Few things illustrate how fame comes full circle in the internet age quite like the TikTok resurgence of Katy Perry’s 2009 ballad "Thinking of You."
Initially, the trend emerged as a satirical commentary on Perry's distinctive vocal delivery, characterized by exaggerated enunciation and emotive facial expressions, which many found ripe for parody. Users on the platform mimicked her performance, amplifying its theatricality for comedic effect. (And let's be real: Perry isn't the first pop star to sing their vowels in cursive.)
However, as the trend gained momentum, a shift occurred. What began as jest gradually transformed into a genuine appreciation for the song's emotional depth and Perry's songwriting. TikTokkers began to recognize the raw vulnerability embedded in the track, leading to heartfelt covers and tributes that celebrated its sincerity.
This evolution underscores a broader cultural tendency to revisit and reassess past works, often through the lens of nostalgia and newfound understanding.
Perry, for her part, has acknowledged the trend, though not exactly embraced it. During a performance on her Lifetimes Tour, she briefly sang an exaggerated snippet of "Thinking of You" before abruptly pivoting to another song, quipping, "I don't sing like that." It was a moment that felt more like brushing off the joke than leaning into it, hinting at possible irritation beneath the surface. Rather than capitalize on the trend’s momentum, Perry kept her distance. Yet there’s a self-awareness in this restraint, reflecting the complexities of navigating critique and nostalgia in an era when pop stardom is often memed and mocked.
Still, the song’s resurrection isn’t happening in a vacuum. It lands amid renewed scrutiny of Perry’s career choices: her ongoing work with disgraced producer Dr. Luke, her involvement in a much-derided Blue Origin spaceflight, and a broader debate over her place in pop’s ever-shifting hierarchy. To some, she’s a relic. To others, she's a misunderstood powerhouse ready for reappraisal.
Perry addressed the mounting online criticism at her show in Chicago, telling the rapturous crowd, "I thought I was the most hated person on the internet...But I think that’s false."
This complex dynamic, where hate and scrutiny coexist with newfound appreciation, is at the heart of what it means to be a pop star in 2025. The TikTok trend surrounding "Thinking of You" exemplifies this tension: While Perry faces ongoing criticism for her choices, her music is also experiencing a renaissance, proving that pop stardom today thrives on both irony and sincerity.
That’s what makes this TikTok trend more than just nostalgia. It’s a chaotic, crowdsourced re-evaluation of Perry’s legacy. It suggests that, despite the fluctuating tides of public opinion, Perry's artistic contributions and maximalist approach to pop continue to resonate with audiences, offering a sense of continuity in an industry often fixated on the new and the now.
As Rolling Stone's Tomás Mier wrote, "The campy antics mocked online...have always been central to Perry’s persona from the start."
"Thinking of You" might’ve once been written off as a melodramatic B-side. Now, it’s a reminder of the big, bold sincerity pop once wore on its sleeve, and the kind of emotional directness we’re finally ready to feel again.
For Perry, this resurgence not only reaffirms her place in the cultural zeitgeist, it also proves that even pop's most theatrical moments can find new life in an era hungry for both irony and authenticity. Now, if only she’d lean into it the way she used to.
