On February 1st, 2015, the 49th annual Super Bowl was held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. People from all across the country gathered to watch the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks compete for the win in America’s favorite game. However, the competition for the Super Bowl championship title was not the only exciting part of this national event. Many people across America were eager to see famous American pop singer and songwriter, Katy Perry, perform in this year’s halftime show. Katy Perry’s millions of fans were pleased that she was chosen to perform at this year’s event as she always brings an entertaining and unique vibe to her performances. For those that were already Perry fans, this was a very exciting performance, but for viewers who were just tuning into the showed had mixed reactions.

Perry has won many acclaimed awards, and her hit song “Roar” won “Favorite Song” and “Favorite Music Video” at the 2015 People’s Choice Awards. Unlike any previous Super Bowl halftime performer, Perry entered the performance an unforgettable prop. She sang perched on top of of a giant mechanical gold animal resembling a tiger singing ‘Roar.’ This song came to life on stage, as this prop enhanced Katy’s lyrics, “I’ve got the eye of the tiger… and you’re gonna hear me roar.” In response to Perry’s interesting props, Ryan Fischer ’18 commented, “I really enjoyed seeing how Katy Perry used special effects and props.”

Not only did Perry sing some of her most recent hits, but she also managed to incorporate some of her older songs into her performance. Fans were excited to hear her major hits from past years, such as “Teenage Dream” and “California Girls,” during which she turned the football field into a fun beach scene with shark costumes and beach balls galore. Perry ended the show with the performance of her hit song from 2010, “Firework.” She even made for a dramatic conclusion to her performance, as she was lifted into the air by a stand from which fireworks were released.

Lenny Kravitz, famous rock singer and songwriter who started his career in 1989, even made a guest appearance to sing a duet with Perry on her 2008 hit, “I Kissed a Girl.” Missy Elliott, a 43 year-old American female rap artist, made a surprise appearance to perform three of her own songs with Perry. However, there was some controversy about Elliott’s performance, as some people did not even know who she was nor did not think that another guest performer was needed. Andrew Knotts ’18 said, “I didn’t really think Missy’s performance was necessary, and Perry should have just carried out the rest of the performance on her own.” Such as in Perry’s performance, the guest stars have tended to be from different eras as proven by previous Super Bowl halftime show performances. Some people, especially older audiences, particularly from the rock era of the 1970’s, enjoyed these guest appearances, but younger audiences often do not know who the performers are. Having two generations of artists does have the advantage of catering to multiple viewer age groups, though.

Despite controversy, Perry’s Super Bowl halftime show performance was generally very well received by viewers across the country, but it was also enjoyed by some in the WFS community. Margaret Anne Butterfield, head of the music department, remarked, “I thought the performance was very visually pleasing, and I loved the props used. I was very musically pleased, as well.” Katy Perry’s performance was definitely exciting and unique to many people, and the nation can only wait to see what next year’s Super Bowl halftime show performance will bring.