With her flamboyant, colorful style and infectious pop sounds, Katy Perry has long been an ideal fit for a Las Vegas Strip residency show, a dream that came to life last year when she brought the bombastic production Play to Resorts World. But the singer’s connections to this city and to that piece of land on the Strip run much deeper than the partying that inspired her hit “Waking Up in Vegas.” Perry detailed that history and the ideas behind her show recently when she was presented with the Key to the Strip by local dignitaries in a special ceremony broadcast on Resort World’s humongous hotel tower video screen.

How does it feel to have launched this residency during the first year of Resorts World Las Vegas?

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my residency here and I’m so grateful to be part of the Resorts World Las Vegas family. I have a lot of roots here, and this just feels so natural to be here. My aunt was a showgirl here, my grandma was a seamstress here, my dad grew up here and ended up being a chauffeur. My parents met here and got married here, so it’s only natural that I would be onstage here eventually. But I did not think I would be getting a key to the Strip.

Has Vegas always been a special place for you to perform?

I remember doing one of my first shows in Vegas and wearing this full poker spread on my head, a headband with a print of all the cards. It just always left a big impression on me. I always wanted to have a residency and I have followed … a lot of really cool artists coming here and having their own residencies. Lady Gaga was here and I got to see her on opening night, and that was amazing.

Your show has created a lot of buzz with its over-the-top costumes and set designs. How did you approach the creative process of designing Play?

I think there is a through-thread in my whole career of just being a little OTT (over the top), and that’s exactly what Las Vegas is, so it’s a perfect match. When I sat down to create the show with my team, the first question was: Who is my Las Vegas audience? You’re not on tour, it’s not based off one record, and it’s not going to always be just my hardcore fans. It’s going to be a real hodgepodge of wonderful people, people that are just passersby, people that are here celebrating something special, from their bachelorette to their 21st birthday. Maybe they’ve seen something online about the show, and they’re putting it together that this looks strange and fun, and it looks like we can escape a little bit. And that’s what I set out to do.

How did song selection fit into that show design?

I wanted to create a show based on all the songs I’ve been able to put out, especially the ones that have been successful that people know and can sing along to. It’s a 90-minute show of song after song after song with a light storyline, and it transports you and helps you escape, and that’s something I think we can all use every once in a while. And that’s really why I think people come to Las Vegas. They want that stimulation, that dopamine, that escapism, and that’s what the show is. It’s a lot of joy, and I’m so happy to be synonymous with that word.

Resorts World Las Vegas, July 29-30, Aug. 3, 5-6, 10, 12-13. axs.com

Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.