Katy Perry’s QR code tattoo at the VMAs explained

Fans scrambled to scan the code tattooed on the singer’s lower back

Katy Perry donned some fresh ink on the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) red carpet on Wednesday (September 11).

Ahead of the ceremony at New York’s UBS Arena, the 39-year-old pop star posed for photographers in a ragged white bralette and matching skirt.

On her lower back, she showed off what appeared to be a temporary tattoo of a QR code.

Pictures of Perry’s new embellishment began circulating on X, with several people wondering if it actually led to anything.

While it was difficult to scan in certain photos, once read, it took users to the site for her forthcoming studio album 143.

Along with vinyl and other merch for the record, the website also directed users to pre-save the album, which is scheduled to drop on September 20.

“Katy Perry wearing a fake tattoo of a QR code that takes you to the 143 Pre-save site, shes so unserious,” one fan tweeted.

“Katy Perry’s tramp stamp QR code to her presave link is incredible,” a second marveled, with a third agreeing, adding that she is a “genius.”

“Makin’ that mark of the beast stylish,” another said.

Katy Perry performs at the 2024 MTV VMAs (AP)

Perry, who is hoping to make her highly anticipated comeback with 143, was among the performers to take the stage at the VMAs.

Before she was honored with the Vanguard Award, a merit given for lifetime achievement in the industry, she sang a medley of her biggest hits, including “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed A Girl,” and “California Gurls.”

Later that night, her performance of “Roar” at the 2013 VMAs won the category for the VMAs Most Iconic Performance.

In July, Perry’s “Woman’s World” – the lead single from 143 – faced heavy online mockery when a snippet leaked.

The track debuted at a painfully low No 64 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and No 43 on the UK music charts.

The Independent’s Adam White described its lyrics as a “faux-feminist pastiche” that sounded “alarmingly antiquated” in 2024.

The song’s accompanying music video was also the subject of mockery, with viewers baffled by its seemingly ironic scenes of Perry in a Rosie the Riveter-style outfit, Stars and Stripes bikini, and work overalls with her underwear showing.

The “Hot N Cold” singer additionally came under fire over her collaboration on the song with producer Dr Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald), who settled a nine-year legal battle with pop star Kesha last year after accusing her of defamation by claiming he drugged and raped her after a party in 2005. He has always vehemently denied the allegations.

During a recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Perry was asked about her decision to work with Dr Luke.

“Look, I understand that it started a lot of conversations, and he was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with,” she said. “but, the reality is it comes from me.

“The truth is I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis, and he was one of the people to help facilitate all that, one of the writers, one of the producers.”