Katy Perry turned herself into a human Maypole of sorts during a performance of her song Unconditionally during Sunday’s MTV European Music Awards in Amsterdam.

The Roar singer joked with MTV ahead of the awards show about her upcoming performance.

“It’s a challenging performance; it’s unlike any of the performances I’ve done before,” she said while on the EMAs red carpet. “It looks like I’m being abducted, basically … and also there’s a bit of a magic trick in it — I’m not getting sawed in half, I’ll do that later — I’ll be floating in space.”

And she wasn’t kidding about any of it either. As dancers surrounded Perry, they wove banners around her as she rose to the ceiling. When what initially appeared to be robes were removed, she was wearing a sparkling ensemble with black reflective jewels. This coincided with the song’s bridge.

Katy Perry teased her fans about the upcoming performance earlier on Sunday via Twitter.

For tonight's performance of UNCONDITIONALLY on @mtvema I will be letting the LIGHT in & then making you SHINE! #dontneedtobehighforthis

— Katy Perry (@katyperry) November 10, 2013

While Katy Perry walked away from the MTV EMAs a winner in the Best Female category, her real win came from the excitement her fans displayed during her unbelievable performance. Some took to Twitter following her rendition of Unconditionally, replete with her human Maypole act, to share their excitement.

Katy Perry at the MTV EMAs 2013 – Popsugar: Katy Perry channeled Sandra Bullock in Gravity at the MTV Europe… http://t.co/3PVlTznvuo

— pizzazzy (@pizzazzy1) November 11, 2013

Katy Perry Takes Flight at the EMAs: Katy Perry channele… http://t.co/TL23hGa95m

— Bobby Fisher (@FAMOUSTWEETER) November 10, 2013

Congrats to Katy Perry on her EMAs win, and kudos to her for her inspiring act in Amsterdam.

Photo via Wikimedia