Topline
Katy Perry’s single “Woman’s World”—her long-awaited return to music—has been clouded with bad reviews and controversy after the pop star was called a “hypocrite” for collaborating with embattled producer Dr. Luke, who was sued by singer Kesha for sexual assault, though he’s denied the allegation.
Katy Perry pointing and performing on stage.
Key Facts
On the song—which was released Thursday ahead of the September debut of her new album “143”—Perry sings lyrics that nod to women’s empowerment, like “It’s a woman's world and you're lucky to be livin' in it,” and “Fire in her eyes/ Feminine divine/ She was born to shine.”
However, “Woman’s World” has been met with several bad reviews and mixed feelings from fans online who called the song outdated, and criticized her for working with Lukasz Gottwald, known as Dr. Luke.
The Guardian gave the single one star out of five and criticized the song and its accompanying music video, calling them a “dated attempt at writing a feminist anthem about how women really can have it all.”
The Cut called Perry’s rollout for her new album “143” “desperate,” adding the song makes her seem like she’s stuck in 2016 “in a la-di-dah dimension in which…‘Male Tears’ mugs make bank on Etsy.”
Vulture said Dr. Luke’s presence “negates the song’s entire message” of feminism, and fans can “hear more compelling takes on womanhood” from new songs by other artists like Billie Eilish, Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande.
Pitchfork condemned the pop singer in its review for collaborating with producer Dr. Luke, saying the song’s empowering message “rang false, simply because it was co-written and co-produced by Dr. Luke.”
Why Is It Controversial For Katy Perry To Work With Dr. Luke?
In 2014, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of sexual and physical assault in a since-dismissed lawsuit, though Dr. Luke has denied these allegations. This caused Dr. Luke to file a countersuit accusing Kesha of defamation, though the two settled out of court. In texts to Lady Gaga that were revealed in court, Kesha accused Dr. Luke of raping Perry, though both Dr. Luke and Perry denied this claim. Several artists like 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 just contributes to the narrative that men can do abhorrent shit and get away with it,” Breslin wrote. “On another note, I love @KeshaRose and she gave one of the best shows ive ever been to last year <3 stream Kesha!” Breslin later said she received death threats for the post. Perry was labeled a “hypocrite” by Pitchfork for collaborating on a feminist song with Dr. Luke. The Cut also criticized Perry for working with Dr. Luke, saying in its review “she’s so pro-woman, in fact, she rehired Dr. Dr. Luke, the embattled producer behind some of her biggest hits, whom she had ceased working with following allegations that he sexually assaulted Kesha, once her friend.”
Key Background
Perry and Dr. Luke have worked together for over a decade, and he’s co-produced eight of her nine Billboard No. 1 hits. He received two Grammy nominations for collaborating on Perry’s work: One in 2011 for “Album of the Year” for her album “Teenage Dream,” and another in 2014 for “Song of the Year” for Perry’s song “Roar.”
Tangent
Other’s online have pointed to Perry’s support of billionaire Rick Caruso during his 2022 run for Los Angeles Mayor as another contradiction to her “Woman’s World” message. Caruso was a longtime Republican-turned-Democrat who lost the election to now-Mayor Karen Bass, and was criticized by liberals for previously donating to anti-abortion organizations and politicians. Perry posted a picture to Instagram of her at a voting booth with Caruso’s name selected and the caption “I am voting for a myriad of reasons (see the news) but in particular because Los Angeles is a hot mess atm.” She has since turned the comments off on the post.
Forbes Valuation
Forbes estimated Perry was worth $340 million in September 2023, calling her one of the richest self-made women in the U.S.
Further Reading
Katy Perry Is Now Worth $340 Million—And One Of The Richest Self-Made Women In America (Forbes)
