As the old adage saying goes, no pain, no gain – and while I have a difficult time implementing this motto into my own life (bc my body is a temple... and I have the pain tolerance of a 3-year-old), Katy Perry and her recent beauty escapade is the perfect example of it. Intrigued, much? Well, listen up.
Over the weekend [September 7, 2024], the singer took to social media to share a video alongside her fiancé, Orlando Bloom. However, this isn't your everyday couple-y TikTok vid but one so shocking that it has racked up over 16 million views and 2 million likes. In other words, Katy aggressively rips out her hair, before revealing that the fringe (or as she calls it, bang) is, in fact, a temporary installation.
"Baby, this bang isn't real," Katy says, "but my love for you is."
Staring at her in awe, Orlando's speechless reaction is relatable AF.
Now, while we would never endorse removing hair clip-ins/extensions/wigs as such, there's no denying that Katy got a hefty reaction from doing so. Iconic, really.
This video followed the pair's attendance of The Cut premiere during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival [September 5, 2024]. As shown below, Katy went all out in the glam department with what we now know to be a faux micro bang hairstyle and full-beat makeup look.
Everyone's clicking on...
Stun.
But as Katy proves herself, this haircut is, unfortunately, just a fleeting trend. So, before hacking at your own tresses with the kitchen scissors, why not experiment first with a clip-in hair piece? After all, that's the beauty of beauty!
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
