Will Katy Perry Lose Fans Over Dr. Luke Collab? Gay Twitter Has Some Thoughts

Is Katy Perry risking alienating her fans by working with producer Dr. Luke on a "female empowerment" anthem despite allegations that Dr. Luke was abusive to Kesha? People in her orbit fear the answer to that is yes, and gay Twitter seemed to confirm the likelihood.

Perry "ignored pleas from her team to not reconnect with Dr. Luke for her musical comeback," UK newspaper the Daily Mail reported, "sparking furious tensions ahead of the release of her new album - which features the 'empowering' upcoming single Woman's World."

Last year, Dr. Luke "was accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse" in a legal dispute with Kesha, the Mail recalled, "with Kesha alleging that Perry, 39, was also a victim – something she denied."

"Kesha and Dr. Luke were locked in a bitter legal battle for nearly a decade from 2014 after she accused him of drugging and raping her back in 2005," the Mail backgrounded. "In 2016, she also publicly accused him of raping Perry."

Dr. Luke responded to the accusations with a defamation suit, and Perry, for her part, "denied that Dr. Luke raped her in a deposition," the Mail recollected.

In the end, the Mail noted, a "New York state judge ruled against Kesha in 2020, saying she had defamed her former producer with the claim, and an appeals court upheld that decision in 2021."

Fast forward to today, and the producer "has been listed as a co-producer on Perry's upcoming single," the news article added, "prompting fury from fans who questioned how she can reconnect with the songwriter to promote female empowerment."

The news outlet said "a source" had relayed that "many fans are already turning on Katy before she's even released new music because Dr. Luke worked on this album with her."

Added the source, "She is trying to promote it on female empowerment – but working with Dr. Luke screams the opposite."

The source cited other ways in with Perry is allegedly determined to do things her way.

Perry, the source said, "was also advised to tone down the sex appeal – but she is ramping it up."

The source also claimed that cash was the reason for Perry's alleged obstinance.

"All of this comes after she sold her entire catalogue for money," the site quoted the source as saying. "This album isn't about her showing how she is growing as an artist or her 'new era' – it's about a paycheck now that she's done with 'American Idol.'"

Added the outlet: "Perry and Dr. Luke previously collaborated on her hit singles including 2008's 'I Kissed a Girl,' 2010's 'California Gurls' and 2013's 'Roar.'"

Some on Twitter critiqued Perry, while a few sought to defend her.

Some Twitter users speculated on how Perry's work with Dr. Luke affected Kesha. One claimed that Kesha was "being forced to relive the trauma" of her alleged abuse at his hands, while TMZ posted video of what looked like Kesha being approached in a parking area for comment.

One Twitter user wondered why Kesha, and not Dr. Luke, was being asked for comment on the collab.

Will the collab cause Katy Perry to lose fans? Time will tell.