Some people put hours of time and serious effort into crafting a video or meme that will eventually go viral. Katy Perry, however, has managed to accomplish that goal with just one simple word: wig.
In a sneak peek ahead of the premiere of American Idol season 16, new judge Katy Perry shared a moment with 18-year-old Noah Davis when the starstruck contestant quietly said the word “wig” while staring at the panel of judges.
“Wait, did you just say ‘wig’?” Perry asked. “I know, wig, I feel that already!” Fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan started to ask Perry what the word meant, but Perry cut them off. “No, it’s not your language; it’s just for us.”
Twitter erupted with tweets about Perry’s recognition of the popular phrase (Urban Dictionary defines “wig” as “When something happens so unexpectedly, your wig flies off your head”). Some fans were excited to see Katy understanding online queer lingo. Others were simply unimpressed by what they perceived as a ham-fisted attempt by Perry to pander to her queer fanbase. Regardless, the interaction went viral, and Billboard Pride has collected some of the funniest memes from Katy Perry’s “wig” moment.
I accidentally said “wig” out loud and now Katy Perry won’t leave my apartment until I tell her it’s “just for us.” pic.twitter.com/YM8Pbhqt84
— Gabe Gonzalez (@gaybonez) March 7, 2018
When you find someone who can relate to you saying “Wig!” because you’re very into voguing right now and it gave you life pic.twitter.com/Dp25Loil2q
— Jon (@prasejeebus) March 6, 2018
Me: *closes eyes in front of mirror* Wig, wig, wig. *opens eyes*
Katy Perry: pic.twitter.com/GNEiuEWqBq— ———— (@ryecam) March 8, 2018
“Wig did you just say wig” pic.twitter.com/daxS6Jx5d7
— tincture drone (@NoTeeOrShadow) March 6, 2018
incredible McDonald’s has turned their signage to a W today in recognition of “wig” pic.twitter.com/vWq5pyH0cN
— Adam Moussa (@adamjmoussa) March 8, 2018
all the gays after Katy Perry says “wig” pic.twitter.com/s1hH0n1Rnh
— Nao (@whiteoprahh) March 6, 2018
I love how Katy Perry invented Wig pic.twitter.com/l2t8o7Ebuw
— Richi (@LadyGagaKids) March 7, 2018
when katy said “I’m looking for someone who speaks my language” in witness she meant wig pic.twitter.com/0BwAou8UDj
— cristina (@teenagefenty) March 7, 2018
I just keep watching that wig video from American idol and laughing and hitting my head against my mattress pic.twitter.com/lwcdH55wV1
— J? (@Jaredm0r0n) March 7, 2018
Wig, okay I’m bored pic.twitter.com/5t5k6Di6bl
— CAT ARIH —- (@aricatperry) March 8, 2018
Remember when Katy Perry invented the gays on American Idol? pic.twitter.com/UEGf3Lpjx1
— Wig! (@MrLuisWatkins) March 7, 2018
Im_so_into_voguing_right_now_v2.movpic.twitter.com/BsU4HaHIKk
— Patrick Crowley (@pcrowl) March 8, 2018
When ppl from stan twitter link up irl pic.twitter.com/KLUhVTHQiu
— Anal Eaze Keating — (@deaddilf69) March 6, 2018
Katy Perry after saying “it’s not your language….wig” pic.twitter.com/1DT9CM0IUM
— boo boo the fool (@holden_a_fork) March 6, 2018