Katy Perry Investigated by Spain for Filming Music Video on Protected Dunes

Katy Perry is being investigated by Spanish officials after the singer allegedly filmed a music video in ecologically sensitive sand dunes without permission.

Katy Perry filmed the music video for her latest single Lifetimes on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera in Spain.

Some of the scenes in the Lifetimes music video, which was released on August 8, are also believed to have been shot in the middle of the protected dunes on the isle of S’Espalmador in Formentera.

The dunes on the uninhabited and protected island of Formentera constitute the best-preserved dune system in Spain’s Balearic Islands and are considered to be of great ecological value.

However, according to the government of Spain’s Balearic islands, Perry filmed the music video without the necessary permissions.

In a press release published on Tuesday, the Environment Department of the Balearic Islands claimed that the production company WeOwnTheCity did not request the proper authorization before filming Perry’s music video.

According to the press release, one of the scenes in Lifetimes, which was directed by Stillz, was filmed in the dunes of S’Espalmador, in a prohibited area marked by ropes.

The Environment Department of the Balearic Islands says that the video is not a “crime against the environment,” but an infringement, as videos and photography “can be authorized” when requested properly.

The ministry in charge of conservation of the area says that “in no case had the production company requested authorization from the ministry to carry out the filming” and that is why a preliminary investigation has been initiated.

Spanish officials have now launched an investigation into whether the shoot negatively affected the island’s ecosystem and whether there was damage to the dunes on Formentera.

If the investigation determines that Perry’s music video resulted in environmental harm, then the singer and her team may face legal consequences for the shoot.

The investigation into the singer comes after a man was accused of vandalizing a 6,000-year-old cave painting in southern Spain so it looked better for a Facebook photo.

Police are investigating the case after a 39-year-old man poured a bottle of water over the precious paintings so they would stand out more for his photo.

 
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.