CHOSEN ONE Why American Idol judge Katy Perry is a less surprising star at King Charles’ Coronation than people think, says expert

KATY Perry has ditched her American Idol duties by order of King Charles and dashed across the pond for his star-studded coronation concert.

While Katy has been known to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, a PR expert has said she’s set for a warm welcome in Windsor, given her “massive appeal.”

A reputation expert said that Katy Perry appeals to King Charles so he chose her for the star-studded coronation concert

A reputation expert said that Katy Perry appeals to King Charles so he chose her for the star-studded coronation concert
Credit: Getty
Katy has made collabs with controversial brands and designers (as seen here dressed as a chandelier at the 2019 Met Gala) said PR expert, Lauren Beeching

Katy has made collabs with controversial brands and designers (as seen here dressed as a chandelier at the 2019 Met Gala) said PR expert, Lauren BeechingCredit: Getty

Recently, King Charles’s coronation concert request list was rearranged given rejections from A-listers like Adele, Harry Styles, and the Spice Girls.

When the freshly-appointed king’s coronation team looked further afield, it was US celebs Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, 38, who stepped up to the plate.

Now the mom-of-one is to perform on stage at Windsor Castle in front of 20,000 people alongside Brit boyband Take That and opera sensation Andrea Bocelli.

But while many KatyCats will be thrilled to see their idol serenading the new British monarch, other pop lovers stateside might have questioned Charles’ choice.

In an exclusive interview, reputation expert Lauren Beeching told The U.S. Sun: “Katy’s appeal has already been there for King Charles so the choice for him would have been easy.

“To most people, Katy’s reputation is clean now, and she’s still known and loved globally.

“She’d promised to sing to the then Prince of Wales as she was named a new ambassador for his British Asian Trust.

“Because of this connection and their seemingly lovely relationship with one another, he was always a fan of Katy.

“The UK prime minister has also commented on her being chosen, but I’d never had Rishi Sunak down as a KatyCat.”

Katy’s massive pop career has seen her sell over 57 million albums globally, with legions of fans adoring every track.

She has amassed numerous accolades including Brits and Billboard awards, while securing a high-profile TV gig on American Idol and voicing a movie part in The Smurfs.

But the songwriter and TV star also appears to have managed some controversy through the years.

These range from alleged sexual assault to rumored feuds with Taylor Swift, a fashion faux pas or two, and others.

Katy has a huge music career and is headlining the coronation concert but has also managed scandal and controversy in the past

Katy has a huge music career and is headlining the coronation concert but has also managed scandal and controversy in the pastCredit: Getty

“Despite her batting off issues in the past, if you mention Katy Perry now, controversy wouldn’t be the first thing to come to mind,” said Lauren.

“For example, I Kissed a Girl came out in 2008, so it’s been 14 years, and she hasn’t ever been in a big crisis.

“Katy continues to have a massive appeal to a range of people of different ages across the world.

“Her music and performances are unique compared to other artists, and her Super Bowl performance showed this as well.

“She has also been incredibly smart in her collaborative songs with some relevant artists.

“Katy works hard to keep a positive and happy image.

“This makes it harder for people to dislike her despite any issues.

Katy became an American Idol judge in 2018 but has since faced allegations of bullying contestants on set

Katy became an American Idol judge in 2018 but has since faced allegations of bullying contestants on setCredit: ABC

“Otherwise, her worst reputation disaster before now would depend on who you ask.

“Taylor Swift and Britney Spears fans would express the feuds between the artists.

“There’s also her past collaborative decisions with seemingly controversial artists, brands, and designers.

“But Katy’s most damaging reputational risks perhaps address more serious allegations.

“Some are way back and even when she released her debut single.”

KISSING GIRLS

In 2008, Katy, then 23, shot to fame after her first single, I Kissed a Girl was released.

At the time the LGBTQ community said her track was homophobic.

While others didn’t like the song because it was about women kissing women, yet the video didn’t show the fact.

Katy performed I Kissed a Girl at the Grammys in 2009 but her track received considerable backlash at the time

Katy performed I Kissed a Girl at the Grammys in 2009 but her track received considerable backlash at the timeCredit: AFP

“This issue was seemingly when most people had just discovered Katy,” explained Lauren.

“Her reputation was overly optimistic at the start of her career and there was mild controversy surrounding this song.

“But that blew over incredibly fast and Katy fast became a vast and prevalent artist.”

In 2018 Katy told Glamour magazine if she could rewrite the breakthrough hit, she would.

She also admitted that the lyrics contained “a couple of stereotypes”.

RUSSELL & BLOOM

The Fireworks singer’s whirlwind marriage to British comedian Russell Brand ended in tears after a year when he dumped Katy via text.

Katy started dating Orlando Bloom in 2016. The Lord of the Rings star proposed on Valentine’s Day 2018.

Orlando and Katy have yet to tie the knot, but welcomed their first child Daisy Dove, in August 2020.

Katy married Russell Brand in 2010 after a whirlwind romance but the comedian ended the relationship via text a year later

Katy married Russell Brand in 2010 after a whirlwind romance but the comedian ended the relationship via text a year laterCredit: Getty

“With Russell and Katy’s snap marriage, this was generally accepted until Katy’s documentary came out,” added Lauren.

“This was probably damaging to Russell’s reputation more than Katy’s.

“In addition, she’s still incredibly beautiful, a huge selling point in the industry.

“Katy has also been somewhat open about her love life and even now with Orlando.”

In 2016 Orlando was photographed paddleboarding naked with Katy sitting in front wearing a bikini.

Four years after the Pirates of the Caribbean’s Med papp shot whipped up a storm online, Katy responded.

In 2020 she told Howard Stern: “Everywhere we looked, it was like everybody was naked, it was Europe. It was Italy. And I think he wanted to fit in with the locals, and it was the end of the trip,” she explained.

Katy can be open about her relationships which is what keeps people interested in her, says reputation expert, Lauren Beeching

Katy can be open about her relationships which is what keeps people interested in her, says reputation expert, Lauren BeechingCredit: Xposure

“The paddle boat image gave them harmless public attention, with mild scrutiny, ” explained Lauren.

“I think as a couple they come across well and Katy says they are happy together.

“This will forever draw people in and keep them interested.”

SWIFTIE ISSUES

Taylor Swift and Katy had always been good friends but by 2014 rumors circulated that they were arguing over their backup dancers.

Three had supposedly deserted Taylor’s Red album tour to work with Katy on her Prismatic tour.

That September Swift told Rolling Stone mag that her track Bad Blood was about another female pop star – leading some fans to suspect it was Katy.

Some of Taylor Swift's backing dancers reportedly went to work on Katy's Prismatic World Tour in 2014 causing a rift between the two singers

Some of Taylor Swift’s backing dancers reportedly went to work on Katy’s Prismatic World Tour in 2014 causing a rift between the two singersCredit: AP:Associated Press

“This was, of course, in the grand scheme of things, incredibly mellow,” explained Lauren.

“I feel fans of artists like Taylor Swift simply enjoy the drama and make ‘feuds’ into more significant things than they are.

“It’s lighthearted and easy PR for both involved.”

ALLEGED KISSES

Katy has been called out for alleged sexual misconduct in the past.

In 2018, she was accused of allegedly assaulting model Josh Kloss at a party after he’d worked with her on the 2010 music video Teenage Dream.

A Russian journalist also claimed that same summer that Perry had attempted to kiss her at a party.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2020, Perry said: “I don’t want to add to the noise. I want to add to the truth, basically.”

Of the allegations, she added: “I don’t comment on all the things that are said about me because if I chase that dragon, it would be about true and false-ing my whole life. It’s distracting from the real movement.”

Katy was accused of an alleged sexual assault in 2018 by model Josh Kloss who worked on her video Teenage Dream in 2010

Katy was accused of an alleged sexual assault in 2018 by model Josh Kloss who worked on her video Teenage Dream in 2010Credit: YouTube/katyperry

“This wasn’t a good time for Katy, and one that she still likely remembers,” said Lauren.

“From a PR perspective, I feel there wasn’t much more Katy’s team could have done with this.”

AMERICAN IDOL

A few sagas brewed on American Idol surrounding Katy, with one involving Season 21 contestant Sara Beth Liebe.

In April viewers were said to be stunned after watching Katy’s behavior towards the 25-year-old mom.

The contestant had told the judges she felt homesick and also that she was a mom of three.

Katy had said: “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much!”

Liebe left the show and went home to her family.

Katy was accused of mom-shaming a contestant in season 21 of the ABC talent show

Katy was accused of mom-shaming a contestant in season 21 of the ABC talent showCredit: ABC

“I think this will be forgotten in a week and wouldn’t necessarily impact her fan base in the UK.”

RACISM & ANTISEMITISM

Music producer Million Dollar Mano tweeted in 2013 that Katy had used the N-word at a nightclub in Paris.

In 2017, Katy opted to wear a dress at the Met Gala by the designer, John Galliano.

The designer had been fired from the brand in 2011 for an antisemitic rant.

Katy wore a John Galliano dress to the Met Gala in 2017 while he had been sacked for an antisemitic rant beforehand

Katy wore a John Galliano dress to the Met Gala in 2017 while he had been sacked for an antisemitic rant beforehandCredit: Getty

In 2019, Katy’s shoe brand pulled freshly-designed shoes after people said they resembled blackface.

The one pair had blue eyes with bright red lips on black leather.

At the time, Katy said her shoes, The Rue and The Ora had been “envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism”.

Katy's shoes from her footwear line were pulled after people slammed them for resembling blackface

Katy’s shoes from her footwear line were pulled after people slammed them for resembling blackfaceCredit: Dillard’s

In 2020, Katy was forced to apologize when she sported a head of cornrows for the video for This Is How We Do.

“This is her most severe case of reputation damage,” explained Lauren.

Katy wore cornrows in 2020 but later claimed she didn't realize her mistake and would educate herself

Katy wore cornrows in 2020 but later claimed she didn’t realize her mistake and would educate herselfCredit: Capitol Records

“This will most likely follow and be mentioned to her for the remainder of her career.”

In 2017 Katy addressed the cornrows and said: “I listened and I heard and I didn’t know, and I won’t ever understand some of those things because of who I am.”

The pop star added: “I will never understand, but I can educate myself and that’s what I’m trying to do along the way.”

PLAGIARISM

Katy’s huge hit, Roar, attracted significant criticism in 2013 when people spotted similarities with Sara Bareilles’ song, Brave.

At the time Katy’s producer told RadarOnline that Roar was written and recorded well before Brave was released.

Katy said on Twitter: “Secretly… I love how when I wrote #ROAR I was just trying to write a song about being a mega cat lady. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.”

Meanwhile, Sara and Katy became friends and even discussed the rumors.

“I feel most artists have an issue with plagiarism at some point in their career, but again, not a big deal,” said Lauren.

Katy released her music video Roar in 2013 but was later criticized for plagiarism

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Katy released her music video Roar in 2013 but was later criticized for plagiarismCredit: YouTube/katyperry

DAHMER DISASTER

A decade after the 2013 release of Dark Horse, Katy faced backlash over her lyrics given the ensuing Netflix series release.

The song features a verse by Juicy J that goes: “Uh, she’s a beast. I call her Karma.

“She eats your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer.”

“Katy got a lot of hateful mentions and anger,” added Lauren.

“The mention of Dahmer in her song ‘Dark Horse’ went viral.

“It was a mix of offense as anyone in the public eye who has ever mentioned Jeffrey Dahmer in the past was being scrutinized on platforms like TikTok.

“I feel Katy got away with this as the song is not new and it was not herself singing the line, it’s old and done essentially.”

Katy's Lyrics to the song Dark Horse references Jeffrey Dahmer which sparked criticism

Katy’s Lyrics to the song Dark Horse references Jeffrey Dahmer which sparked criticismCredit: Capitol Records
Katy dressed as a hamburger designed by Moschino at the Met Gala afterparty in 2019

Katy dressed as a hamburger designed by Moschino at the Met Gala afterparty in 2019Credit: Getty