Katy Perry's 'lifetimes' video under fire for illegal filming

The government of the Spanish Balearic Islands stated that they are investigating how Katy Perry's music video for the song "Lifetimes" was shot on a small, legally protected island without the necessary permits. The video, published on August 8, included shots of the S'Espalmador dune system, one of the most ecologically valuable areas of Formentera Island. On August 13, the Balearic Environmental Department issued a press release announcing the start of an investigation.

In a statement, the Balearic authorities emphasized that the music video company did not obtain the appropriate permit before filming. A spokesperson for Katy Perry's label, Unsub Records, told the newspaper "Metro": "The local video production company assured us that all necessary permits for the production had been obtained." He added, "In the meantime, we learned that one of the permits was in the process of being issued, although we had received verbal authorization to continue the work."

The "Lifetimes" music video follows Perry as she boards a ferry to the Spanish island wearing a T-shirt with the words Eurotrash, where she dances in a leopard-print bikini on sandy dunes by the beach and then heads to a "local club." S'Espalmador is an uninhabited islet located north of Formentera, with just under 2 miles long. Since 1980, it has been part of the natural park Ses Salines de Ibiza and Formentera.

"Lifetimes" is the second single from Katy Perry's new album "143," which is set to be released on September 20. The first single from the album, "Women's World," also sparked controversy. Promoted as having a "feminist" message, the song and video surprised music critics and the general public with a lack of sensitivity. A reviewer from "The Guardian" gave it one star and commented: "I felt dumber every time I listened to it." "Dazed" magazine summarized: "'Women's World' is about as empowering as a Vagisil commercial." Vagisil is a line of intimate hygiene products often criticized for promoting scented lines.

Earlier, Katy Perry also faced criticism when it was revealed that Dr. Luke worked on her new album. Music producer Łukasz Gottwald, known as "Dr. Luke," was accused in 2014 of long-term sexual abuse by singer Kesha. Even Perry's loyal fans found it difficult to understand this collaboration in light of the singer's message about the album: "I became a mother and felt really connected to my female divinity."

Source: metro.co.uk