Pop star Katy Perry has drawn criticism online after a video showed her dipping a bank card into Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain after realising she had no coins for the traditional wish ritual.
In the viral clip, the singer is seen wearing a baseball cap and cream hoodie while standing in front of the historic landmark in Trevi Fountain. She is heard singing “Someone Give Me A Penny” before attempting the unusual gesture.
The Trevi Fountain is widely known for its tradition where visitors throw a coin over their shoulder into the water, a symbolic act believed to ensure a return visit to Rome.
In the video, Perry instead lowers her bank card into the fountain water, later jokingly referencing her own lyrics, saying she “doesn’t f*** with change” before deciding she still needed something for good luck.
However, the moment quickly turned awkward as she appears to drop the card and then rushes forward in panic, exclaiming “oh no!” while trying to retrieve it.
The incident sparked backlash from some viewers in Italy, who described the act as disrespectful to a historic tradition, with critics calling the stunt “cringe” and “unholy”.
Others also raised concerns about hygiene and preservation, noting that the fountain is supplied by an ancient aqueduct and is protected as a cultural landmark.
Authorities have recently tightened rules at the site, including entry fees and restrictions, in response to overcrowding and disruptive tourist behaviour linked in part to viral social media trends.
