Katy Perry is making waves on Instagram with her stunning bikini photos, seemingly to drum up attention for her latest single, Lifetimes. The 39-year-old pop star is working hard to steer the spotlight away from the struggles surrounding her previous comeback track, Woman’s World, which has reportedly failed to impress fans and critics alike. After a rocky start with her new music, Katy appears ready to reclaim her spot at the top of the charts.
Here’s a look at how the pop icon is trying to shift the narrative around her comeback, her latest fashion statement, and the growing challenges in her musical career.
This Wednesday, Katy Perry turned up the heat on Instagram, posting a series of beachside photos featuring her toned physique in a daring animal-print bikini. Posing against a picturesque ocean backdrop, the Firework singer looked relaxed and confident. She captioned her post with a hint of excitement, announcing, “LIFETIMES IS OUT TOMORROW AT 3PM PT AHHH.” This fresh single, Lifetimes, seems to be a move by Perry to overshadow the lukewarm reception of Woman’s World.
Perry’s fans were quick to flood the comments with praise, but sources say the Instagram post isn’t just about promoting Lifetimes—it’s also a calculated step to shift attention from the disappointing performance of her last single. The post comes right after Woman’s World had a lackluster debut on the charts, leaving Perry and her team strategizing on how to get her music back on track.
Despite her efforts, the buzz around Woman’s World hasn’t been positive. Released on July 11, the single’s underwhelming response has reportedly left Perry in a state of panic. According to insiders, she’s been vocal about her disappointment, pointing fingers at her team and others involved, rather than taking full responsibility herself.
“She’s freaking out because she’s aware of the negative feedback Woman’s World is getting,” a source close to the pop star told DailyMail.com. “Instead of looking inward, she’s blaming everyone around her.”
With the single dropping rapidly on the iTunes charts, Katy has allegedly asked her team to go back to the drawing board to prevent her upcoming album from facing a similar fate. The pop star seems determined to redeem herself, yet her approach appears to have caused tension within her circle. While Katy is urgently working on a new plan to keep her music relevant, some fans wonder if her choice of collaborators might be a part of the problem.
One of the most controversial aspects of Perry’s recent music release is her decision to collaborate with Dr. Luke, the producer known for creating several of her biggest early hits, including I Kissed a Girl and California Gurls. Dr. Luke, whose real name is Łukasz Gottwald, has been mired in scandal due to a high-profile legal battle with singer Kesha. Kesha’s allegations of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse against Dr. Luke, including claims of rape, rocked the music industry. Dr. Luke has denied all allegations, and in a 2020 ruling, a judge decided that Kesha had defamed him, a decision later upheld by an appeals court in 2021.
While some Perry fans argue that her involvement with Dr. Luke might stem from contractual obligations, Perry herself has confirmed she is no longer legally bound to him. During a 2018 deposition related to Kesha’s case, Perry disclosed that her contract with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records was limited to a three-album deal. She admitted that she was aware of the potential backlash from working with him again, saying, “Working with him at this moment would not be received well because of this lawsuit.”
In 2023, Perry and her team were reportedly advised to avoid collaboration with Dr. Luke for her latest album, yet the Roar singer chose to ignore this advice. An insider shared, “She was insane to think Dr. Luke was a good idea. She didn’t listen to anyone.” The source also claimed that Perry’s latest release sounds like a throwback to her older music rather than showcasing any creative evolution. Some fans and insiders alike wonder if her reliance on a familiar collaborator may have hindered her musical growth.
Adding to the buzz surrounding her comeback, Perry has faced recent scrutiny over her appearance. Following the release of the cover art for Woman’s World and a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot, fans began speculating that Perry may have turned to Ozempic, a popular weight-loss drug among celebrities. The speculation comes as Perry unveiled a noticeably toned figure, sparking curiosity among her followers.
