Katy Perry is facing new challenges this year, adding to her series of public missteps. The pop star, who recently departed from “American Idol” and announced her first album since 2020, is now under scrutiny for potential environmental damage related to her latest music video.
The Balearic Islands government has revealed that Perry and her production company did not secure the necessary permits to film the video for her second single, “Lifetimes,” from her upcoming album, 143. The investigation will focus on whether filming in the protected Ses Salines Natural Park on S’Espalmador, part of the Pityusic Islands, caused harm to the region’s vital sand dunes.
Ses Salines Natural Park is crucial for migratory birds and supports important ecological and marine habitats. The government clarified that this inquiry is not categorized as an “environmental crime” but aims to assess whether Perry’s team violated local regulations designed to protect the area.
Perry’s production company, WeOwnTheCity, filmed the video showing the singer enjoying the Mediterranean island’s landscapes and nightlife. The video, released last week, contrasts with her previous work, including the “Women’s World” video, which faced widespread criticism and was lampooned for its portrayal of “girl power” while collaborating with Dr. Luke—who had a contentious history with singer Kesha.
Despite the backlash, Perry continued her collaboration with Dr. Luke for 143, following the producer’s long legal battle with Kesha over sexual assault allegations, which he denied. Their legal dispute was settled last year.
Perry’s single “Woman’s World” also faced criticism, and despite her claims of satire, it debuted at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her new single “Lifetimes” launched at No. 145 on the global Spotify chart.
The video for “Lifetimes” required extensive crew involvement, which might have contributed to the environmental concerns. As Perry prepares for the release of her sixth studio album on September 20, the full impact of these controversies on her comeback remains uncertain.
