Katy Perry’s long-standing collaborator, Chris Anokute, recently faced intense backlash from fans following his praise of controversial music producer Dr. Luke.
The now-deleted social media post, which celebrated Dr. Luke’s work with Perry, ignited a storm of criticism, especially considering the ongoing scrutiny of Dr. Luke’s past involving sexual assault allegations.
Chris Anokute, a well-known music executive who has worked closely with Perry for many years, posted a tribute to Dr. Luke, real name Lukasz Gottwald, on his social media account following Perry’s recent performance at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
The post included a photograph of Dr. Luke and a message expressing admiration for his contributions to Perry’s career.
The caption read: “Big respect to @thedoctorrluke for the unprecedented work he’s done with @katyperry over the years. Tonight’s performance was a celebration of his work with her throughout the years.” Anokute didn’t stop there.
He went on to describe Dr. Luke as “a GREAT man, and an honest man and my dear friend,” adding that the producer deserves recognition for developing Perry’s music and for helping shape her into one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
While Anokute’s post intended to highlight Dr. Luke’s professional achievements, it quickly drew ire from fans and critics who found the praise insensitive, given the producer’s deeply controversial history.
Dr. Luke, who has worked with numerous pop stars, including Perry, has been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with singer Kesha, who accused him of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in 2014.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Luke began when Kesha filed a lawsuit in 2014, accusing him of drugging, raping, and emotionally manipulating her over a period of years.
The lawsuit became one of the highest-profile cases within the music industry and resonated during the #MeToo movement.
Dr. Luke has consistently denied the allegations and countersued Kesha for defamation. In 2022, a defamation case was settled between Dr. Luke and Kesha, but the damage to his reputation was already extensive.
Despite the allegations, Dr. Luke has continued to work with various artists, and Katy Perry has remained one of his most visible collaborators.
Perry herself has previously testified that she never experienced abuse from Dr. Luke and that their professional relationship has always been respectful and above board.
However, Perry’s continued work with him has drawn criticism from some fans, and Anokute’s public praise only added fuel to the fire.
As news of Anokute’s post spread across social media, fans and followers quickly voiced their disapproval. The post was shared widely, even after it was deleted, and the response from the public was overwhelmingly negative.
One Twitter user expressed their disgust, writing: “This is so disgusting and disappointing. Katy’s team is also supporting Dr. Luke, oh Lord. Mute them please.”
This sentiment was echoed by many others who felt that Anokute’s praise of Dr. Luke was tone-deaf, given the gravity of the accusations made against him.
Another fan commented: “Katy Perry’s manager saying Dr. Luke deserves all the acclaim for developing the music behind her is so insane.”
The user’s comment highlighted the frustration many fans feel over the apparent dismissal of the serious allegations brought against Dr. Luke.
A third fan added, “Disgusting. Now I understand why she keeps collaborating with him. Even her team is befriended with that man. All birds of a feather.”
This user pointed to the fact that not only has Perry continued working with Dr. Luke, but her team members also appear to support him publicly, deepening the divide between Perry’s camp and some of her fans.
Perry’s relationship with Dr. Luke has been a contentious topic for years, particularly among her fanbase.
Dr. Luke was responsible for producing many of Perry’s biggest hits, including “I Kissed a Girl,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Roar.”
These songs helped catapult Perry to international stardom, and it’s clear that the two have maintained a successful working relationship.
Read More: Cara Delevingne’s $7M LA Home Still Facing Ruin Six Months After Devastating Fire
However, Perry has faced repeated calls to distance herself from Dr. Luke, especially in the wake of Kesha’s allegations.
In 2017, during her testimony in Dr. Luke’s defamation case against Kesha, Perry stated under oath that she had never been assaulted or mistreated by the producer, and she refused to take sides in the legal battle.
Still, the court of public opinion has been less forgiving, with many fans urging Perry to sever ties with Dr. Luke.
Since deleting the post, Anokute has remained silent on the matter. Neither he nor Perry has issued any further statements addressing the backlash.
Some fans have called on Perry to publicly respond to the controversy, though she has yet to do so.
The incident highlights the continued tension within the music industry over issues of accountability, as artists and their teams navigate the complex terrain of public relations in the wake of #MeToo.
For now, Anokute’s comments have sparked renewed conversation about Perry’s professional choices and the ongoing legacy of Dr. Luke’s career.
As the debate continues, many fans remain divided over how much responsibility artists like Perry should bear for the actions of their collaborators and whether public figures like Anokute should be more cautious in their praise of individuals with controversial pasts.
