Last month Katy Perry released “Woman’s World,” the first single off her new album 143, to a trifecta of criticism and controversy. There was the fact that she collaborated with credibly-accused rapist/abuser Dr. Luke. There was the fact that although the lyrics purportedly touted feminism, the music video was a hot mess of skimpy bikinis and bimbo stereotypes. And what was the third issue? Oh yeah, the song sucks. So with all that sweeping, negative feedback, you would expect Katy to take note and make sure the rollout for the next single went more smoothly. Well, you would be wrong. “Lifetimes” came out last week, with another bikini-forward music video, and now the Spanish government is investigating whether Katy’s production team got all the proper permits to film at protected sand dunes on S’Espalmador island. They’re also looking into whether the filming caused any environmental damage. Oh, and it’s another terrible song, although that appears not to have violated any Spanish laws.
Katy Perry’s latest music video is causing controversy in Spain.
Nearly a week after the pop superstar, 39, released her “Lifetimes” music video, the Environment Department of the Balearic Islands issued a press release on Aug. 14 stating the production company behind the clip didn’t obtain proper authorization to film at the protected sand dunes of Ses Salines Natural Park.
Now, the Environment Department is investigating the possibility that filming the music video, directed by Stillz and starring Perry, caused environmental damage to the beach, according to the press release, translated from Spanish to English.
In the video, Perry can be seen frolicking in the dunes of S’Espalmador island, which are protected by ropes, seemingly indicating a prohibited area.
According to the press release, filming “Lifetimes” is not a “crime against the environment” but rather an infringement. The Environment Department noted that video production “can be authorized” through the proper channels.
A label spokesperson for Perry tells PEOPLE in a statement, “The local video production company assured us that all necessary permits for the video were secured. We have since learned that one permit was in process, although we were given verbal authority to go ahead.”
The statement continued, “Our local crew on July 22 applied for a permit for this specific location with the Directorate-General For Coasts And Coastline. Our crew received verbal approval on July 26 to proceed with the filming on July 27. We adhered to all regulations associated with filming in this area and have the utmost respect for this location and the officials tasked with protecting it.”
Released on Aug. 8, the “Lifetimes” clip follows Perry as she heads to Ibiza by ferry for a party-filled trip, complete with partying, swimming and spending time on the beach around the beach with friends.
Sporting several different looks, the “California Gurls” singer dances at multiple bars and clubs, tosses pizza to the audience during a DJ set and rides on the back of an unidentified man’s motorcycle before leaving the island.
“Lifetimes” serves as the second single off Perry’s upcoming sixth album, 143.
“It’s about finding that one deep and satisfying love of your life,” she said in a statement upon its release. “A soulmate doesn’t always have to come in the form of a partner — it can come in all different ways, a child, a best friend, a pet.”
Perry added that her soulmate is her daughter, Daisy Dove, whom she shares with fiance Orlando Bloom. “For me it is my daughter — I ask her every night, ‘Will you find me in every lifetime?’ She says yes, and I feel found. You’ll find each other, over and over again, for lifetimes,” she said.
Say what you will about the quality of Katy’s latest offering, but you cannot deny that it IS impressive to have a foreign country clarify on record that your work is technically NOT “a crime against the environment.” It’s just an infringement! And to give Katy some further credit, I can believe that the production team honestly thought they had gotten full clearance, and I also believe something could have gotten lost in translation between Katy’s crew and the local team. I’m not saying definitively that’s what happened, just that I can see a lot of ways this could have been mishandled from many parties involved, as opposed to there being one instigator. I will say, unequivocally, that the final result does not justify potential damage to a protected environment. While less outwardly offensive than “Woman’s World,” the “Lifetimes” video is about as generic as it gets. And am I missing the boat (don’t answer that), or are Katy’s comments on the meaning of the song not at all reflected in the story that plays out in the video?
Photos credit: PA Images/INSTARimages, Smart Pictures / Avalon and via Instagram
Tbf to KP, our neighbors have decided to move to Spain for their retirement and there is a lot of bureaucratic work involved. You need everything in writing and you need to make sure that a lawyer checks it. Never accept a verbal agreement.
That said, KP tends to put herself in these situations and she can have terrible instincts and reactions. I kind of feel like she’s getting the album rollout she deserves.
She seems self-entitled and I’d bet she ordered everyone to go ahead with the video without the necessary permits.
I’d bet that nun cursed her before dying 🤣
Katy is so out of touch with the rest of the planet that she needs to buy Space X tickets for her whole family and move to Mars.
It’s one of those generic vacation music videos that could have been filmed pretty much anywhere. Why did she have to use THIS beach?
I was thinking the same. Very selfish to risk damage to a protected beach, when they all look the same in a video.
She sure is having a 💩 year..🥴
The video certainly has little or nothing to do with the lyrics. I guess if I looked like her I’d want to prance around in a bikini too, but it makes no sense! And yes they could have filmed this in California. It’s just a pretty beach, there are plenty of those all over the world.
I hope she also teaches her daughter about healthy boundaries in relationships because what she’s saying sounds like a lot.
The idea of honoring the deep and abiding love one feels for a child with a generic and superficial pop/dance song accompanied by a video of you striking Kardashian poses in a micro bikini is a unique and unexpected choice. And that’s as gracious as I can be about Katy Perry.
For reals though, how bad is this disconnect? Because I think she also gave comments about her mechanical leg bikini video where she tried to ascribe some feminist depth it all and her comments really, really didn’t align at all the the song or the video. Does her comm team not listen to or watch her finished products? Is AI writing her interview responses? It’s bizarrely disconnected. Just say “I’m my own true love, how great do I look in a bikini! So shallow but fun!” and take the L.
She needs to think about what she wants to do, and then do the opposite for a while, because right now it’s a big mess.
So much privilege
Like Blake, she’s not reading the room.
Our world has changed.
Thoughtless celebrity worship is becoming a thing of the past.
The support for genuine talent absolutely still exists, but these arrogant stunts by the famous are now being laid bare exactly as they should be.
And I think you might be on to something, Alpine Witch.
As practical as I am, there is a part of me who believes in curses.
She better find a cleanser.
I get that she’s in the best shape of her life. Good for her, specially after having a whole child. But can’t she show that off with Instagram posts or whatever. Does EVERY video have to be to show off her body? Specially when she’s trying to sell the female empowerment message. Women are not just their bodies and looks. That’s a big part of the whole point. She’s also been showing up practically naked at red carpets, specially those days she spent in Paris, I think. Like girl, you’re super hot. That’s wonderful. But can we please not make EVERYTHING about that?
If this wasn’t Katy Perry, I would say this is so Katy Perry coded. Instead I’l just say, “yeah.”
To spend ALL THAT 💰 to film in Spain 🇪🇸 when you LIVE in a state that has SIMILAR landscapes…is…SOMETHING!😬
Is she looking rather haggard these days or is it me?
It’s not just you. To my eyes she is looking hard and haggard but maybe it’s too much makeup applied improperly? I’m 39 like Katy and my skin doesn’t look like that at all. 😬
I’m well over Katy at this point. Her fake feminist politics annoy me much more this year with so much on the line. I don’t know how she can vote for people who rate her entire worth on whether or not she is ****able enough to them, or whether or not she has children.
This has been a year of celebrity midlife crises. I’m wondering if she’s feeling insecure in her marriage? She’s giving desperate, not confident.
And yet mtv just announced she was getting the Vanguard award for video excellence.
‘Verbal approval’? Idiots. You want those permits in hand.
There’s too much arse in that video, even if it’s a nice one. I couldn’t make it to the end.