Katy Perry Under Investigation for “Lifetimes” Music Video
Following the release of Katy Perry‘s “Lifetimes” music video on Aug. 8, the pop star came under investigation for potential environmental damage of the protected dunes of S’Espalmador in Spain.
The Environmental Department of the Balearic Islands launched a probe of Perry’s music video Tuesday, the department stated in a press release, after her production company failed to request proper approval for filming in the region.
The music video begins with Perry’s arrival on the islands where she fist bumps beach goers, cliff jumps, and kicks her feet in the sand before ending up at a crowded nightclub.
S’Espalmador is located within the Ses Salines de Ibiza and Formentera natural park, and is home to the “best-preserved dune system of the Balearic Islands” which hold “great ecological value,” according to the Balearic Islands tourism website.
The department added that the filming did not constitute a “crime against the environment,” as a company simply must request authorization from the environment department before photo or video use.
Reps for Perry did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment.
“Lifetimes” is the second single off of Perry’s upcoming album, 143, set to release Sept. 20. The singer received backlash for the album’s lead single “Woman’s World,” with listeners alleging the track appealed to the male gaze despite its empowering lyrics. She also received criticism for working with producer Dr. Luke, who is credited on a preview of “Lifetime.”
“Thanks to its brain-dead lyrics (‘sexy, confident/ so intelligent’), AI-like chorus, and Perry’s startlingly tone-deaf choice to record a ‘feminist’ song with the likes of Dr. Luke, the song prompted near-universal mockery, and instantly flopped,” Rolling Stone’s Brian Hiatt wrote in a commentary.
Perry responded to the widespread criticism in a behind-the-scenes “Woman’s World” clip, and said “We’re kind of just having fun being a bit sarcastic with it, it’s very slapstick, and very on the nose.”
Rolling Stone reported in June that Perry recruited former collaborators Stargate, Dr. Luke, and Max Martin for her latest album. Luke and Martin have worked on Perry’s smash hits including “I Kissed a Girl” and Teenage Dream‘s title track, “Last Friday Night,” plus a majority of Prism such as “Dark Horse” and “Roar.” Her 143 collaboration with Dr. Luke arrives about a year after Kesha and Dr. Luke settled his defamation lawsuit, years after Kesha’s filing against the producer in 2014 alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
