Katy Perry Defends “Woman’s World” Video Against Male Gaze Claims

Katy Perry Responds to Backlash Over “Woman’s World” Single

Katy Perry reacts to reviewers who trashed her new single, “Woman’s World.” The song marks the first since 2021, leading critics to respond negatively to collaborations with music producer Dr. Luke, accused of sexual abuse and alleged anti-feminist content.

Observers charged that the music video catered to the male gaze, portraying Perry and other women as provocative construction workers, just before an anvil crushes her, rebirthing her into a new version of herself.

She responded with a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram and captioned it, “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING! EVEN SATIRE!” In the video, she explained, “We’re just having fun being a bit sarcastic. It’s very slapstick and on the nose.”

She elaborated, “With this set, it’s like, ‘Oooh, we’re not about the male gaze, but we really are about the male gaze,’ and we’re overplaying it because I’m about to get smashed.” She said it’s a reset for her and her idea of the feminine divine, and there’s a whole different world after this. Despite all of her explanations, that single has received extremely harsh criticism. The Guardian called it “pandering nonsense,” Pitchfork said it’s a “monumental catastrophe,” and The Cut described it as “so forgettable” and “so cringe.”