Katy Perry Under Investigation For Recent Music Video Shoot

Katy Perry’s “Lifetimes” music video is now under investigation after the clip was filmed in the protected dunes of S’Espalmador in Spain's Balearic Islands.

The Environment Department of the Balearic Islands revealed on Tuesday that the production crew failed to get the necessary permits before shooting the video, which was released on August 8.

Now, authorities are looking into whether the Katy Perry music video shoot caused any environmental damage to this ecologically sensitive area.

The stunning Stillz-directed video, featuring Katy Perry living it up in Ibiza and Formentera, includes scenes of her frolicking on the beach and partying at a club.

The regional government's Department of the Environment is now investigating Perry's latest music video, claiming the production crew was unauthorized to shoot on-site, according to TMZ.

The big issue? The video appears to have been filmed right in the heart of the protected dunes on S'Espalmador, an area renowned for its significant ecological value.

In the music video, it’s clear the dunes are roped off, marking them as a protected area, yet Katy Perry is right in the middle, surrounded by a camera crew, a production team, and a ton of equipment.

The Environmental Department is now launching a preliminary investigation to see if any rules were broken. Per The Independent, the Balearic Islands’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment said that the production company responsible for the video had failed to request “authorization from the Regional Ministry to carry out the filming.”

“That is why preliminary investigation actions have been initiated,” it added.

Right next to the renowned Ses Illetes beach in Formentera, the dunes of S’Espalmador are a pristine ecological treasure in the Balearic Islands. According to the Balearic regional government, this private islet, which is part of the Ses Salines de Ibiza and Formentera Natural Park, boasts some of the best-preserved dunes in the area.

S’Espalmador stretches roughly 1.8 miles long and 800 meters wide, making it a significant environmental gem since it was designated a protected park in 1980.

The department clarified that while Perry's actions aren’t considered a “crime against the environment,” they view it as an infringement. They later noted that general photography and filming can be authorized in the area, but proper permits are required--something Perry seemingly did not have.

“Lifetimes” is the second single from Katy Perry’s highly anticipated seventh album," 143," dropping on September 20. Katy Perry has yet to comment on the investigation.

While Katy Perry is under scrutiny for filming her “Lifetimes” music video in a potentially restricted area, it looks like she’s not the only A-lister making the most of their Ibiza getaway. Will Smith is also soaking up the sun and sounds on the Spanish island.

The actor took over a posh hotel’s recording studio in northern Ibiza for his latest track, and he’s not keeping it a secret. Smith, who has over 70 million followers on Instagram, shared his Ibiza experience with a reel titled “Ibiza Sunset Vibes.”

The clip shows him rapping and singing, hanging with friends, and soaking up the stunning sunset.

“Lifetimes,” produced by Dr. Luke and Vaughn Oliver, is the second single from Katy Perry's upcoming album "143," dropping September 20.

Following her 2020 album Smile, Perry describes “Lifetimes” as an ode to eternal love, emphasizing that soulmates can appear in many forms, whether it’s a partner, a child, or even a pet.

“It is funny how sometimes you’re looking for your soulmate in a partner. It could be a dog, your mom, your best friend, your cat...but for me it came in the form of Daisy,” she said, per Forbes. “I wrote ‘Lifetimes’ about her. Every night, before we go to sleep, I say, ‘I love you,’ and then I ask, ‘Will you find me in every lifetime?’ and she says, ‘Yes.’”

“This record is super high energy, it’s super summer, it’s very high BPM,” she continued. “We just had a family dance party to one of the songs, and it’s just full of so much joy, so much love, so much light.”