Live and learn, right? Unfortunately, some lessons are still painful in retrospect.
Such was the case for Katy Perry when she made a "big mistake—huge mistake" by taking a hard pass on working with Billie Eilish.
At the time, Eilish—now a seven-time Grammy winner—had just debuted her song "Ocean Eyes" with near-instantaneous success.
In a TikTok video posted by LA-based radio station 102.7 KIIS FM, the "Firework" singer revealed that she was approached with an opportunity to work with this "new artist."
Perry shared:
"It was a song called 'Ocean Eyes' and it was just a blonde girl."
"I was like, 'Meh, boring.' Big mistake. Huge mistake."
Perry also quipped:
"Don't let this hit the internet."
Oops.
You can check out the confession below.
@1027kiisfm #KatyPerry tells the story of first hearing #BillieEilish’s Ocean Eyes! 😱 #oceaneyes #oceaneyesbillieeilish #katyperryfan #losangeles
As we all know, the song—like most of Eilish's subsequent songs—was a massive hit.
Bille to Katy: pic.twitter.com/nzOZYBk7Xr
— 💜 Chelsea(manifesting Eras tickets 🤞🏻 ) (@ChelseaM201713) January 28, 2023
Of course Perry was devastated.
Katie Perry right now: pic.twitter.com/kColK6jJN5
— Rainy (@therainvvs) January 28, 2023
Some viewers of Perry's revelation sympathized with her as no one knew how explosive Eilish's career would be.
I kind of agree with Katie lol. I'd never have dreamed Billie would blow up either and I still don't understand it
— beefy_vibes (@realitybites555) January 28, 2023
I agree with Katy when she refused 😊
— Deya (@Deyajorny97) January 28, 2023
Many concurred it was in fact a huge mistake to overlook Eilish.
welp that was a mistake
— Taylor (@crocsshark) January 28, 2023
That's a mistake she's gonna regret forever
— Jelly soyeon _Bts and armys forever 🥹 (@kennyjennybenny) January 28, 2023
LMAO AT LEAST SHE KNOWS IT WAS A MISTAKE 💀😭
— harbinger of chaos ᱬ / OCEAN BLVD 🌊 (@_mylittlewitch) January 28, 2023
And several respected and appreciated Perry's honesty about the situation.
love her honesty
— manal (@nalilouu) January 28, 2023
Respect the honesty
— No Stressors Will Be Tolerated 😘 (@FlowerrrGyrl) January 28, 2023
I like her honesty 😂 we love Katy and Billie ❤️
— Fenty’s Aura (@fenty_aura) January 28, 2023
It does seem all is now well between the two singers.
Perry even went backstage before Eilish's premiere at Coachella in 2019.
\u201cKaty Perry and Billie Eilish #Coachella\u201d— Katy Perry Turkey (@Katy Perry Turkey) 1555334787
The moment even made its way into Eilish's documentary Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry.
It's safe to say there's no bad blood between The One that Got Away singer and... the one that got away.
@thesinkingcanoe/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram