She would have liked to kiss a penguin, but even Katy Perry isn’t a big enough superstar for Pesto.

Pop star Katy Perry jetted into Melbourne this week to headline the pre-game entertainment for Saturday’s AFL grand final at the MCG.

And it wasn’t swans or lions that grabbed her attention when she landed but Pesto, the nine-month-old king penguin chick who is already the biggest penguin the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had.

Pesto is no stranger to the perks of celebrity.

At 22.5 kilograms, he is already twice the size of his parents — and he has gathered an international following.

Fans of the fluff line up at the aquarium each day to catch a glimpse … and Perry revealed to the ABC that she's one of his thousands of admirers. 

"I don't know if I'm actually allowed to hug it, but it really looks huggable," Perry told ABC News Breakfast.

Perry took time out of her whirlwind pre-grand final promotions and rehearsal schedule for the visit, but Pesto didn't appear to warm up to his A-grade celebrity visitor.

She was allowed inside the penguin enclosure, but due to strict biosecurity rules there was no hugging allowed to take place between the two superstars.

“Can you wish me luck for Saturday?” Perry asked.

“It’s a pretty big gig.”

Pesto chirped his support, and even offered some choreography tips before he waddled off.

While Perry is entertaining the tens of thousands of AFL fans at the MCG on Saturday (not to mention the millions more watching on TV), Pesto will be gobbling down his 25 fish a day — and probably barracking for the swans.