Jamie Campbell Bower listened to Katy Perry to get into character as Vecna for Stranger Things season 4

Now that Stranger Things season 4 has ended and blown us all away, we’re still learning new details and information about the making of the hit Netflix series. Stranger Things newcomers Joseph Quinn and Jamie Campbell Bower have been doing the promotional rounds around the world and have spilled fun behind-the-scenes about getting into character… with help from Katy Perry?!

Obviously, Stranger Things season 4 was an enormous, super-sized season with heavy storylines that required its talented cast to dig deep. I mean, we watched Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink give their strongest performances yet (and still get snubbed by the Emmys).

It’s no doubt that the actors needed to turn to all kinds of outlets such as music to get into a dark headspace for the characters, and maybe even use music to get out of that dark headspace. Luckily, Jamie Campbell Bower turned to an artist who can give you some moody music and the best anthems full of levity you’ve ever heard.

So, how did Jamie Campbell Bower get into character as Vecna for Stranger Things season 4, and what does it have to do with Katy Perry? Here’s what the Vecna/Henry/001 actor had to say about his process and the global pop superstar!

Jamie Campbell Bower used Katy Perry songs for Stranger Things season 4

While talking with the Brazilian entertainment site Omelete with costar Joseph Quinn, Bower was asked what he did to get into Vecna’s mindset during filming, and he states that he listened to a lot of music. Quinn interjects by mentioning Katy Perry, and Bower agrees. He also lists a number of additional artists he turned to for inspiration.

Although Bower doesn’t elaborate on which Perry songs he jammed to while filming Stranger Things season 4, the video takes the liberty of including a clip of the Grammy-nominated pop titan’s hit single “Firework.” It’s doubtful the empowerment jam was on the playlist, unless he was taking the song a little too literally.

Let’s go ahead and assume Bower was bopping to another Katy Perry hit that took over the world: “Dark Horse.” The No. 1 smash single features the lyric, “Are you ready for, ready for a perfect storm, perfect storm? ‘Cause once you’re mine, once you’re mine, there’s no goin’ back.” Sounds a bit like the perfect power-up song for Vecna if you ask me!

In another interview, Bower named Katy Perry’s 2019 single “Never Really Over” from her 2020 album Smile as his current favorite guilty pleasure song. Again, he’s got taste.

No matter what Katy Perry banger Bower used to get into character, whether it was house-inspired kiss-off “Swish Swish” or the sultry love song “Harleys in Hawaii,” I have to say, he has excellent taste! It’s always a good day when you find another KatyCat in the wild. Now, go ahead and stream “When I’m Gone,” Perry’s latest underrated bop that could save anyone from Vecna.

Watch Stranger Things season 4 now on Netflix.