Katy Perry recently dropped her new single and music video, “Woman’s World.” The singer and songwriter hadn’t released a song since 2021, and despite being in the early stage of promotion for her new music era, she has received harsh criticism. Both Internet users and experts have been sharp, pointing out different flaws in Katy Perry’s new music video.
The main critique has revolved around the “California Gurls” singer working with controversial producer Dr. Luke, who was involved in a scandal with Kesha. Similarly, the music video for “Woman’s World” was accused of pandering to the male gaze while trying to make a feminist statement. In the clip, Katy Perry is joined by her dancers in sultry construction worker outfits to later become a voluptuous robot.
Amid the backlash, the artist took to social media and shared a behind-the-scenes clip from the video, captioned, “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING! EVEN SATIRE!” She explained, that the concept of the video is being “sarcastic” and “on the nose,” implying that she is trying to make fun of the “male gaze.”
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING! EVEN SATIRE! pic.twitter.com/aHFTqcvCVm
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 13, 2024
“With this set, it’s like, ‘Oooh, we’re not about the male gaze but we really are about the male gaze,’ and we’re really overplaying it and on the nose because I’m about to get smashed. It’s a reset for me, and a reset for my idea of feminine divine.”
Katy Perry’s new era has not started off on the right foot, with people slamming down her song for the lyrics and for the involvement of Dr.Luke. Critics in publications like The Guardian called it a “pandering nonsense,” and Pitchfork said it was a “monumental catastrophe.” Yet, Katy Perry will still release her album “143” on September 20th, with “Woman’s World” as the main single.
