" It ’s like , ' ooh , we ’re like , we ’re not about the manlike regard , but we really are about the male gaze . ' "
Warning: Discussion of rape.
Katy Perry’s “Woman’s World” has received considerable criticism online, and her response only seemed to stoke the flames.
On Thursday, the “Woman’s World"music videowas met with immediatebacklash, which was anticipated based on the reaction to the song’s promotion.
The song includes images/phrases like “Rosie the Riveter” and “Feminine Divine,” and people were critical of its apparently satirical messaging.
Honestly, it feels very JoJo Siwa-coded to me.
But, I feel like that comparison might be a “chicken or the egg” conversation.
Ultimately, the “Sexy, confident / So intelligent / She is heaven-sent / So soft, so strong” lyrics were overshadowed by the backlash against the song’s producer Lukasz Gottwald aka “Dr. Luke,” who is the same producerKeshaaccusedof raping and drugging her. Dr. Luke has denied the allegations.
It might be relevant to this discussion to note that besides Dr. Luke, the music video’s producers, executive producers, creative directors, and almost everyone save the fashion director and second AD are men. So, in my opinion, the criticism of this female empowerment “satirical” music video isn’t far-fetched.
Aside from criticism of her collaboration with Dr. Luke, people called out visuals for missing the mark on what a “Woman’s World” should look like.
In response to the initial backlash, Katyposteda video on Instagram further explaining the music video, and based on the reactions, it wasn’t well-received. “We’re kind of just having fun being a bit sarcastic with it,” Katy said. “It’s very slapstick and very on the nose, and with this set, it’s like, ‘ooh, we’re like, we’re not about the male gaze, but we really are about the male gaze.'”
“And we’re really overplaying it and on the nose because we’re about to get smashed which is like a reset, a reset for me, and a reset for my idea of feminine divine. And it’s a whole different world we go to after this.”
Here’s what folks had to say about the music video and Katy’s behind-the-scenes “satire” explanation:
“Without any discernible critique of the system that creates the circumstances ostensibly being ‘satirized’ in the first place, it isn’t ‘satire,’ it’s just aimless caricature,” one user wrote.
Without any discernible critique of the system that create the circumstances ostensibly being “ satirized ” in the first place , it is n’t " satire , " it ’s just floating caricature .
Another person challenged Katy’s satirical reveal, saying, “The bit doesn’t work,” if you have to give that deep of explanation.
“This feels like a parody of feminism gone wrong,” another user wrote.
Some people think it seems “like a weird SNL sketch.”
Based on the music video credits, this person hit the bedazzled nail on the head.
This user wrote, “A woman’s empowerment song produced by Dr. Luke. Call Alanis Morissette bc this shit ironic.”
Another user called out not only Katy Perry but her alleged fan base for encouraging these types of videos.
Katy’s satire of “girlboss feminism” isn’t working, according to some people.
Finally, this person called Katy out, and then we hilariously caught a stray.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call theNational Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local centerhere.
