It’s safe to say that it’s been a bumpy few months for Katy Perry’s PR team,.
Just over a month since the release of her controversial track ‘Woman’s World,’ the singer’s 143 album rollout has had another hiccup. This week, Spanish authorities reportedly announced in a press release that the music video for Katy’s newest song, ‘Lifetimes’ is under investigation for possible environmental damage.
The clip for the track shows the singer living her best Euro Summer life, dancing around on the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Formentera. In some shots from the video, it is believed Katy is on the protected dunes on the isle of S’Espalmador, in Ses Salines Natural Park.
The Environment Department of the Balearic Islands claim it was not aware that Katy would be filming there and, from the sounds of things, they weren’t too happy about it.
The statement noted that filming in the area “is authorisable” but that Katy’s production company had not sought permission. “We want to clarify that in no case had the production company requested authorisation from the ministry to carry out the filming, and that is why preliminary investigation actions have been initiated,” the statement read.
The department also reiterated that, contrary to what some netizens have alleged, filming could not be considered a “crime against the environment.”
A label spokesperson for Katy issued a statement to People on August 15. The said, “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 news follows a streak of poor PR for the singer. The first single from 143, ‘Woman’s World,’ was criticised upon release for several reasons, including Katy’s choice to work with controversial producer Dr. Luke. The singer also copped flack for its lyrics, which were largely considered to be regressive.
One Guardian reviewer summed up the sentiment, calling ‘Woman’s World,’ “A dated attempt at writing a feminist anthem about how women really can have it all! It’s a song that made me feel stupider every sorry time I listened to it.”
Hey, it can only be up from here (right?).
