Perry to empower Super Bowl audience
Katy Perry says her female empowerment anthems make her the ideal Super Bowl halftime performer after an NFL season shadowed by highly publicized domestic violence cases involving players.
Perry was in discussions with the league last year as it faced scrutiny over its handling of incidents including Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice's elevator assault of his then-fiancee.
"It wasn't an image problem, it was a problem," Perry said. "We were all watching and asking ourselves questions about what this year would mean. But I think that the problem that the NFL is dealing with is a global problem ... we need to work out - or educate people on.
"I'm all about female empowerment and uplifting people's spirits, and people finding their own voice with songs like Roar and Firework, so maybe there is no better person" for the show, Perry added.
"Hopefully I can bring that incredible strength and empowerment to people through the performance."
Perry promised a 12-minute mash-up of her hits, humour, multiple costume changes, at least two distinct "worlds" and special guests including Lenny Kravitz. She wouldn't comment on reports that she would perform an unreleased song.
The Super Bowl's massive TV audience - over 110 million people last year - makes the halftime show a much sought-after gig for musicians. So much so that the NFL reportedly asked Perry and other finalists to pay for the privilege of performing on February 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Perry adamantly didn't agree to that.
"I put my foot down very early in the courtship," Perry said.
