WATCH: Katy Perry hits the road in new ‘Harleys in Hawaii’ video

“Harleys in Hawaii” marks the third single from the pop powerhouse as lead artist this year.

For the occasion, Perry co-wrote the song with fellow chart-topper Charlie Puth as well as Johan Carlsson and Jacob Kasher, all of whom she collaborated with on her recent single “Small Talk.”


The songstress also released the accompanying music video for “Harleys in Hawaii”, which was helmed by Barcelona-based directors collective Manson. The visual shows Perry hitting the roads of Hawaii on a Harley, stopping along the way to drink cocktails and sing karaoke at a tiki bar.

“Let me run my fingers through your salty hair/Go ahead, explore the island vibes/So real that you can feel it in the air/I’m revvin’ up your engine,” she seductively sings in one of her verses.

She ends up meeting a mysterious biker with whom she drives away at the end of the video.

“Harleys in Hawaii” arrived a few weeks after the previously issued singles “Small Talk” and “Never Really Over” — which will likely appear on Perry’s forthcoming new album.

The yet-untitled album will mark the Grammy-winner’s sixth studio effort, following her 2017 “Witness”.

Earlier this month, Perry also announced that she filed an appeal of the July decision that found her and her label liable for $2.78 million (P142 million) to Christian rapper Flame for plagiarizing elements of their 2013 hit-song “Dark Horse” from his 2008 “Joyful Noise”.

As Variety reports, part of the appeal relies on the relative popularity of Flame’s hit, pointing out that “[p]laintiffs did not offer proof of one single digital or brick-and-mortar sale of ‘Joyful Noise’ or [the album] ‘Our World Redeemed’ and admitted that they have no such evidence.” CL/JB

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Is Katy Perry hinting at rekindled romance with Orlando Bloom?

Katy Perry may have dropped a hint at her relationship status during an interview where she said she’s “spoken for.”

The singer had been asked whether she would date a contestant during an interview on Entertainment Tonight, April 23. She rejected the idea and said, “No, I’m sorry I have been spoken for and speak for myself. And I’m very happy!”

Host Lauren Zima clarified Perry’s statement by asking about an Instagram Story the singer posted earlier in the day. It showed Perry holding up a caricature of Orlando Bloom holding a broom with the caption “Orlando Broom.” Zima asked, “Are you a Mrs. Broom?”


Perry denied this and said, “No, I’m not a Mrs. Broom,” then winked at the camera to the hosts’ surprise.

The “American Idol” judge previously dated the “Lord of the Rings” actor for a year before breaking up on February 2017.

Previous reports mentioned the two celebrities may be trying to give their relationship a second chance. Last March, Perry left a flirty comment on Bloom’s shirtless Instagram photo. She said, “Oh hey! I was actually looking for a washboard to do my laundry on.”

On April 28, Perry and Bloom attended the Unite To Cure conference in the Vatican City where they met Pope Francis.

Perry shared a snapshot of the encounter on Instagram with Bloom standing to her right. She was invited to the conference to give a talk on meditation. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

MTV taps Katy Perry to host VMAs

NEW YORK—Katy Perry will host this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, the network announced Thursday, as it turned to one of pop music’s most visible stars for its big gala.

Perry was also the first performer announced for the awards, which will be aired globally from Los Angeles on August 27.

MTV broke the news by posting a picture of the newly blonde singer clad as an astronaut — a nod to the awards’ “Moonman” statuette and the network’s early commercials.

In a statement, Perry joked that she had started “training in zero gravity.”

MTV has experimented with different host formats for the annual party, which are generally better remembered for attention-grabbing on-stage incidents than for the award winners.

Miley Cyrus hosted the event two years ago, but in 2016, MTV decided to have multiple presenters throughout the night rather than a single host.

Perry, the only person with more than 100 million followers on Twitter, is up for five VMAs this year for “Chained to the Rhythm,” her disco-inspired track whose video presents a sci-fi amusement park fantasy.

The 32-year-old has three videos that have reached one billion views on YouTube, led by “Roar.”

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Music Review: The struggle is real for Katy Perry

NEW YORK — She once roared. But now, we’ll just call it meowing.

Katy Perry, one of the top voices in contemporary pop over the last decade, limps into her fourth album with a collection of songs that don’t have a cohesive feel or message. It’s a random hodgepodge of tracks that don’t spark or shine; some of the tunes are cute, but most are forgettable.

“Witness” doesn’t offer a fresh, or refreshed, Perry — the only thing new about her is that haircut.

Vocally, she doesn’t sound inspired or inspiring. And while “Witness” isn’t expected to be the year’s best album, what was expected was some fun, killer pop hits.

Lead single, “Chained to the Rhythm,” is watered-down reggae pop without any real reggae flavor, and current single, the Nicki Minaj-assisted “Swish Swish,” is a miss-miss.

“Witness” is Perry’s first album without mega-producer Dr. Luke, who is currently at war with pop singer Kesha over sexual abuse claims (he denies her allegations). Max Martin, Dr. Luke’s former mentor, is still present though, along with big names like Sia, Jeff Bhasker and DJ Mustard.

But none of them come to Perry’s rescue. The beginning of “Hey Hey Hey” sounds like “Dark Horse,” Perry’s last No. 1 hit, and the hook echoes Avril Lavigne. “Bigger Than Me” comes off like a leftover track from her 2013 album, “Prism.” And the title track is a bore.

Perry finds the right momentum on the dreamy “Tsunami,” produced by Mike WiLL-Made It; “Bon Appetit,” chosen as the official second single for mere minutes, is upbeat and catchy; and “Power,” with little lyrics, is a shining effort thanks to multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt’s layered, experimental sound.

But overall, “Witness” falls short. The album’s songs are almost as awkward as Perry’s recent actions, from the weird dancing onstage with rap group Migos to her “joke” about comparing her hair to former U.S. President Barack Obama. It is also the first time Perry is launching an album without a monster hit behind her.

“Swish swish bish/Another one in the basket,” she sings. “Witness” is more like an air-ball.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Katy Perry tricks museum-goers with her ‘disembodied’ head

She slumped disco balls across world cities, as well as baked cherry pies to introduce her new single “Bon Appetit,” but Katy Perry’s novel approach to promote her music goes on and on.

With the help of Vanity Fair, the pop star tricked random visitors at New York’s The Whitney Museum of American Art by transforming her cover art for “Bon Appetit” into a real museum art piece. While Vanity Fair’s Derek Blasberg was luring visitors to check Santa Barbara-based artist Katheryn Hudson’s (Perry’s real name) exhibit, Perry surfaced her head in the middle of a fruit platter to deceive them.

The unsuspecting visitors were ushered into a dark room where Blasberg lifted a metal dome covering Perry’s head. At one point, Perry joked that she was Miley Cyrus to a fan asking if she was actually Katy Perry.

Perry returns from years of career hiatus with her singles “Chained to the Rhythm” and “Bon Appetit.” Soon, she will sit on the judges’ panel of ABC’s reboot of “American Idol” and drop her album entitled “Witness” this coming June.  Gianna Francesca Catolico /ra

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom break up to take ‘loving space’

Pop star Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom are breaking up after about a year together.

Representatives for Perry and Bloom released a statement Wednesday saying the couple “are taking respectful, loving space at this time.”

Bloom’s film credits include “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. He was previously married to supermodel Miranda Kerr.

Perry is currently promoting her new single “Chained to the Rhythm” and has had hits with “I Kissed a Girl” and “California Gurls.”

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Orlando Bloom Gets Naked on a Paddleboard

Manila woke up to an exciting energy online because photos of a very naked Orlando Bloom landed on the World Wide Web. And every person who is into Orlando Bloom searched and demanded for his uncensored photos while the rest of us felt like James Corden.

    *sees Orlando Bloom trending*

*clicks on the trend*
pic.twitter.com/n7TESl8TtK

— The Late Late Show (@latelateshow)
 August 3, 2016

He wasn’t alone in the shot. In fact, he is joined by his girlfriend Katy Perry—she, on the other hand, was wearing a bikini. They were on a vacation in Sardinia, Italy to enjoy the beach with their friends.

They did a couple of water sports like snorkeling, but as he goes on the paddleboard, he just stripped naked. Hmm, perhaps it’s to get an even tan? We don’t know. All we know is the Internet broke a little bit!

We’re not posting his full-frontals here, but feel free to check it out.

[Daily Mail and New York Daily News]


Photos courtesy of XPOSURE

source: preen.inquirer.net

Nuns hit back in battle with Katy Perry over convent

LOS ANGELES—A pair of nuns locked in a legal battle with singer Katy Perry over the purchase of a former convent claim in newly filed court papers that an incorrect translation of a Vatican decree was used to convince a judge to clear the sale of the property.

According to court documents filed this week on behalf of Sister Rita Callanan and Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, the decree, when properly translated, states that the Vatican was still examining the sisters’ claim that they control the prized property in Los Angeles.

They allege that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles had not submitted that information to a judge who earlier this month annulled a separate sale of the former convent by the nuns to a restaurant owner.

The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have sought to prevent the archdiocese from selling the complex to Perry for $14.5 million on grounds that they control the property and as such can decide on the buyer.

“Just hours after the court announced its (April 13) decision, (the nuns) learned for the first time that the (archdiocese) actually knew, at least three weeks before the decision, that proceedings remained in (Rome), but failed to inform the court of that crucial fact,” according to the court papers filed this week.

However the archdiocese dismissed the sisters’ claim and said in a statement that the three other remaining members of the order were not in agreement with the two nuns or their decision to sell the property to restaurateur Dana Hollister for $15.5 million.

“As the court ruling stated, the Hollister transaction was not valid,” the statement said. “This was always our concern with the Hollister transaction that basically took possession of the sisters’ property for just $44,000 and a contingent promissory note, without any guarantee that the sisters would ever receive any additional payment of the offer they received.”

A hearing in the case is scheduled June 20.

Perry, who grew up as a born-again Christian but is known for her support of gay rights and sultry songs such as “Teenage Dream,” has visited the nuns and sung for them in a fruitless bid at persuasion.

The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart was once a thriving order but only five sisters remain.

They moved out of the convent several years ago and have struggled to maintain the property.

Proceeds from the sale of the convent would go toward the nuns’ upkeep.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Ruling clears way for Katy Perry to buy hilltop convent

LOS ANGELES — A judge on Wednesday voided the sale of a former Catholic convent to a Los Angeles businesswoman, clearing the way for Katy Perry to purchase the hilltop property.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Bowick ruled that attempts to sell the property to the businesswoman by members of an order of elderly nuns were improper.

Perry has sought to buy the hilltop property in the Los Feliz neighborhood for $14.5 million and to relocate an adjoining house of prayer used by priests. Her bid has the approval of Los Angeles’ archbishop but would have to be approved by the Vatican.

The Roman villa-style convent sits on 8 acres.

The “Roar” singer’s efforts to buy the aging hilltop home were stymied when some members of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary opted to sell the convent to entrepreneur Dana Hollister.

Hollister recorded a deed on the property, but Bowick’s ruling rescinds it. She had plans to turn it into a boutique hotel, which drew concerns from some neighbors.

Her attorney Randy Snyder didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.

Bowick ruled that Los Angeles’ archbishop has to first authorize any sale, and the nuns did not receive his permission before entering into an agreement with Hollister.

Hollister was in the process of renovating the convent when she was sued by the archdiocese last year, sparking months of litigation and highlighting conflict between the nuns and the archdiocese.

In May 2014, at the archbishop’s request, the nuns met with Perry to see if a compromise could be worked out. At least two of the five surviving nuns — who had already searched for Perry’s music videos and weren’t pleased with what they saw — weren’t swayed by the meeting.

The Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary have owned the property for more than 40 years, but they haven’t lived in the convent for several years. Only five sisters, who are in their 70s and 80s, remain, and their order has bickered with the archbishop for years on various issues.

The property was bestowed to them by a devout Catholic who wanted the nuns to keep him in their prayers.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Katy Perry’s $135 million tops Taylor Swift as highest music earner

NEW YORK - She didn't make as many headlines, nor sell as many albums, but Katy Perry handily beat Taylor Swift to become the highest-earning woman in music this year, according to Forbes.

Perry, 31, earned $135 million in the past 12 months, thanks to a huge worldwide "Prismatic" tour and endorsements deals with beauty companies like Coty and CoverGirl, Forbes estimated in a ranking released on Wednesday.

Swift, 25, was a distant second, with an estimated $80 million, despite some 8.6 million sales globally for her "1989" hit album and the start of a world tour.

Perry's latest album "Prism" has sold some four million worldwide since its release in 2013 and the "Roar" singer has been touring for most of the year.

British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac was placed third with $59.5 million although only two of its five current line-up are women. Nevertheless, the return of 1970s veterans Stevie Nicks and Christine McVeigh was seen as a key to the success of the band's year-long tour "On With the Show," Forbes said.

Lady Gaga was ranked fourth with $59 million—a long way behind her 2011 peak of $90 million when she was grabbing headlines with outrageous stunts and costumes.

Last year's top earner Beyonce slipped to 5th place with an estimated $54.5 million.

The Forbes list measures estimated pre-tax income from June 2014 to June 2015, and includes earnings from albums, touring, endorsements and other commercial deals. —Reuters

Katy Perry shows vulnerability, maturity on new album 'Prism'

NEW YORK - Singer Katy Perry has shed her cotton-candy pop image and reveals a vulnerability and maturity on her new album "Prism," which she said reflects changes in both her personal life and her music.

"Prism," released on Tuesday, is Perry's fourth studio album and the follow-up to 2010's phenomenally successful "Teenage Dream." It is also the first album since the 28-year-old singer split with her husband, British comedian Russell Brand, in December 2011.

"I went through a lot of experiences in my life that I think built more character. I had to find own self identity the hard way. But I did. I came out alive and stronger, a little bit stronger," Perry said in an interview.

From "By the Grace of God," the first and darkest song on the album, to the empowering lead single "Roar," or "Birthday," a rousing, catchy dance tune, Perry said each song tells a story.

"I think what 'Prism' is, is an evolution and a maturity," she said. "I think you can hear growth as a songwriter. I hope you can hear the growth as a person."

"Teenage Dream" produced five No. 1 singles, making it only the second album after Michael Jackson's "Bad" to achieve that milestone, and the first by a female artist. It also sold 5.7 million copies worldwide.

But Perry made it clear she was in a new place with "Prism," with early teasers showing her burning the blue wig she wore in the music video for her hit single "California Girls" and holding a mock funeral for her peppermint swirl outfit.

"I'm into different things," she said. "It is my most present album so far. I think I am living very consciously right now. I think I am very aware, more aware than I have ever been."

Having fun, taking chances

Perry reunited with music producers and songwriters Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Cirkut for "Prism." Most of the 13 tracks, all co-written by Perry, were recorded in San Diego, or with Martin and record producer and songwriter Klas Ahlund in Stockholm, where club anthem "Walking on Air" and the hip-hop tinged "This is How We Do" were both made.

The personal ballad "By the Grace of God," co-written with Greg Wells, reflects where Perry was emotionally late last year, the "stuff" she was working through and the blow to her self confidence.

"It had really gotten to me and I wrote this song out of a very sad place. I was hearing these negative thoughts and battling these negative thoughts," she said.

Since splitting with Brand, Perry has moved on in her personal life and is dating singer-songwriter John Mayer.

Although she had initially expected to make a darker, more acoustic record, Perry said the opposite happened and she became much more upbeat, which is reflected in the album's title.

"I let a lot of light in my life during the spring of this year, which is when I made most of the record and it influenced my songs in a very positive way," she said. "All these beautiful colors of light and love came out and hope and joy and even just fun party songs."

"Unconditionally," the second single and Perry's favorite song on the album, is a big, soaring ballad with a heavy drum tribal influence. Its lyrics speak about an all-accepting love.

Perry wrote "Roar," a thumping pop tune and her 10th No.1 Top 40 track, after becoming complacent in a relationship and not speaking up for herself.

"Double Rainbow," a collaboration with producer Greg Kurstin and songwriter Sia, is about finding someone and a rare, magical moment.

"You can tell I am having fun and taking chances, musically with the different textures that I am showing in the songs," said Perry. "I'm painting with more colors this time. I think people can adopt certain anthems for the messages or they can make them their own." — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com