AI-generated images of Katy Perry on the 2025 Met Gala red carpet went viral for the second year in a row and left fans stumped over her attendance
The singer shared the images on Instagram and explained that she was not able to attend the biggest night in fashion due to an upcoming performance on her Lifetimes Tour
In 2024, AI-generated images of Perry at the Met Gala even tricked her mom Mary
Katy Perry fans have been left stumped once again by viral AI-generated images of her at the 2025 Met Gala.
AI images of the “Woman’s World” singer, 40, on the red carpet for fashion’s biggest night have circulated online for the second year in a row — but unlike last year, her mom was not fooled by them! (Amid the 2024 Met Gala, Katy’s mom Mary Perry was tricked by similar AI-generated images that purportedly showed her daughter attending attend the event.)
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, May 6, Katy shared some of the photos that appeared to show her at the gala and explained her absence and how her mom was “safe from the bots” because they were together at the time of this year’s bash.
“Couldn’t make it to the MET, I’m on The Lifetimes Tour (see you in Houston tomorrow IRL‼️),” Katy wrote in the caption that accompanied the AI-generated photos. She continued, joking, “P.s. this year I was actually with my mom so she’s safe from the bots but I’m praying for the rest of y’all.”
In the photos, Katy’s outfit — which blended a traditional pinstriped suit with a futuristic black dress — perfectly matched the evening’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, while her hair was slicked back and her makeup was minimal with a heavy focus on a smoky eye.
Related: Met Gala 2025 Red Carpet Arrivals: See All the Looks (185+ Photos)
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Katy Perry attends the 2019 Met Gala
Katy caught wind of last year’s AI deepfake and posted it to Instagram, along with a text she got from her mom.
Mary wrote, “Ha Feather! Didn’t know you went to the Met. What a gorgeous gown. You look like the Rose Parade, you are your own float lol.” The screenshot showed Katy’s response which read, “lol mom the AI got you too, BEWARE!”
Jackson Lee/Getty
Katy Perry attends the 2018 Met Gala
2024’s theme was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and several images of Katy wearing different outfits circulated online.
The most viral image, which Mary fell for, appeared to show Katy wearing an ivory ball gown that was covered in three-dimensional flowers and finished with a trim of moss. In the images, the singer’s hair was styled in glamorous curls.
At the time, Katy revealed that she missed the gala as she was busy working in the recording studio.
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Katy Perry onstage on her Lifetimes Tour in April 2025
Related: 8 Shocking Rules You Didn’t Know Met Gala Guests Have to Follow
Katy kicked off her Lifetimes Tour with a Mexican leg, which began on April 23 with a performance in Mexico City. She wrapped the leg with an April 29 show in Monterrey.
The first U.S. leg of the tour begins with her May 7 performance in Houston. Katy will travel across the U.S. and take the show to Australia, Canada and Europe. She’ll wrap things up on December 7 with a show in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Although Katy is a fixture on the Met Gala red carpet, she hasn’t attended the event since 2022. That year, she joked she had been “pinned” into her glamorous gown during an interview with Vogue.
“Don’t ask me how I’m going to the restroom ever or anyone at the Met!” she joked at the time.
The singer was one of many famous faces to miss the 2023 Met Gala, which occurred days before she performed at the coronation of King Charles.
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