Updated

Katy Perry offered a visual feast for viewers at the top of Sunday night's American Music Awards.

Perry wore a traditional Japanese dress during her show-starting performance of "Unconditionally" as scores of colorfully clad dancers waved fans, danced in front of rice-paper screens and played the drums.

She said before the show she wanted to up her game, given the chance to open, and the whirling stage production was a wash of colors and movements before Perry disappeared in a puff of smoke.

But not all AMA viewers appreciated Perry's efforts. Only moments after her performance began, some took to Twitter, charging that the pop star's stage costume was racist.

But many viewers weren't offended by her outfit choice, and they took to the Twitterverse to defend Perry.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.