'I kept on getting oranger': Katy Perry reveals spending big to fix her 'California Gurls' fake tan

In 'California Gurls' video, Katy Perry dressed in a variety of vibrant clothes as she plays with rapper, Snoop Dogg in a Candyland setting
PUBLISHED MAR 26, 2023
Katy Perry released her 'California Gurls' music video in 2010 (Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images, Katy Perry/Youtube)
Katy Perry released her 'California Gurls' music video in 2010 (Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images, Katy Perry/Youtube)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Katy Perry made a critical tanning error during the 2010 recording of her 'California Gurls' music video. The 'Roar' singer, 38, revealed that she had to "spend so much extra money on color-grading" the popular video because she looked "orange". 

In an interview with Vogue for their 'Life in Looks' segment on Friday, March 24, Perry recalled, "Funny story behind this is that I look super tan here, right? Rarely do I get spray tans, and typically you're supposed to get them the night before. Well, I just didn't have time. So, I got them the day of my music video."

READ MORE

'Was enjoying before Katy Perry butted in': 'American Idol' judge slammed for interrupting Mariah Faith's audition

'American Idol': Katy Perry gives second chance to stripper mom Fire who wants 'to do this for daughter'



 

'I just kept on getting oranger and oranger'

"When you get a tan the morning of your music video, your color changes gradually throughout the day. So, I just kept on getting oranger and oranger and oranger. We had to spend so much extra money on color-grading this music video because in one part of the video, I'm this color orange, and then I'm this color orange in the next part of the music video," she explained. The 'Harleys in Hawaii' singer also offered some sound advise to her followers, "Kids, just a little tip: fake tans, night before."



 

In the video, Perry, dressed in a variety of vibrant clothes, plays with rapper Snoop Dogg, 51, in a setting that is evocative of Candyland. 'California Gurls' was released by the 'Hot N Cold' singer in 2010. The track served as the lead single for her third studio album, 'Teenage Dream'. The American Idol judge additionally revealed some behind-the-scenes information about one of her costumes, a set of iridescent blue shorts and a cupcake bra. She revealed that the sparkly shorts were made from Diesel jeans "that were cut and bedazzled."

A still from the 'California Gurls' music video. (Katy Perry/Youtube)
A still from the 'California Gurls' music video (Katy Perry/Youtube)

'I can close one eye at a time'

In another segment of the Vogue interview, Perry joked that she uses her infamous "doll eye" technique to keep an eye on her glam squad. The pop star admitted that she enjoys monitoring her hair and makeup artists to ensure that her appearance is flawless. "I do this pose called 'doll eye'," explained the 'Dark Horse' songstress. "I can close one eye at a time and still like maintain all function." "I've sat in a hair and make-up chair for 15 years. If they're putting eyeshadow on this eye and someone is putting my hair up into a french twist, I want to give notes in real-time," she said.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025