensive. It was later revealed that she even paid for all her expenses for the event, turning down the palace’s free makeup services. Fast forward to Invictus, and it seemed like she had pulled a leftover outfit from a scrapped world tour after her last album underperformed.
The games themselves have not been without controversy. With the Invictus CEO resigning and more emphasis seemingly placed on securing big-name performers rather than highlighting the athletes, many have begun questioning the event’s priorities. Originally designed to honor veterans, the games are starting to resemble a Sussex PR tour more than anything else. Adding to the tension, Katy Perry has had her own issues with the veteran community. The family of 84-year-old disabled veteran Carl Westcott, who has been embroiled in a legal battle with Perry over her purchase of his Montecito mansion, even pleaded with Prince Harry to exclude her from the event. But their concerns went unheard, raising the question—why ignore veterans at a veteran-focused event?
What made things even more intriguing was Katy Perry’s strategic approach to the event. Unlike many celebrities, she avoided participating in the Sussexes’ favorite game—the carefully curated photo op. She steered clear of staged pictures with Harry and Meghan and left her Instagram comments wide open, fully aware that it would invite speculation and discussion. The internet quickly picked up on her move, with many praising it as a masterclass in strategic distancing. Whether deliberate or not, Perry joined the growing list of celebrities who have chosen to keep their distance from the Sussex media whirlwind.
At its core, the Invictus Games are meant to celebrate the courage and sacrifice of those who have served. However, the focus appears to be shifting toward A-list guests, fading pop stars, and Sussex self-promotion. While Katy Perry’s performance may not have been groundbreaking, she did manage to achieve one thing—keeping Harry and Meghan out of her spotlight. For that, she earned a well-played moment in the eyes of many.
