"All necessary permits for the video were secured" — Capitol Records issues statement over Katy Perry's Lifetimes MV dispute

Katy Perry’s latest music video Lifetimes has made its way to the headlines, not because of the number of views but because of allegedly failing to meet shooting protocols. The crew of the video’s production company was reportedly being investigated as it failed to receive proper permission to shoot the video on an environmentally-protected sea beach in Spain.

As per Variety, a spokesperson from Capitol Records stated that authorization was sought to shoot the video. The local crew had already applied to seek permission on July 22. However, verbal permission was received four days later and the shooting began on July 27.

“The local video production company assured us that all necessary permits for the video were secured. We have since learned that one permit was in process, although we were given verbal authority to go ahead”, the spokesperson said.

The person also added that they had abided by all the regulations required to shoot in that area. Katy Perry’s Lifetimes was shot at Ses Salines Nature Park. The location includes many Spanish islands. Moreover, the video has shots of the S’Espalmador island’s dune system. According to the Environmental Department of the Balearic Islands in Spain, although the video shoot did not commit any environmental crime, the crew failed to obtain authorization to do the same.

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Lifetimes is Katy Perry’s second single

The music video was on the singer’s YouTube channel on August 9. It featured the singer singing and dancing with others on the beach. Lifetimes is also Katy Perry’s second single for the upcoming album 143. It was released a month after another song by her, Woman’s World. Concerning her newly-released music video, the singer said:

“Lifetimes is a song about eternal love. It’s about finding that one deep and satisfying love of your life. A soulmate doesn’t always have to come in the form of a partner—it can come in all different ways, a child, a best friend, a pet. For me, it is my daughter—I ask her every night, ‘Will you find me in every lifetime?’ She says, ‘Yes,’ and I feel found. You’ll find each other, over and over again, for lifetimes.”

Perry’s new single has reportedly not performed well since its release. It opened at 198 out of 200 on the list of top tracks. The album 143 will be released on September 20. It is her first album to be released in the last four years.

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However, Katy Perry’s 143 has also faced controversy. Lifetimes and Woman’s World were produced by Dr. Luke. The producer faced a lawsuit from singer Kesha, on grounds of r*pe and emotional abuse. Despite that, the singer’s decision to work with the producer has faced several criticisms from media outlets and renowned celebrities. Some have said that working with abusive producers allows these men to get away with their offenses.