Hip Hong Kong | I Almost Kissed Katy Perry and liked it.

I was really excited last Thursday because pop-star Katy Perry was going to perform in Tsim Sha Tsui at the Mira Hotel grand opening party. The Mira hotel used to be and old school hotel called The Miramar. (When I say old school, I mean Old School- the logo of the Miramar was straight out of the 60’s!) Well- despite it’s awesome location in the heart of the TST shopping and tourist district, The Miramar was getting a bit dusty so recently the place was completely renovated, given a slick new look and a new lease on life!

The Mira Party was a super glam event- TST-style- with crystal chandeliers, curtains made with silver beads and towers of delicious finger food, cheese and desserts! YUMMM! The crowd consisted mostly of Kowloon-side luminaries, local celebrities, the gay elite, some teenagers (huh?), and naturally a corporate element. There seemed to be a smattering of older men in suits -investors no doubt.

The highlight of the evening was Katy Perry’ performance- of course! She graced the stage in a shiny, flirty silver dress that looked like an 80’s prom dress cut short. She was only in town for the day, flown in especially for the show, and she put on an amazing performance. I inched my way towards the front and danced till my feet were swollen. I was loving her whole set- the cover tunes and all the originals. To be honest, I only knew that one song- about kissing the girl and liking it but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole act.

Some people think Katy Perry’s hit single “I kissed a girl” is annoying bubblegum pop which just hooks you in with it’s catchy tune but, well, I actually like the song and I like her nod to post-punk and Pink-esque lyrics. Do they share the same songwriter?

Anyway, towards the end of the set, I was standing near the steps to the stage and I knew she would be performing “I Kissed a Girl” anytime at that point. She made her way over towards my side of the stage walked down the steps and started asking me where I was from. I was actually afraid that she would try to pull me on stage and try to do a Britney/Madonna- style make out session with me but I really didn’t want to make a spectacle of myself and have my claim to fame be ‘the girl who tongued Katy Perry at the Mira opening’.

Apparently we were being broadcast live on the big screen monitors as well! As this whole incident was going down, I captured the whole thing with my Canon G10 camera. (BTW-I LOVEEE that camera so so much! The video quality is awesome and I highly recommend it for any somewhat serious photographers)

So as she was chatting to me asking me where I was from, this beautiful Kenyan model who reminded me of Grace Jones came running up to the stage saying “I’m from Kenya!!” I guess Grace Jones had a feeling I didn’t like girls and she was going to try to step in and be my Britney replacement for the Kissed a Girl song.

Anyway after the girl from Kenya got her hug from Katy, Katy asked again me if I was wearing cherry chapstick and I said, “Well actually, I’m wearing strawberry- I’m not sure it’s your flavor?”

In retrospect I should have just played along but I didn’t. I guess perhaps too many girls recently have really tried to kiss me and I just wasn’t into it. Phew! All my gay friends were so disappointed with me. They were like- When Katy Perry asks 'Are you wearing Cherry Chapstick'- You’re supposed to say ‘Yes, I’m wearing Cherry Chapstick!!’ One of my other gay friends said that it was the only time he wished he was a girl.

Click here to see all the photos from the event and watch live video of the performance.