Zara Larsson has expressed her frustration with artists who continue to work with Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, despite the controversies and serious allegations against the disgraced record producer. Although she did not name anyone specifically, fans are convinced it was a jab at Katy Perry, whose 2024 single — titled “Woman’s World” — was produced by Gottwald. In the song, Perry glorifies women with a feminist message that failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike. Some have even accused the “Roar” singer of performative feminism. Given the track’s lyrics, many fans believe Perry is the artist the Swedish singer was referring to in her recent comments.
On an episode of Rolling Stone Music Now podcast (via Billboard), the “Lush Life” singer revealed she simply couldn’t understand why other artists are still collaborating with the music producer, especially given the accusations he has faced over the past few years. “I’m like, why? There’s a million other people. Is it really, really important for him to come back? I don’t think so,” said Larsson, asserting that singers must align their actions with the message of their work. She continued:
“I personally wouldn’t do it, because what is he gonna do for me or for anyone else? I think that the most powerful thing you can do is to actually put your money where your mouth is and work with women and hire women and do all of that. So I think that’s way more powerful than writing a feminist anthem with someone who is not really standing for those values.”
Pop singer Kesha sued Gottwald in 2014 for “physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse over a 10-year period,” alleging that the music producer drugged and raped her while she was unconscious at a 2005 party. The “TikTok” hitmaker said that the producer caused her “severe depression, post-traumatic stress, social isolation, and panic attacks.” Gottwald denied the allegations, and their lengthy legal battle was settled in 2023. The once-celebrated producer, however, struggles to rebuild his reputation.
Several artists have recently partnered with the producer despite his troubled public image. This includes Perry, who, just last year, released a single advertised as a feminist anthem. Called “Woman’s World,” the song features the words “heaven-sent,” “superhuman,” and “feminine divine.” But the pop singer faced criticism not long after, as it was revealed that Gottwald served as one of the producers of the song and her seventh studio album, 143. This led people to call her a fauxminist, arguing that working with a man with serious accusations deeply undermines the message she was trying to spread. The music video didn’t help put out the fire either, with fans saying it actually caters to the male gaze. Perry has already explained the creative direction behind the visual, but fans remain adamant.
While Larsson didn’t drop any names, fans believe it’s a diss aimed at Perry. One user commented on Buzzing Pop’s X (formerly Twitter) post, saying, “The Katy Perry shade. We love to see it.” Fans of Perry are also defending her, even though no names were mentioned. Moreover, one user seemed to come to Gottwald’s defense, commenting, “lol if Dr. Luke asked her she would.” In fact, the “Symphony” singer worked with Gottwald in the past and was signed to his Kemosabe Records label but left immediately after Kesha’s allegations became public.
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In an appearance on Call Her Daddy podcast several months ago, Perry addressed her decision to work with the producer again. “The truth is, I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis, and he was one of the people to help facilitate all that,” said the singer. “I am speaking from my own experience. When I speak about ‘Woman’s World,’ I speak about feeling so empowered now as a mother, as a woman, giving birth, creating life … that’s where I’m speaking from. So I created all of this with several different collaborators, people that I’ve collaborated with from the past, from the Teenage Dream era, all of that.”
That’s true. Gottwald was indeed pivotal in Perry’s career, having helped produce a number of her biggest hits, including “I Kissed a Girl,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” and more. But circling back to Larsson’s comments — is it really important for a man accused of sexual assault to make comeback?