She had just made her big comeback and now she is in turmoil. Singer Katy Perry is in the sights of the Spanish justice system after filming the video for her latest single, Lifetimesin a protected area of the Balearic archipelago.
Investigation underway for “environmental reasons”
The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment confirmed earlier this week that the star’s footage was being investigated by Spanish authorities for environmental reasons. The latter must assess the possible damage to the archipelago’s natural heritage.
Released on August 8, the clip features the singer of California girls partying and dancing in Ibiza, but also on the very fragile dunes of the islet of s’Espalmador, located to the north of the island of Formentera. Dunes which, in addition to being part of the protected area of the Ses Salines Natural Park, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and are considered the most intact site in the Balearic Islands.
A “verbal authorization”
Still, Katy Perry’s team insists they did everything by the book. “On July 22, our local crew applied for a permit for this specific location from the Directorate General of Coasts and Littoral,” the singer’s label said in a statement. “Our crew received verbal permission on July 26 to continue filming on July 27. We have complied with all regulations related to filming in this area and have the utmost respect for this location and the officials charged with protecting it.”
But the government does not share this opinion: “In no case did the production company request authorization from the regional ministry to carry out the filming,” the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment stated in a press release.
A first anti-feminist single?
A second bad start for the pop star, before the launch of her latest album 143September 20, four years later Smile. Because there was actually a first one: the video for the first track on the album, Woman’s Worldhas also created controversy. While it is intended to be a “feminist anthem”, the clip has been criticized for its ultra-sexualized outfits and shots and for the fact that it is produced by Dr. Luke, accused of sexual violence, notably against the artist Kesha.
