Cringe at its best: Katy Perry struggles to sing 'I Still Call Australia Home' on stage at G'Day USA gala

At one point, Katy Perry's mouth fell open in a comical O as the other celebrities enthusiastically sang the song during the gala
PUBLISHED JAN 30, 2023
Katy Perry had no idea what the lyrics were to 'I Still Call Australia Home' (Monica Schipper/Getty Images; @portalkatyperry/ Twitter)
Katy Perry had no idea what the lyrics were to 'I Still Call Australia Home' (Monica Schipper/Getty Images; @portalkatyperry/ Twitter)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Katy Perry recently fou d herself in a rather cringeworthy yet hilarious situation. The pop icon seemed to be literally lost for words while singing 'I Still Call Australia Home' at the G'Day USA gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 28.  

Perry was joined by a group of Australian celebrities, including Miranda Kerr, Paul Hogan and Delta Goodrem, for the patriotic singalong. However, when fellow celebrities began singing the song, Perry appeared to be frozen on stage and it was painfully obvious the 'Dark Horse' singer clearly did not know the lyrics to the song.

READ MORE

Who is Lisa Pekar? Actress alleges Harvey Weinstein forced her to strip down and perform oral sex

'My beautiful mama': Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter Riley Keough shares heartbreaking final photo with mom  



 

'I Still Call Australia Home' was written by Peter Allen in 1980. It is a famous song about Australian expatriates' longing for home. For many Australians, especially those living overseas, it was considered to be their unofficial national anthem. The song has long featured in adverts for Qantas for decades. The 38-year-old, who hails from Santa Barbara, California, was also invited to the stage sing the iconic song.

Katy Perry attends the G'Day USA Arts Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on January 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Katy Perry attends the G'Day USA Arts Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on January 28 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

When everyone began singing the song, Perry looked confused and appeared to be mumbling words while glancing around nervously at other stars on stage. At one point, the 'Harleys in Hawaii' singer stood frozen on stage as Delta Goodrem passed the microphone to her face. Despite the cringey moment, the singer looked stunning in a sensational shiny golden bralette top and matching flowing skirt.  

Katy Perry attends the G'Day USA Arts Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on January 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Katy Perry attends the G'Day USA Arts Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on January 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Perry had the honor of presenting model and beauty entrepreneur Kerr with the coveted Excellence in the Arts award. Kerr was previously married to Perry's partner Orlando Bloom from 2010 to 2013. Before the show, the pair even posed together on the blue carpet. 

(L-R) Katy Perry and Miranda Kerr attend the G'Day USA Arts Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on January 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Katy Perry and Miranda Kerr attend the G'Day USA Arts Gala at Skirball Cultural Center on January 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

What is a G'Day USA?

G'Day is a star-studded event that is hosted annually by the American Australian Association and celebrates prominent Australians in the US entertainment industry. The award features the who's who from film, television, music and pop spheres, who have enhanced Hollywood-Australia relations. This year's G'Day USA gala gave a special tribute to Olivia Newton-John, who died after a long battle with breast cancer at the age of 73 in August 2022.

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