Spain probes Katy Perry video over protected sand dunes
Officials in Spain are investigating singer Katy Perry, for allegedly filming a music video in ecologically sensitive sand dunes in the Balearic Islands without permission.
The video for her latest single Lifetimes shows the singer enjoying beaches and partying in clubs on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera.
But scenes believed to have been filmed in the middle of the protected dunes on the isle of S’Espalmador in Formentera have raised concern.
A statement from the Spanish government alleged that the production company responsible for the video had not sought permission. Katy Perry has not commented.
Officials stressed that Katy Perry was not under investigation for what it called “crimes against the environment”, as filming can be authorized in the area.
The environment department of the Balearic Islands issued a press release on Tuesday, claiming that the video’s production company did not secure the necessary authorization before filming.
As a result, their release said, “preliminary investigation actions have been initiated”.
The department drew attention to one section of the Natural Resources Management Plan, which states that “photographic, cinematographic or videographic” reports for an “advertising or commercial exhibition purpose” requires express authorization of the ministry for the environment.
The video for Lifetimes includes shots of the dune system of S’Espalmador, one of the most ecologically rich areas of Formentera.
S’Espalmador is an uninhabited islet located to the north of Formentera, and is approximately 1.8 miles long.
It has been part of the Ses Salines de Ibiza and Formentera natural park since 1980.
The dunes on the small, privately owned island are of “great ecological value”, according to the regional government’s tourism website.
BBC News has contacted production company WeOwnTheCity, and representatives for Katy Perry, for comment.
It follows a shaky album campaign for the singer, who is releasing her seventh album 143 in September.
The first single from the upcoming project, Woman’s World, was critically panned and failed to make an impact on the charts, with many feeling its feminist messaging was out of touch.
The Guardian asked “what regressive, warmed-over hell is this?”, The Cut stated that “Perry is stuck in 2016”, and Rolling Stone raised the question: “Did Katy Perry release the worst comeback single of all time?”
Follow-up single Lifetimes has also been produced by Dr Luke who Perry has been criticised for working with.
Singer Kesha sued Dr Luke in 2014, seeking to void their contract because, her lawyers claimed, he had “sexually, physically, verbally, and emotionally abused [Kesha] to the point where [she] nearly lost her life”.
Dr Luke denied the claims. They reached an agreement to settle a years-long defamation lawsuit last year.
