Katy Perry has strongly condemned the White House after her 2010 hit “Firework” was used in a TikTok video showing footage of U.S. military strikes on Iran. The video paired explosions with the song’s recognizable chorus and was posted with the caption, “Iran has been warned.”
@whitehouse Iran has been warned. 🎆
Perry addressed the video through a statement on X, writing that she was “deeply appalled and angry” to see her music used alongside footage of military action. The singer made it clear that she had not approved the use of the track, had not been asked for permission and did not support the message presented in the clip. (EW.com)
https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/2081032309508047136
The pop star explained that “Firework” was written as an anthem of hope, healing and inner strength for people experiencing some of the darkest moments of their lives. According to Perry, using a song centered on self-worth and encouragement to accompany images of destruction went completely against everything the record was created to represent.
The White House responded through Deputy Assistant to the President Kaelan Dorr, who shared a clip from Perry’s military-themed “Part of Me” music video and wrote, “This you?” The administration also pointed to Perry’s 2023 sale of her music catalogue to Litmus Music, although Perry’s criticism focused on the message and imagery associated with the White House video.
https://twitter.com/Kaelan47/status/2081091891802579233
Perry concluded her response by emphasizing that her music was created to bring people together rather than celebrate warfare. The controversy places her among several major artists who have objected to their songs being used in campaign, political or government-related content without their approval.
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