After learning that Katy Perry was being investigated over the potential environmental impact of her “Lifetimes” video in Spain, a spokesperson for the singer told Rolling Stone Wednesday that she was “given verbal authority” to film at the protected dunes of S’Espalmador.
“The local video production company assured us that all necessary permits for the video were secured,” a Capitol Records spokesperson told Rolling Stone. “We have since learned that one permit was in process, although we were given verbal authority to go ahead.”
“Our local crew on July 22 applied for a permit for this specific location with the Directorate-General For Coasts And Coastline. Our crew received verbal approval on July 26 to proceed with the filming on July 27,” the spokesperson added. “We adhered to all regulations associated with filming in this area and have the utmost respect for this location and the officials tasked with protecting it.”
The Environmental Department of the Balearic Islands launched a probe of Perry’s music video Tuesday after her production company seemingly failed to request proper approval for filming in the region. The department said at the time that the filming did not constitute a “crime against the environment,” as a company simply must request authorization from the environment department before photo or video use.
S’Espalmador is located within the Ses Salines de Ibiza and Formentera Natural Park, and is home to the “best-preserved dune system of the Balearic Islands” which hold “great ecological value,” according to the Balearic Islands tourism website.
“Lifetimes” is the second single off of Perry’s upcoming album, 143, set to release Sept. 20. In the video for the single, she revealed the album’s track list, which includes collaborations with Doechii, Kim Petras, and 21 Savage.
The singer received backlash for the album’s lead single “Woman’s World,” with some listeners alleging the track appealed to the male gaze despite its empowering lyrics. She also received criticism for working with producer Dr. Luke, who is credited on a preview of “Lifetime.”
“Thanks to its brain-dead lyrics (‘sexy, confident/ so intelligent’), AI-like chorus, and Perry’s startlingly tone-deaf choice to record a ‘feminist’ song with the likes of Dr. Luke, the song prompted near-universal mockery, and instantly flopped,” Rolling Stone’s Brian Hiatt wrote in a commentary.
This story was updated on Aug. 14 at 8:54 p.m. ET to include a response from a spokesperson from Katy Perry’s label Capitol Records.
