Katy Perry shares 'tragic' story behind first BRIT Awards

For some, a BRIT Awards “horror story” might comprise of an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction, unexpected stage invasion or a spectacular tumble mid-performance.

But Katy Perry’s very first experience of the prestigious awards ceremony turned out to be a lot, lot worse.

The Teenage Dream singer, who delivered a show-stopping performance of her latest track ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ on the BRITs stage last night, recently opened up about her disastrous first appearance at the star-studded event.

Speaking to Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw, Katy revealed her self-doubt over televised gigs, as she confessed: “TV performances are my Achilles heel, because obviously I see my peers who I admire sitting in the audience, and I’m like ‘I’ll never be Beyoncé, I’m just less than Beyoncé!’

“I’m me in my own way and I love being me, but shoot, Beyoncé is so much better than everyone else, so it’s hard performing sometimes.”

However, it wasn’t nerves that turned Katy’s debut appearance at the swanky soiree into a total nightmare, but a nasty bout of flu.

During the 2009 event, the US star was so poorly she ended up retreating to the bathroom, where she shivered with cold sweats for most of the evening, until she was found by Torn singer Natalie Imbruglia.

“The first time I went to the BRITs I had a flu of maybe 102, and I was so sick and I walked the carpet and they were like ‘You can’t go home’ cos they like knew I was gonna win, and I was like, ‘Why am I here, I’m literally dying’,” she recalled.

She continued: “I went to the girls’ bathroom and went under a credenza and Natalie Imbruglia pulled up the curtain and was like, ‘Are you alright babes?’ and I was shivering with cold sweats and was like, ‘I’m supposed to be here at the BRITs, I think I’m getting an award.’”

Like an absolute pro’, the Roar songstress managed to stay until the end of the show, collecting her award onstage before departing from the venue to return home and recuperate in bed.

Concluding her sombre story, she said: “It was tragic, it was my only connection with the BRITs.”

Phew! We were so glad to see you back on top form last night, Katy.