What did Katy Perry do to anger Spanish authorities? Her ‘Lifetimes’ video is under investigation

Perry’s “Lifetimes” video sparks legal drama in Spain

Pop superstar Katy Perry in her ‘Lifetimes’ video.Instagram @katyperry

Katy Perry is currently facing some unexpected challenges in Spain over her new music video for “Lifetimes.” The pop star, who recently turned 39, released the visually stunning video set in the Balearic Islands last Thursday (August 8). It features her enjoying a day at the beach before heading to a lively club in Ibiza. However, some of the beach scenes were filmed at the protected dunes of S’Espalmador on Formentera, raising eyebrows.

The Balearic Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment has stated that the production company behind the video failed to seek the necessary authorization to film in this environmentally sensitive area.

They said: “That is why preliminary investigation actions have been initiated.” While the ministry is taking the situation seriously, they clarified, “We do not consider Perry’s actions a crime against the environment,” emphasizing that general photography and filming can be authorized in such locations.

As for Perry, she has yet to comment on the investigation, leaving fans and media curious about her perspective on the matter.

Is Katy’s comeback in jeopardy?

“Lifetimes” marks the second single from her upcoming seventh album, “143,” which is due for release on September 20. The first single, “Woman’s World,” however, has not fared as well as anticipated. It debuted at No. 63 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and No. 43 in the UK, signaling a lukewarm reception for her much-anticipated return.

In a review for The Independent, music critic Adam White expressed some harsh opinions about “Woman’s World.” He stated: “Katy Perry only has herself to blame for her troubled comeback,” describing the track as a “depressingly retrograde racket, a faux-feminist pastiche paying tribute to the ‘feminine divine.‘”

White further remarked that the song “would have been mortifying enough in its natural habitat of a Hillary-for-president fundraiser in 2016,” adding that in 2024, it “sounds little more than alarmingly antiquated.”

Despite the legal issues and mixed reviews, Perry’s fans remain hopeful for her new album. With anticipation building, it remains to be seen if she can reclaim her former glory and win back the hearts of listeners. Only time will tell if “Lifetimes” and the upcoming album will mark a successful chapter in her career.