Top Line
Katy Perry’s single “Women’s World” marked her long-awaited return to music, but it has been met with bad reviews and controversy as the pop star was called a “hypocrite” for collaborating with controversial producer Dr. Luke, who has been accused by singer Kesha of sexual assault, a charge he denies.
Katy Perry performs on stage while pointing.
Key Facts
In the song, which was released Thursday ahead of the September debut of her new album, “143,” Perry sings lyrics that affirm women’s rights, such as “It’s a woman’s world, you’re lucky to live in it” and “She’s got fire in her eyes/Feminine divinity/She was born to shine.”
However, “Woman’s World” has faced some bad reviews and mixed emotions from fans online, who criticized the song for being outdated and criticized her for featuring Lukas Gottwald, better known as Dr. Luke.
The Guardian gave the single one star out of five and criticised the song and music video, calling it “an outdated attempt at writing a feminist anthem about women being able to have it all”.
The Cut called the announcement of Perry’s new album, 143, “desperate,” adding that the song makes her “feel like she’s stuck in 2016, where ‘Male Tears’ mugs are making a killing on Etsy.”
Vulture said Dr. Luke’s presence “negates the song’s entire feminist message” and that fans can “hear more compelling interpretations of femininity” in new songs from other artists, including Billie Eilish, Chapel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande.
In its review, Pitchfork criticized the pop singer’s collaboration with producer Dr. Luke, saying the song’s powerful message “rings false simply because it was co-written and co-produced by Dr. Luke.”
Why is Katy Perry’s collaboration with Dr. Luke so controversial?
In 2014, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of sexual and physical assault, a lawsuit that has now been dropped. Dr. Luke, however, denies these allegations. This led to Dr. Luke filing a countersuit against Kesha for defamation, but the two settled out of court. In text messages to Lady Gaga revealed in court, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of raping Perry, a claim both Dr. Luke and Perry denied. Several artists, including Pink and Kelly Clarkson, have stood in solidarity with Kesha and vowed never to work with Dr. Luke again. Actress Abigail Breslin appeared to slam Perry for working with Dr. Luke in a post on X on Wednesday. “Working with a known abuser in any industry only reinforces the narrative that men can do abhorrent things and not be punished,” Breslin wrote. “Also I love @KeshaRose and it was the best show I’ve been to last year <3 Stream Kesha!" Breslin later said she received death threats because of the post. Perry was called a "hypocrite" by Pitchfork for collaborating with Dr. Luke on a feminist song. The Cut also criticized her for working with Dr. Luke, writing in their review that "she's so pro-women, in fact, that she re-hired Dr. Luke, the controversial producer behind some of Kesha's biggest hits, who had previously quit following allegations that he sexually assaulted his former friend."
Main Background
Perry and Dr. Luke have worked together for over a decade, with Dr. Luke co-producing eight of her nine #1 Billboard hits. Dr. Luke’s collaborations with Perry earned him an Album of the Year nomination in 2011 for her album Teenage Dream and a Song of the Year nomination in 2014 for Perry’s song “Roar.”
tangent
Some online have pointed out that Perry’s support for billionaire Rick Caruso, who ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022, contradicts her Woman’s World message. Caruso was a longtime Republican who switched to Democrat status and lost to current Mayor Karen Bass, and was criticized by liberals for previously donating to anti-abortion groups and politicians. Perry posted a photo of herself at the voting booth where Caruso’s name was selected on Instagram, captioning it, “I vote for many reasons (see news), but especially because LA is in trouble right now.” Perry has since turned off comments on the post.
Forbes Rating
Forbes estimates Perry’s net worth to reach $340 million as of September 2023, calling her one of the richest self-made women in the United States.
References
Katy Perry is currently worth $340 million, making her one of the wealthiest self-made women in America (Forbes)