Katy Perry closed out the Biden-Harris inauguration “Celebrating America” primetime special, hosted by Tom Hanks and featuring a number of musical guests and celebrities, with an explosive fireworks display.
Performing her seminal 2010 hit "Firework" in a red, white, and blue gown, the Grammy-nominated pop performer sang in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as President Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff looked on.
Fans were overjoyed on social media, with one declaring, “KATY PERRY CAME AND DELIVERED.”
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Another wrote, “You're not officially the president of the United States until Katy Perry sings 'Firework' to you.”
Chrissy Teigen even chimed in on Twitter, writing, "And then @katyperry killed it." (Teigen's husband, singer John Legend, had performed a rendition of Nina Simone’s "Feeling Good" earlier in the evening.)
“Now THAT is the way 'Firework' by Katy Perry deserves to be sung,” another fan wrote.
“Lady Gaga starting the day off perfectly and Katy Perry ending it perfectly. We’ve been blessed,” one said.
Lady Gaga performed earlier in the day at Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony, where she sang the national anthem.
The day was packed with major performances, with Jennifer Lopez also joining in to sing a medley of "America the Beautiful" and “This Land Is Your Land”. Country singer Garth Brooks was also on hand during the swearing-in to sing “Amazing Grace”.
The remainder of the “Celebrating America” TV special, meanwhile, featured additional sets from Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons, Foo Fighters, Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi, the aforementioned John Legend, and Bruce Springsteen.
Read about the highlights here.
