Spanish officials are investigating singer Katy Perry for allegedly filming a music video in the ecologically sensitive dunes of the Balearic Islands without the required permission.
The video for her latest single, Lifetimes, features Perry enjoying beaches and partying at clubs on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. However, some scenes, believed to be filmed in the protected dunes on S’Espalmador in Formentera, have raised concerns.
According to a statement from the Spanish government, the production company responsible for the video did not seek the necessary permissions. Katy Perry has not commented on the matter.
Officials emphasized that Katy Perry is not under investigation for “crimes against the environment,” noting that filming in the area can be authorized if proper procedures are followed.
On Tuesday, the environment department of the Balearic Islands issued a press release claiming that the production company failed to secure the necessary authorization before filming. As a result, “preliminary investigation actions have been initiated.”
The department highlighted a section of the Natural Resources Management Plan, which requires express authorization from the ministry for the environment for any “photographic, cinematographic, or videographic” work intended for “advertising or commercial exhibition.”
The video for Lifetimes includes footage of the dune system of S’Espalmador, one of Formentera’s most ecologically significant areas.
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.
