Katy Perry‘s latest album, 143, has been anything but smooth-sailing. Even before it was released, fans criticized one of the album’s biggest collaborators, Dr. Luke. Then, when songs like “Woman’s World” came out, Perry was in hot water again because of the song’s lyrics and its head-scratching music video. And, according to new experts, Perry’s been trying to dig herself out of the hole ever since.
“Katy is seeing that she may not be able to recover from this and she is blaming everyone but herself,” a source recently told Daily Mail. “This was like a train wreck in slow motion. Everyone saw it coming. But it was ultimately her idea to hire Dr. Luke.”
As reminder, Dr. Luke is a famous music producer in Hollywood who was sued by fellow singer Kesha for sexual assault in 2014. The case, as well as Dr. Luke’s defamation case against her, reached an undisclosed settlement in 2023.
Per the sources, Perry then looked to her fiancé Orlando Bloom for some good PR amid the backlash. “She has tried to sell it with her sexuality and use Orlando to help promote it with jokes about their sex life,” the source said.
In an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, for example, the “Teenage Dream” singer got surprisingly candid about their sex life. “If I come downstairs and the kitchen is clean, and you’ve done it all, and you’ve done all the dishes, and you’ve closed all the pantry doors, you better be ready to get your d– sucked,” Perry said, per The New York Post. “That is my love language!”
For the PR experts, however, the plan to have fans fawning over their relationship only added to her many plans that backfired. “She thought that the less clothes she wears and the raunchier she is the more publicity 143 would get,” the source said.
Nevertheless, it seems Bloom was happy to give Perry the support she needed. “She loves with her whole heart, and it’s kind of irresistible,” the actor said of Perry before she accepted the Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 VMAs. “I see it reflected everywhere; in our home, in her love for her work, but especially in her love for her fans. Congratulations on this honor, baby, I’m so proud of you. 1-4-3. Ladies and gentleman, your 2024 MTV video vanguard: Katheryn Hudson, Katy Perry.”
So while the PR strategy might’ve not worked, luckily Perry has him to rely on.
Before you go, click here to see all of the celebrity couples who aren’t afraid of some PDA:
