Katy Perry gave fans a serious scare during her "Lifetimes Tour" performance in San Francisco when a flying stage prop suddenly malfunctioned mid-air, leaving the pop icon dangling above the crowd in a heart-stopping moment that’s now going viral.
The incident occurred on Friday, July 18, while the 40-year-old singer was performing her hit song “Roar” at the Chase Center.
Katy Perry, who was seated on a large butterfly prop suspended above the audience, was in the middle of the track when the prop unexpectedly tilted and slightly dropped, nearly causing her to fall from her seat.
Katy Perry Clings To Butterfly Prop After Terrifying Malfunction Mid-Air
@la.comadre.roo_bee As Kween Katy said “Not Today Satan” #KatyPerry #LifetimeTour #SanFrancisco #chasecenter #TheLifeTimeTour #Roar #fyp #foryourpage ♬ original sound - la.comadre.roo_bee
A clip of the frightening moment, now circulating widely on TikTok shows Perry suddenly slipping as the prop jolts beneath her. She stops singing mid-lyric and grabs onto the wings of the structure, visibly shaken as stunned concertgoers gasp from below.
Perry looks up at the rigging, then back down at the audience, momentarily frozen in fear. After a few seconds, she lifts one hand in the air to signal she’s okay and bravely resumes singing “Roar," earning a roar of her own from the crowd for her composure under pressure.
The viral TikTok video, posted by a fan, has already racked up thousands of views and sparked a wave of concerned and emotional reactions.
“We almost lost Katy tonight,” one fan commented.
“The way she stopped having fun immediately,” another wrote.
Others questioned the safety of elaborate stage stunts altogether. “They need to stop these gimmicks in shows now. It’s too dangerous.”
Beyoncé Faced Mid-Air Scare Weeks Before Katy Perry’s Prop Malfunction
Beyoncé in Houston after her flying car mishap where it was tilting to the side and had to be lowered:
“If ever I fall I know y’all catch me” #COWBOYCARTERTour pic.twitter.com/HJP1ugaB1L
— COWBOY CARTER Tour (@CowboyCarterWT) June 29, 2025
Perry’s onstage mishap comes just weeks after Beyoncé experienced a similar scare during her "Cowboy Carter" tour stop in Houston.
On June 28, the 43-year-old “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer was performing “16 Carriages” while sitting on top of a red convertible prop suspended mid-air at NRG Stadium. The car suddenly tilted at a sharp angle, prompting Beyoncé to stop singing and calmly say “Stop, stop, stop” into her microphone.
Despite the alarming moment, Beyoncé remained composed, holding onto the rigging and reassuring fans by smiling and thanking them for their patience. She was eventually lowered safely to the stage.
Beyoncé’s Team Addresses Flying Car Mishap In Houston
Following the incident, Beyoncé's team released a statement to the Daily Mail.
"Tonight in Houston, at NRG Stadium, a technical mishap caused the flying car, a prop Beyoncé uses to circle the stadium and see her fans up close, to tilt," they said.
"She was quickly lowered, and no one was injured," the team added. "The show continued without incident."
Perry’s 'Lifetimes Tour' Continues To Make Headlines
Katy Perry's "Lifetimes Tour" has been a visual spectacle packed with theatrical stunts, larger-than-life props, and unforgettable performances, but it's also quickly becoming known for its string of technical mishaps and tense onstage moments.
Earlier this year, Perry had fans holding their breath during a show in Adelaide, where a mechanical failure left her suspended mid-air inside a massive metal sphere. What was meant to be a dramatic lift quickly turned frightening as the structure unexpectedly tilted, forcing Perry to grip the frame to avoid falling out. The moment sent the crowd into panic, with some screaming as the scene unfolded in real time.
According to TMZ, the music cut out and the lights dimmed as the crew scrambled to bring the pop star down safely.
Katy Perry Previously Got Stuck In An Inflatable Ball Mid-Air
Just weeks prior, Perry found herself stuck inside a giant inflatable ball mid-performance, again trapped in mid-air, as her team rushed to resolve the issue while the audience watched in confusion.
And during her Sydney stop, things got physical when an overzealous fan managed to grab Perry on stage before security intervened.
These back-to-back-to-back incidents involving two of the industry’s biggest superstars have fans wondering whether the risks of theatrical concert spectacles are beginning to outweigh the rewards.