Katy Perry’s QR Code Tattoo: What Does It Mean?
American singer and songwriter Katy Perry steps onto the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) black carpet with her husband, Orlando Bloom, and stuns the world by donning a QR code tattoo.
The VMAs, originally made to honor the best music videos in the industry, are home to some of pop culture’s most controversial and iconic moments.
From shocking performances like Madonna’s 1984 “Like a Virgin” to Kanye West boldly interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech in 2009—there is never a dull moment.
And now, Katy Perry is making (yet another) mark in VMAs history by sporting a not-so-subtle marketing piece on her own skin.
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Katy Perry wears attention-grabbing QR code ‘tattoo’ at the MTV VMAs
Perry made quite the impression at this year’s VMAs black carpet. Skin slick with body oil and clad in a white bralette and low-waist skirt ensemble by avant-garde label Who Decides Wear, she certainly had heads turning.
But her outfit was the least remarkable thing about her that night, especially when eyes were mainly drawn to the small, temporary QR code tattoo on her exposed lower back.
This 39-year-old pop star is no stranger to colorful costumes, elaborate stage productions, and high-energy choreography. She has built a career marked by many memorable moments, her new tattoo being only one of them.
Now, the question is: Does it work? Yes, though with some difficulty. In most pictures, the code follows the curve of her back, making it harder to scan right away.
However, once you do, it leads users to a page dedicated to the pre-save of her upcoming studio album. This intrigued many fans, who were highly anticipating the singer’s comeback.
With the aid of a QR code generator to create her eye-catching QR tattoo, Katy Perry makes a statement about keeping up with the digital age and still finding inventive ways to color the music scene with her own personal touch.
What we know about the album
Katy Perry’s sixth album, officially called 143 and set to drop on September 20, includes features from 21 Savage, JID, and Doechii.
On July 10, Perry posted the cover art by Bridgland on her social media. The art illustrates her wearing sheer material and floating in a vibrant vortex. The caption reads, “143. THE ALBUM. SEPTEMBER 20TH. PRE-ORDER NOW.”
The singer also appeared on Zane Lowe’s Apple Music radio show to rave about her new album, calling it "a dance party, and everyone’s invited.”
She goes on to explain that the number was “code for ‘I love you’” and that she feels this is going to be her “most personal” project yet.
This news follows an almost four-year gap between the release of her latest album, Smile, in August 2020 and this one.
In a statement, Perry says, “I set out to create a bold, exuberant, celebratory dance-pop album with the symbolic 143 numerical expression of love as a throughline message.”
The fans’ reactions and what they’re saying
In recent years, Katy Perry's attention was focused on her role as a judge on American Idol until she decided to retire from the reality show at the end of season 22.
Now, it seems she’s back to embracing the popstar life, dancing up a storm among fans online.
Perry released her lead single, WOMAN’S WORLD, on July 11 and the music video on July 12. Here’s the scoop: the feedback is mixed at best and scalding at worst so far.
Under the Womans World music video comment section, one commenter says, “I Kissed A Girl was literally more empowering than this trainwreck.”
While another attempts to defend it, sharing, “This feels like a parody of girl boss feminism.”
Although this may not be the best first impression of 143, it has certainly caught people’s interest, with the video already wracking up over 15 million views.
And what do people think of Perry’s tattoo? Many, especially on the social platform X, have praised her bold marketing choice.
Some users are exclaiming, “OH THE QR CODE THIS IS SUCH A SERVE,” and “Katy’s QR code tattoo is to pre-save 143!!! Her mind.”
Perry set out to provoke a reaction from people, which she definitely got.
Charting the Billboard with QR code marketing
The unassuming QR code is stepping into the visionary world of the music industry and gracing the marketing campaigns of new and seasoned artists alike.
With the imminence of Katy Perry’s album 143 and her clever QR code back tattoo that leads you to it, these little squares are proving they can adapt to any given situation if you have the creative mind for it.
Others in the business have already started adding them to their merchandise, album covers, concert tickets, and hidden within music videos to further heighten the fan experience, get more people talking, and promote songs.
Marketing has never been this dynamic, and we’re excited to see all the other ways these brilliant squares will be used in art and music.
