Katy Perry Brought Out A Giant Inflatable Hamster During #iHeartAwards Performance

The 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards kicked off with a bang ... and a giant inflatable hamster, life-sized hamster wheel, and adorable dancing children.

Katy Perry opened the show, rocking her new very short haircut, as she performed her new single "Chained To The Rhythm." Earlier on the carpet, she had said the inspiration came from seeing Scarlett Johansson at the Oscars. "I want to redefine what it means to be feminine. Look at Scarlett Johansson, who's one of the most beautiful women in the world. We have the same haircut and I saw her at an Oscars party and I was like, 'I'm doing it.'"

For her iHeartRadio Music Awards performance, Katy took the stage in a gigantic, human-sized hamster wheel, as she rocked a red and pink pants suit, with matching sneakers (probably the most comfortable shoes she's ever worn on stage). 

Also present on stage? An enormous inflatable, dancing hamster -- which, backstage, she referred to as a "giant orange hamster."

Joining Katy and her hamster on stage during her performance was a group of very talented dancing children. The kids traveled with Katy all over the stage, hitting all their dance moves, before Skip Marley appeared to sing his verse in the hit song. 

"Chained To The Rhythm" is Katy's first single since her 2016 Olympic Anthem "Rise." The song, which was co-written by Perry, Sia and its producers Max Martin and Ali Payami, is only the beginning of new music for Katy, who has been working on her new album.

CLICK HERE for more on our 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards, including an up-to-date list of winners and some of the biggest moments from the night.

Photos: Getty Images