
Katy Perry’s latest album 143 hasn’t garnered much positive feedback from fans, and the criticism has intensified with a particular comment from Steven James, a former American Idol contestant. James, who appeared on Season 17 of the show, posted a TikTok where he reacts negatively to Perry’s new song “OK” from the album’s deluxe version. In the video, which has racked up 2.4 million views, James sarcastically remarks, “This can’t be the same person who eliminated me on American Idol 5 years ago,” signaling his displeasure with the track.
James’s comments may sting more than usual for Perry, given their past on American Idol. Perry was one of the judges during Season 17, where James was eliminated. The backlash has spread, with fans joining in, with one user joking that the song “sounds like it was written for a Degrassi reboot.”
The album 143 has faced other controversies, including Perry’s collaboration with Dr. Luke, who has been accused of assaulting Kesha. Although Dr. Luke denied the allegations and the legal battle was settled in June 2023, Perry defended working with him, explaining on Alex Cooper’s podcast that he wasn’t the only collaborator and that the album was still her own work, stemming from her personal life experiences.
Despite the criticism, Perry’s departure from American Idol in early 2024, which she announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live, seemed to indicate a desire to focus on her music. She explained that she wanted to focus on her own artistic rhythm, saying, “I need to feel the pulse of my own beat,” signaling her intention to step away from the show after a seven-season stint.