Katy Perry unveiled the latest music video for her single “Smile” on Facebook last Thursday.
The delightful video showcases a pregnant artist engaging in a carnival-themed video game with animated CGI sequences.
The 35-year-old pop sensation had previously released a more budget-friendly “Performance” video in July, making this newest video her final presentation for the upbeat song. Instead of sharing the video on YouTube, Katy directed her fans to her Facebook page for the full visual experience, inviting them to share their thoughts in the comments.
The video follows Katy’s selection of a carnival-themed character, the sad clown, leading to a transformation of her real-life attire into a clown’s costume with grease paint on her face.
Throughout various vignettes, her clown avatar engages in whimsical activities, including a romantic encounter with a wolfman, competing in a strongman competition, and experiencing a daring knife-throwing act while tied to a rotating board.
Despite the initial portrayal as a sad clown, the video concludes with Katy’s animated character having a dance party with other circus performers, while the real Katy gleefully smashes a cream pie into her face. The artist had previously released a “Performance” video on July 14, where she performed against a mostly white minimalist set.
Responding to a fan’s query about the term “Performance” video, Katy hinted that there was more to come. A recent Los Angeles Times profile delved into Katy’s recent working environment, revealing that she has been filming her videos in a Burbank warehouse with a 10-person crew undergoing repeated COVID-19 testing.