Critics called Katy Perry a “hypocrite” for collaborating with producer Dr. Luke—who’s been accused of sexual assault by singer Kesha—on a feminist song.
Topline
Katy Perry’s single “Woman’s World”—her long-awaited return to music—has been clouded with bad reviews and controversy after the pop star was called a “hypocrite” for collaborating with embattled producer Dr. Luke, who was sued by singer Kesha for sexual assault, though he’s denied the allegation.Key Facts
On the song—which was released Thursday ahead of the September debut of her new album “143”—Perry sings lyrics that nod to women’s empowerment, like “It’s a woman’s world and you’re lucky to be livin’ in it,” and “Fire in her eyes/ Feminine divine/ She was born to shine.”
However, “Woman’s World” has been met with several bad reviews and mixed feelings from fans online who called the song outdated, and criticized her for working with Lukasz Gottwald, known as Dr. Luke.
The Guardian gave the single one star out of five and criticized the song and its accompanying music video, calling them a “dated attempt at writing a feminist anthem about how women really can have it all.”
The Cut called Perry’s rollout for her new album “143” “desperate,” adding the song makes her seem like she’s stuck in 2016 “in a la-di-dah dimension in which…‘Male Tears’ mugs make bank on Etsy.”
Vulture said Dr. Luke’s presence “negates the song’s entire message” of feminism, and fans can “hear more compelling takes on womanhood” from new songs by other artists like Billie Eilish, Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande.
