Online Reporter
NEW YORK. − Katy Perry has spoken out after viral AI-generated images tricked social media users into believing she was at the Met Gala 2025 here on Monday night.
She was performing in Houston at the same time.
Despite being absent from Monday’s star-studded event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Roar singer was declared ‘best dressed’ after fake photos of her on the carpet began to circulate.
The realistic images showed Katy, 40, modeling a skintight black latex gown with a cut-out pinstripe blazer bodice on the museum’s iconic staircase.
The edgy getup looked incredible on the fake Katy Perry, who many on social media believed was actually the star.
Katy later cleared up the confusion though and revealed that she wasn’t able to attend this year’s festivities due to her tour commitments.
Taking to Instagram, she said: “Couldn’t make it to the MET, I’m on The Lifetimes Tour (see you in Houston).
“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.”
The viral post comes just weeks after her Blue Origin space trip – along with Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez – sparked incredible online backlash.
While many were bamboozled by the fake pictures, most devoted fans were quick to identify the images as being AI-generated.
One user on X, formerly Twitter, pointed out a ‘sloppy’ detail on Katy’s waist in one shot, which saw the dress become one with her skin, that proved the photos were fake.
Fans also noted that Katy was not on the Met Gala’s leaked guest list and that she most likely did not attend because she is preparing to start the North American leg of her Lifetimes Tour this week.
AI images of the artist also went viral online last year when she skipped the 2024 Met Gala.
At the time, fans created stunning fake photos of her at the annual invite-only soiree in a dramatic floral gown that quickly gained traction across X, Instagram and Reddit.
Katy took the AI images in stride, posting two of the fakes of ‘her’ on Instagram at the time, along with a text from her mom, who was one of the many who were fooled.
“Couldn’t make it to the MET, had to work,’ she said in the caption of the post at the time.
The text from her mom Mary read, “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.”
Mary’s text also included one of the faked photos, but Katy responded to the text, “lol mom the AI got you too, BEWARE!” − Mailonline
