KATY HITS A SOUR NOTE

From the flop of her latest album to being mocked for her space trip, Katy Perry is no longer bringing the fireworks

- ALULUTHO GUZANA

THERE was a time when she had fans Chained to the Rhythm — from her smash-hit albums to her provocative stage routines and her fun persona, everything Katy Perry did was a Roar-ing success.

Almost 20 years on from her electrifying debut, the singer is still getting the world talking — but not for the reasons she hoped.

The reaction to her long-awaited album, 143, was more of a whimper than a roar and her effort to ditch her bubblegum pop image backfired badly.

"A slap in the face for women," was how one critic described Katy's attempt to rebrand herself as a feminist crusader.

On top of this, her Lifetimes tour is being mocked for its “cringeworthy” choreography and she’s being accused of brazenly stealing dance moves from superstar peers like Beyoncé, Pink and Sabrina Carpenter.

Even her bid to make history as the first person to sing in space as a member of the all-women Blue Origin mission hit a flat note.

For fans it’s been almost too painful to watch. When she was a 20-something newcomer she looked totally at home in her risqué outfits as she belted out tunes like I Kissed a Girl - but now at age 40 it all looks a bit desperate.

"She's become the poster child for why some celebrities should disappear," reputation specialist Eric Schiffer says.

If Katy was his client he'd advise her to step away for a year or so to regroup and figure out how to revamp her brand so it's age-appropriate and authentic.

“Katy Perry should vanish from the public eye before she becomes a full-time meme,” he warns.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

In February last year, Katy announced the 22nd season of the hit talent series American Idol would be her last.