Katy Perry is addressing the recent criticism she’s faced for working with controversial producer Dr. Luke on her latest album 143. In a candid conversation during Wednesday’s episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the 39-year-old pop star broke her silence on the matter, explaining her decision to collaborate with him despite the ongoing controversy surrounding his name.
Fans have expressed disappointment in Perry for continuing to work with Dr. Luke, who has been embroiled in a highly publicized legal battle with fellow singer Kesha. Kesha accused the producer of sexual assault and emotional abuse in 2014, sparking years of courtroom drama and public scrutiny. This backstory led many to question why Perry, known for her female empowerment anthems, would choose to reteam with him for her new album.
Addressing the topic head-on, Perry responded to a question from host Alex Cooper, who referenced the “disappointment” from some of Perry’s fans over her decision. Cooper asked why Perry decided to collaborate with Dr. Luke again, after previously working with him on major hits like “California Gurls” and “Dark Horse.” These are songs that helped define Perry’s career, but also tie her legacy to the producer who has faced years of controversy.
“Look, I understand that it started a lot of conversations, and he was one of many collaborators that I worked with,” Perry began. “But the reality is, it comes from me. The truth is, I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis, and he was one of the people to help facilitate all that, one of the writers, one of the producers.”
Perry continued by pointing to the album’s lead single, “Woman’s World,” which Dr. Luke produced. The track has been marketed as a female empowerment anthem, making the collaboration even more controversial for some listeners. Perry explained that her perspective on the song comes from her own experience as a woman, particularly her growth as a mother.
“I am speaking from my own experience,” she shared. “When I speak about ‘Woman’s World,’ I speak about feeling so empowered now as a mother, as a woman, giving birth, creating life, creating another set of organs, a brain, a heart. I created a whole ass heart, and I did it, and I’m still doing it, and I’m still a matriarch and feeling really grounded in that. That’s where I’m speaking from.”
Perry emphasized that 143 was a collaborative effort involving multiple producers and writers, including those she’s worked with since her early career, like in the Teenage Dream era. “I created all of this with several different collaborators, including people that I’ve collaborated with from the past,” she said.
As for her musical approach, Perry made it clear that she’s always strived to be authentic in her artistry. “I’ve always been authentic in trying different genres and investigating different sounds,” she explained. “I don’t think I’ve ever been inauthentic in what I do. I just do what makes me happy, what resonates with me, and what gives me those chill bumps.”
Perry added that she no longer feels pressured to prove anything with her music. “I don’t feel like I have to make music. I don’t feel like I have to prove anything. I’m doing it now from a place of celebration and love.”
While Perry’s decision to work with Dr. Luke has sparked conversation, she is far from the only pop star to continue collaborating with the producer since Kesha’s allegations. Over the past decade, artists such as Kim Petras, Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Lopez, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga have all released music that Dr. Luke has worked on.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Luke began in 2014 when Kesha filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and emotional abuse. He has repeatedly denied the allegations and countersued Kesha for defamation. In 2016, a judge dismissed Kesha’s case, citing a lack of merit in her claims and the expiration of the statute of limitations. Despite this, Kesha continued her legal battle, while Dr. Luke worked to clear his name.
In June 2023, after nearly a decade of legal disputes, Kesha and Dr. Luke reached a settlement. In a joint statement, Kesha wrote, “Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened. I am looking forward to closing the door on this chapter of my life and beginning a new one.”
Dr. Luke added, “While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005, I am absolutely certain that nothing happened. I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone.”
As Perry’s 143 album approaches its release date on September 20, the conversations about her decision to collaborate with Dr. Luke will likely continue. However, Perry seems resolute in her belief that she is creating music from an authentic place of empowerment, celebration, and artistic freedom.
