10 years ago, Katy Perry was one of the brightest “main pop girls” in the music world. A decade later, she has become a “stranger” on the music charts.
From “Witness” to a Victim of the Spotlight
In 2017, Katy Perry released Witness—her fifth studio album, and arguably the peak of her career so far. Thanks to the massive success of Prism—an album released three years earlier—the sales of Witness were still solid, especially with Katy and her team investing heavily in promotion. Witness explored music styles not typically associated with Katy, offering a raw, dark, and somewhat complex sound. Some of the songs, like Chained to the Rhythm, Bon Appétit, and Swish Swish, carried negative undertones.
“Chained to the Rhythm” had a disco vibe with mid-tempo beats and lyrics that critiqued a materialistic world. Bon Appétit was bolder, featuring catchy Eurodisco beats, but the controversial imagery surrounding its promotion caused quite a stir. Katy’s transformation, cutting off her long black hair and adopting a completely different look, raised eyebrows. Was this shift part of the reason her image was distorted in the music industry, and even among fans?
“Bon Appétit” The period between Prism and Witness wasn’t just marked by success and material gain but also by psychological struggles that Katy shared during livestreams. The media began speculating that Katy was being “bullied” by powerful industry figures, those who could manipulate the entertainment sector. The release of Bon Appétit seemed to confirm such rumors, with its “food” metaphors and scenes of Katy being “tortured” on a kitchen counter, possibly symbolizing how the music industry and the media treat female stars. These images sparked a negative reaction, with some interpreting it as a metaphor for the exploitation of women.
“Swish Swish” The peak of Katy’s controversies came with Swish Swish, a song that many speculated was a veiled diss track aimed at Taylor Swift. At the time, Katy was still a major competitor to Taylor, with a large fanbase. Taylor even shared that she needed to avoid Katy to avoid unnecessary conflict, and Swish Swish seemed like a direct challenge.
The Decline: From Superstar to Underdog
After these incidents, Katy Perry’s career began to spiral downward. Despite her marriage to actor Orlando Bloom, the birth of her child, and focusing on family life, she never managed to regain her former glory in the music industry, particularly in North America. From being a “witness” to the darker side of the industry, Katy had become a “victim” of the media.
The Fall of Katy Perry
Many factors contributed to Katy’s decline. Aside from the media’s scrutiny of her personal struggles, she lost the aura of a true pop star, much like Britney Spears did before her. While other “main pop girls” have thrived by keeping their private lives intact and maintaining a consistent image, Katy seemed to have lost her way.
“Smile”—A Desperate Attempt to Regain Her Fame
Katy’s album Smile seemed like a desperate attempt to recapture the glory of her past, but it was criticized for being inconsistent. Despite this, Katy Perry and her team recognized the need for a more cohesive sound, but whether they can achieve success with this formula remains unclear.
“Woman’s World”—Another Misstep?
Many critics believe Katy Perry made another misstep with the release of Woman’s World, the lead single from her sixth album, 143, which was released on September 20. The song, a feminist anthem with outdated lyrics and a rushed production, did not resonate with the public. Additionally, the involvement of Dr. Luke in the album’s production has been controversial, as he was previously accused of sexual abuse by Kesha.
“143” and the Lack of Success
Despite the consistent Europop and dance-pop sound on 143, the album’s success has been disappointing, with sales barely reaching 40,000 units. While some tracks like Crush and Nirvana offered positive moments, they weren’t enough to revive Katy’s career.
The Struggle to Find a New Identity
At this point, Katy Perry’s music career seems to be at a crossroads. While her past achievements cannot be denied, her recent work has failed to reignite her previous success. Fans are still supportive, but the question remains: can Katy reinvent herself and reclaim her place at the top?
The Future of Katy Perry
Despite the setbacks, Katy Perry still has a strong fanbase that continues to support her. Recent events, such as her receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the VMAs, have shown that her influence in pop music is still recognized. If Katy were to leave Capitol Records and sign with a new label, a fresh perspective and creative freedom might help her make a comeback in the music industry. Only time will tell if she can rise from the ashes and reclaim her status as a pop icon.
