American Idol alum Steven James had a lot to say about Katy Perry’s new single.
Steven shared his honest reaction to one of Katy’s newest songs, “OK,” in a TikTok posted on Saturday, December 28. The track was released on December 20 as part of 1432, the deluxe version of her recent album, 143. “OK” is one of four additional songs featured on the new edition.
“This can’t be the same person who eliminated me on American Idol 5 years ago,” Steven captioned the clip as he cringed while listening to the song in his car.
Fans quickly rushed to the comment section to share their thoughts, with many agreeing with the opinion of the American Idol alum.
“It’s giving the Arthur theme song,” one follower commented, referencing the children’s show. Steven responded with a skull emoji.
An additional user added, “Crazzyyyy. Katy just can’t recognize true talent then! You are an amazing artist and your music touches so many people all over the world.”
However, some did defend the pop singer. “No way we’re hating on Katy Perry as if she didn’t drop the best album ever when we were kids,” one fan wrote.
“I actually like this song,” another chimed in.
The “California Girls” artist made her exit from American Idol earlier this year after serving as a judge for seven seasons. Known for her pop hits like “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl” and “The One That Got Away,” she joined the show in 2018 alongside fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. She officially announced her departure in February during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” she said. “I mean, I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with, like, the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying?”
She continued, “I love the show so much. But I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music. Maybe I’ll come back if they’ll have me one day.”
Since stepping away from the show, Katy has faced backlash for collaborating with controversial producer Dr. Luke on “Woman’s World,” a new track featured on 143.
“I understand that it started a lot of conversations,” she said on the September 4 episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. “He was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with.”
Katy told host Alex Cooper that the song was “about feeling so empowered now as a mother, as a woman, giving birth, creating life, creating another set of organs, a brain, a heart.”
“The reality is, it comes from me,” she explained. “The truth is, I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis, and he was one of the people to help facilitate all that — one of the writers, one of the producers.”
