Katy Perry accused of being 'morally bankrupt' as comeback album sparks backlash (2024)

Katy Perry announced her first new single in two years, and it’s already sparking backlash.

The 39-year-old singer’s supposedly forthcoming sixth album has been kept mostly under wraps, but it has been reported that controversial producer Dr Luke, 50, is attached to the project.

An exclusive report from Rolling Stonenamed some of Katy’s collaborators on the new project, and many fans were shocked and appalled to see the controversial music producer and songwriter’s name among them.

Responsible for dozens of massive hits over the past couple of decades, Dr Luke’s name became most notorious for the allegations made against him by pop superstar Kesha, who accused him of years of sexual and emotional abuse.

Dr Luke sued her for defamation shortly after, sparking several years of legal battles that resolved in both parties agreeing to settle and move on last year.

The entertainment industry seemed to mostly support Kesha, with singers like Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga all rushing to back the We R Who We R singer.

But Perry’s involvement in the Dr Luke drama goes deeper. In 2014, Kesha reportedly texted Lady Gaga that the producer had raped Perry, a claim that Perry herself denied in court and which was ruled as defamation by the New York Supreme Court.

Now, Perry is facing plenty of online backlash for working with Dr Luke.

X user @sighzach wrote: ‘Katy Perry going back to Dr Luke for a final attempt at a pop comeback… it’s so sad lol’

@shxnerusso posted: ‘Katy Perry working with Dr Luke… I really don’t think I’ve seen a move from a pop star this desperate and pathetic maybe ever. This is a whole different level of nasty, far beyond the usual randos who work with him now. It’s straight up embarrassing.’

@Hasan_Moneybags wrote: ‘The fact that Katy Perry is working with Dr. Luke again just to revive her dying career while releasing a new song about empowering women really shows how morally bankrupt she is.’

@unholycyrusss agreed: ‘I’m actually in shock how so many Katy Perry fans are defending her with this Dr. Luke thing… it’s ok to hold your favorite artist accountable btw’

Other fans argue that Perry has no choice in the matter and is contractually obligated to work with the producer for another three albums.

X user @electricrafik wrote: ‘For the people asking why Katy Perry is working with Dr. Luke again is because she’s still legally in contract with him for 3 more albums since PRISM and that means she can get sued by him if she doesn’t work with him as much as she ignores him.’

@lgndrylover posted on X: ‘Until 2023, Katy had only released 3 albums from the 6 she signed with Luke in 2007

• One Of The Boys (2008)
• Teenage Dream (2010)
• PRISM (2013)

After the lawsuit with Kesha finished, Katy still owns him three more albums from when she signed with him at 22 years old.’

While the exact details of Katy’s contract with Dr Luke remain unclear, her involvement with the producer isn’t the only criticism fans have for the singer’s new era.

Announcing the new track on Instagram recently, Perry posted a video of herself posing in a white bikini accompanied by a snippet of the song and told fans in the caption to ‘get ready to pop off.’

The cover art, shot by British photographer Jack Bridgland, depicts Perry in thigh-high cyborg-chic boots and a white crochet bikini, looking svelte, tan, and otherworldly.

She posted the cover art for the new song on X and Instagram, immediately sparking heated debate online.

While many fans have expressed their love for the cover art on social media, others have commented that it looks more than just inspired by robots, but actually looks AI-generated.

One X user, @JeffAdams82, wrote: ‘Oh look, it’s AI Katy Perry. Is her voice on her new record going to be as fake as this picture?’

Meanwhile, reddit user AyThroughZee wrote that not only does the picture look AI generated, but, ‘This aesthetic also just comes off as trying to play catch up with other more cutting edge pop stars.’

The accusations come amid growing concern about the role of AI in music, with many worried that artificial intelligence is going to take jobs from artists and create music that is algorithmic and soulless.

While Perry’s cover is definitely edited – as is made obvious by the shock waves around the base of her feet – the same can be said for essentially any album cover or promo photo coming out today.

The single will be Perry’s first new music since 2022’s Where We Started, which featured US country artist Thomas Rhett, so there are plenty of eyes on Perry wondering if she’s going to be able to make the most of her comeback.

Some fans are more hopeful about the new era, with X user @khromehrtz writing: ‘The queen of bubblegum pop is back’ while @ISLANDBARBZZ simply posted: ‘COMING TO SAVE POP.’

Instagram user @alienpeachez agreed, writing: ‘This is too iconic to be a single cover. It should be the album cover.’

User @totally wrote: ‘SHE’S A GODDESS AND SHE KNOWS IT.’

Perry has had five UK number one singles over the years, including I Kissed A Girl, California Gurls and Roar, as well as two number one albums in Teenage Dream and Prism.

Her last album was 2020’s Smile which reached number five in the UK albums chart.

Her hotly anticipated new release will drop on Thursday July 11, before a video for the track premieres on Friday July 12.

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