Former Contestant Criticizes Katy Perry's New Track 'OK' in Viral TikTok Video

Katy Perry is facing backlash for her latest track, "OK," from an unexpected source—Steven James, a former American Idol contestant. James, eliminated from the show five years ago, recently shared his candid reaction to the song in a TikTok video that has since gone viral.

In the video, James appears visibly unimpressed as Perry’s song plays in the background. He captioned the clip with a pointed remark: "This can’t be the same person who eliminated me on American Idol 5 years ago."

The post has sparked significant conversation online, with TikTok users weighing in on James’ reaction. One user commented, "Sounds like a theme song of a PBS kids show," while another added, "Damn, when you put it that way."

Debate Around Perry’s Music Evolution

The track "OK" is part of Perry’s recently released deluxe album 1432, which features additional songs from her September album 143. While Perry has garnered praise for her creative risks in the past, 143 and its deluxe version have been met with mixed reviews.

Criticism of the album has included backlash over Perry's collaboration with Dr. Luke, a producer embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute with singer Kesha. Despite the controversy, Perry defended her decision to work with Dr. Luke during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, emphasizing the professional nature of their collaboration.

A Shift in Katy Perry’s Career

This year has been pivotal for Katy Perry, who stepped down as a judge on American Idol after five years. Announcing her departure in February, Perry cited a desire to focus on her music career as the reason for leaving the popular ABC competition show.

Her judging role, which began in 2018 with the show's 16th season, marked a significant chapter in her career. However, Perry has since returned her focus to producing and releasing new material, including the ambitious 143 album.

While the album hasn’t achieved the critical acclaim of her earlier works, Perry’s willingness to push creative boundaries continues to generate buzz and fuel debates among fans and critics alike.

The Viral Fallout

Steven James’ viral video has only added to the scrutiny surrounding Perry’s recent releases, reigniting discussions about her artistic evolution. As fans and critics dissect her latest work, Perry remains a polarizing figure in the music industry—unafraid to take risks but not immune to public critique.

Whether "OK" marks a bold step forward or a misstep in her career, it is clear that Perry’s music continues to captivate and spark conversation, even years after her rise to superstardom.