Katy Perry Lights Up D.C. With ‘Firework’ for ‘Celebrating America’ Inaugural Special

Of course Katy Perry had to perform her 2010 smash hit song “Firework” as pyrotechnics burst behind the Washington Monument as part of Wednesday’s (Jan. 20) Celebrating America primetime inauguration special.

The singer — dressed in an all-white evening gown with matching cape and beaded sleeves — performed form the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as fireworks shot across the sky above her. As she sang the standout track from her blockbuster album Teenage Dream, the camera showed President Joe Biden with first lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with second gentleman Doug Emhoff standing on balconies overlooking the incredible display raining over Washington, D.C.

“If you only knew what the future holds/ After a hurricane comes a rainbow,” Perry sings in the explosive pop hit. “Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed/ So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road.” Hopefully Biden feels like his perfect road has led him to the White House after decades of service in D.C.

Perry announced her inaugural performance on Tuesday night by tweeting a photo of four patriotic microphones to choose from for her performance. For what it’s worth, she went with the one covered in a bedazzled flag.

Watch Perry perform on the Celebrating America special below. The primetime special celebrating Biden and Harris’ inauguration also included performances from Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato and more.