Katy Perry’s Defiant VMAs Speech Calls for Detractors to Log Off

Katy Perry gave a defiant speech while accepting the MTV Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 VMAs, telling detractors to “touch grass” and that there are “no decade-long accidents.”

“I’m excited when I look around music today and I see all the amazing young artists who are operating with confidence, agency, vulnerability, and authenticity,” she said after her epic performance. “I’ve heard a lot of do this, don’t say that, wear less, wear more now, hey. Don’t cut your hair. One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is because I learned how to block out all of the noise, that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women. I just want to say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art. Turn off social media, safeguard your mental health. Pause. Touch grass. And do what you were born to do, just like I was born to do this.”

The impassioned speech came after a medley of some of her biggest hits alongside cuts from her upcoming album “143,” releasing Sept. 20. The performance, introduced by her husband Orlando Bloom, was a victory lap of sorts, with Perry floating above her backup dancers and bringing out Doechii as a special guest.

The speech itself began with Perry asking the audience if they could believe she did the performance “on my first day of my period.” She followed by referencing her legacy since she made her mainstream debut with 2008’s “One of the Boys,” and that “there are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist.”

After thanking her team, family, Katy Cats and LGBTQ+ community, she shouted out Bloom for “doing the dishes” — a nod to a viral line from a recent interview where she said she would reward a man with sexual favors for performing the everyday chore — as well as her daughter Daisy.

Of the songs performed, Perry ran through “E.T.,” “California Gurls” and “I Kissed a Girl,” as well as new songs “Lifetimes” and “I’m His, He’s Mine.” The latter, which features Doechii, will release on Friday.