Artists United

After her set, Perry was presented with a special award for having five #1 singles on Teenage Dream.
By James Dinh
Katy Perry performs at the 2011 American Music Awards
Photo: Getty Images

In the past year, Katy Perry has pulled out some show-stopping performances, but the pop titan was all about simplicity when she performed an acoustic version of her latest single, “The One That Got Away” at the 2011 American Music Awards.

Standing on a circular platform, Perry appeared onstage before pink-tinged light beams that appropriately matched her hair. In place of the midtempo tune that is heating up radio airwaves, the singer stripped down the song as she played the guitar and was accompanied by her background band. Mrs. Russell Brand belted her way through the regretful love song while her set turned into a starry sky when the backdrop evolved into a screen of speckled stars.

Upon the conclusion of her number, the pop star was met with a standing ovation as well as a special award of achievement for scoring five #1 singles from Teenage Dream on Billboard‘s Hot 100, an achievement only equal to Michael Jackson and his 1987 Bad LP.

“Yay! Can I just say, thank you so much for letting me be a chameleon this year,” the starlet screamed during her acceptance speech. “I’m very, very, very pleased, and I want to give thanks to my amazing record label, EMI and Capitol. … I’m about to wrap up my California Dreams Tour, 122 dates, so I want to thank my band and all the people that came out to see me, and all of you guys, ’cause you’re pretty cool too!”

This is just the latest treat Perry has offered fans in recent weeks. A little more than a week ago, she dropped the clip for the Dr. Luke and Max Martin-produced tune. The video, which was directed by Floria Sigismondi, takes viewers down memory lane as the pop star recalls her relationship with the one that got away.