Katy Perry makes a major statement at the Brit Awards

Susannah Guthrie
Feb 23, 2017, updated Feb 23, 2017

Katy Perry's plan to buy an abandoned Los Angeles convent were foiled by a rival bidder, a court has ruled. Photo: Getty

Katy Perry didn’t hold back during her performance at the 2017 Brit Awards, taking to the stage with two giant skeleton puppets representing US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The American pop star was one of several performers at the London ceremony, celebrating excellence in pop music in both Britain and around the world on Wednesday night (UK time).

Perry performed her new single Chained to the Rhythm – about our blind, pack mentality in the age of technology – in a sea of dancers dressed as mini White Houses.

Perry was joined on stage by rapper Skip Marley, grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, and two massive puppets clothed in the same outfits Mr Trump and Mrs May wore to their meeting at the White House in January.

Katy Perry and Skip Marley perform with Trump and May puppets. Photo: Getty

The British PM was widely criticised in her home country for being the first world leader to meet with Mr Trump following his election and inviting him on a state visit to Britain.

The puppets danced around the stage as Perry sang lyrics like, “so comfortable we’re living in a bubble, so comfortable we cannot see the trouble”.

The 32-year-old singer was a vocal supporter of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton throughout the US election.

Keen-eyed viewers were left concerned and amused during Perry’s performance when they spotted one of her dancing houses topple into the crowd.

The dancer, whose view was clearly obscured by the house costume, walked determinedly to the edge of the stage but failed to stop before plunging into the audience.

This is the second time one of Perry’s dancers has created a stir on social media — during her 2015 Super Bowl Halftime show, a dancer dressed as a shark won hearts for being completely out of time.

I'm crying the House fell off the stage 😂 🏠 #BRITs2017 #KatyPerryBRITS pic.twitter.com/LlknbQIbsi

— Ali (@RoyMustang786) February 22, 2017

George Michael remembered

While Perry’s performance was memorable, it was the late George Michael whose presence was most keenly felt on the night.

The music industry is still reeling from Michael’s shock death of heart failure on Christmas Day last year.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin divided opinion with his rendition of Michael’s 1986 song A Different Corner in front of a video montage of the late singer.

Mid-way through the performance, a video recording of Michael performing the song began to play and Martin continued to sing in unison.

While the in-house audience at the ceremony gave Martin a standing ovation, those watching at home were less forgiving.

“Brilliant what a way to remember George Michael. Get Chris Martin to murder one of his songs,” one Twitter user posted.

“Chris Martin?!? Was that the best they could come up with to sing a tribute for George Michael?!?” another wrote.

Watch Chris Martin’s tribute performance

Michael’s former Wham! bandmate, Andrew Ridgeley, delivered an In Memoriam speech with the duo’s backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie, all three of them growing emotional as they remembered a “beloved friend”.

“A supernova in a firmament of shining stars had been extinguished, and it felt like the sky had fallen in,” Ridgeley said.

“It started out ordinarily enough: In 1975, we were two boys that happened to share a mutual sense of humour, a love of life-affirming music, the records and artists it gave birth to, and a shared sense that we understood it.”

From left: Pepsi DeMacque, Andrew Ridgeley and Shirlie Holliman. Photo: Getty

Jumpsuits galore on the red carpet

Despite missing some big names, the Brit Awards red carpet lived up to its rock-and-roll reputation.

The overwhelming trend for female attendees was the difficult-to-pull-off jumpsuit, with Russian model Natalia Vodianova opting for a frothy pink version, while Swedish pop star Zara Larsson chose an edgier black option with baggy pants.

Grace Chatto of the band Clean Bandit. Photo: Getty

The X-Factor UK winner Louise Johnson. Photo: Getty

Russian model Vodianova. Photo: Getty

Swedish singer Zara Larsson. Photo: Getty

Meanwhile, Katy Perry rocked a sparkly dress and jacket, David Beckham’s son Brooklyn wore an oversize jacket, Ellie Goulding flashed some skin and Nicole Scherzinger made an entrance in thigh-high red boots.