This is the controversy surrounding Katy Perry’s new single “Woman’s World”
Top line
Katy Perry’s single “Woman’s World” – her long-awaited comeback to the music scene – was marred by poor reviews and controversy after the pop star was called a “hypocrite” for working with controversial producer Dr. Luke. The producer was sued by singer Kesha for sexual harassment, although he denies the allegations.
Katy Perry shows and performs on stage.
Key data
In the song, released Thursday ahead of the debut of her new album, “143,” in September, Perry sings lyrics that allude to female empowerment, such as “It’s a woman’s world and you’re lucky to live in it” and “Fire in her eyes/ Divine feminine/ She was born to shine.”
However, “Woman’s World” received several bad reviews and mixed feelings online from fans who called the song outdated and criticized her for her collaboration with Lukasz Gottwald, known as Dr. Luke.
The Guardian gave the single one out of five stars and criticized the song and its accompanying music video as “an outdated attempt to write a feminist anthem about how women really can have it all.”
The Cut called Perry’s introduction of her new album, “143,” “desperate,” adding that the song made her seem “stuck in 2016, in a la-di-dah dimension where… ‘Male Tears’ mugs fetch a fortune on Etsy.”
Vulture said Dr. Luke’s presence “negates the song’s entire feminist message,” and fans may hear “more compelling interpretations of femininity” in new songs by other artists like Billie Eilish, Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande.
Pitchfork condemned the pop singer in its review for his collaboration with producer Dr. Luke, saying the song’s empowering message “sounds fake simply because Dr. Luke co-wrote and co-produced it.”
Why is Katy Perry’s collaboration with Dr. Luke controversial?
In 2014, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of sexual and physical assault in a now-dismissed lawsuit, though Dr. Luke denies those allegations. This prompted Dr. Luke to file a countersuit accusing Kesha of defamation, though the two settled out of court. In text messages to Lady Gaga that were revealed in court, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of raping Perry, though both Dr. Luke and Perry denied that claim. Several artists, including Pink and Kelly Clarkson, have vowed to stand in solidarity with Kesha and never work with Dr. Luke again. Actress Abigail Breslin seemingly called Perry out for working with Dr. Luke in an X-post on Wednesday. “Working with known abusers in any industry only feeds into the narrative that men can do heinous things and get away with it,” Breslin wrote. “Also, I love @KeshaRose and she put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen last year <3 stream Kesha!" Breslin later said she received death threats over the post. Pitchfork called Perry a "hypocrite" for collaborating with Dr. Luke on a feminist song. The Cut also criticized Perry for her collaboration with Dr. Luke, writing in its review, "She's so pro-women that she rehired Dr. Dr. Luke, the controversial producer of some of her biggest hits. She had stopped working with him after he was accused of sexually assaulting her former friend Kesha."
Important background
Perry and Dr. Luke have worked together for over a decade, and he has co-produced eight of her nine Billboard No. 1 hits. He has received two Grammy nominations for his work on Perry’s work: in 2011 for Album of the Year for her album “Teenage Dream” and in 2014 for Song of the Year for Perry’s song “Roar.”
tangent
Others online have called Perry’s support of billionaire Rick Caruso during his 2022 run for mayor of Los Angeles a further contradiction to her “Woman’s World” message. Caruso was a longtime Republican-turned-Democrat who lost the election to now-Mayor Karen Bass. She has been criticized by liberals for previously donating to anti-abortion organizations and politicians. Perry posted a picture of her in a voting booth on Instagram with Caruso’s name selected and the caption, “I’m voting for a myriad of reasons (see the news) but specifically because Los Angeles is a hot mess right now.” She has since disabled comments on the post.
Forbes Rating
Forbes estimated Perry’s net worth at $340 million in September 2023, calling her one of the richest self-made women in the United States.
Further information
Katy Perry is now worth $340 million – and one of the richest self-made women in America (Forbes)
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