Katy Perry's 'Wide Awake' Music Video: Look By Look
A still from Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" Video.
Photo: Courtesy of EMI/Capitol
Did we say Katy Perry's new video for "Wide Awake" was premiering tomorrow? Well, turns out Christmas came early because IT'S HERE RIGHT NOW! A little gift for your Monday, starting on the set of "California Gurls" and ending on stage for her California Dreams Tour, the video chronicles Katy's journey through the labyrinth of success, from the very first taste to the present moment. The clip explores the dangers of being sucked into a fantasy world and believing too strongly in its illusions- from a poisoned strawberry to a lying prince charming - and does it all in spectacular style. We also need to point out that Katy has a strawberry tattoo on her ankle, which she got to commemorate the success of her debut mainstream album, One Of The Boys. So much meaning to be unpacked! The video is also AWESOME looking, and there are quite a few outfits to be unpacked as well. Katy is led through her journey by a little girl, who, as the license plate on her pink bicycle suggests (it reads 'Kathryn'), is Perry herself, who saves her from some evil bull-headed men in a creepy hospital, and eventually leads her into the light. This video, the eighth single from the deluxe, Complete Confection version of Teenage Dream, marks, along with the upcoming Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D concert film, the end of past two unbelievable years of the singer's career. Teasers for the video showed little girl Katy literally closing the book on Teenage Dream, and although that scene isn't in the final video, you can definitely get a sense of finality from the clip.
VAMP IT UP
A still from Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" video.
Photo: Courtesy of EMI/Capitol
You know that strong red lip we've been seeing all over the place lately? Well, Katy's pulling it off flawlessly in the first look of her video. She starts off as a kind of vampire-goth princess, not a look that's totally new to her, and we LOVE IT. Although the sheer, purple dress, replete with a cape (!) is a little more Halloween than anything else, the contrast of Katy's flawless skin, bold eyes and lips, and deep purple tresses really can't be beat where drama is concerned. What better outfit to fight your inner demons, Katy? We can't think of one. Also those architectural, hourglass invoking earrings? Killin' it.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
A still from Katy Perry's video for "Wide Awake".
Photo: Courtesy of EMI/Capitol
After eating the poisoned strawberry, Perry is transported to a hallway flanked by mirrors, behind which are tons of reporters with flash bulbs. As Katy gets closer and closer to the mirror's surface, the ground begins to crumble under her. Could this be an allusion to being sucked into the paparazzi's glare? We think so, but we also think Katy's beige, stand out shoulder gown is UN-BELIEVABLE. Entirely covered by matching beige butterflies, the dress is part Star Trek, part belle of the ball, and her elegant pompadour and muted rose hued lip reflect that vibe.
FLOWER POWER
A still from Katy Perry's video for "Wide Awake".
Photo: Courtesy of EMI/Capitol
SOMETHING LOOK FAMILIAR? We thought Katy was just tweeting a rad mani last month, but she was actually giving us a sneak peek at her video! The manicure, which features both 3-D and painted on flowers, as well as a few extra wrapping around her fingers. Still as awesome as it was the first time, we have to say. We're also really glad she's using this fierce nail game to take out the lying, finger-crossing prince charming! We wish we could do that sometimes (not the punching, obvs. No violence around here).
LIKE A BUTTERFLY
A still from Katy Perry's video for "Wide Awake".
Photo: EMI/Capitol
WE showed you Katy's flower-covered garden party look in our sneak peek, but now that we can see the ensemble closer up, we realized that what we thought was a flower headpiece is actually butterflies. Butterflies seem to be the most important symbol in the video, appearing on almost every look and flying through the crowd as Katy ascends into the opening bars of "Teenage Dream." In the last look, Katy is ethereal and nymph like while also maintaining strength and groundedness with those rad combat boots we were dying over in our earlier post. A perfect look for transformation, we think.
It's hard to believe that the Teenage Dream era has come to an end, but with her documentary and surely much more to come, we're pretty excited to see what's next. Watch the video now, and tune into a live chat with Katy Perry herself right after the premiere at 7:53 PM ET.
