Katy Perry Drops Bombshell on How She Really Copes with Harsh Album Reviews

When asked how she deals with negative reviews, the 40-year-old pop sensation—one of the best-selling music artists in history—revealed that she maintains a healthy distance from public opinion. Speaking candidly with People magazine, the Dark Horse hitmaker shared her approach to handling criticism, just four months after releasing her seventh studio album, 143.

“You shouldn’t read it when it’s good. You shouldn’t read it when it’s bad,” she said. The singer emphasized the importance of staying grounded regardless of the feedback. “The highs can make you feel invincible, and the lows can make you question everything. I prefer to stay in the middle lane,” she added.

The pop star explained that this mindset wasn’t something she always had. Earlier in her career, she found herself swayed by public opinion—sometimes elated by praise and other times devastated by criticism. “I’d read a glowing review and think, ‘I’m on top of the world,’ but then I’d read something harsh, and it would bring me crashing down,” she admitted.

The turning point came during a session with her therapist, who offered a piece of advice that changed her perspective. “She told me, ‘Feedback can be like fast food. It’s quick, but not always nourishing. Be mindful of what you consume,’” the singer recounted. Those words resonated deeply, prompting her to prioritize mental and emotional well-being over external validation.

Since then, the pop icon has focused on surrounding herself with trusted voices—friends, family, and longtime collaborators—whose opinions she values. “These are people who’ve seen me at my best and my worst. They tell me the truth, but with love,” she said.

This shift in perspective has not only helped her navigate fame but also influenced her creative process. On 143, which blends introspective lyrics with upbeat pop anthems, the singer channeled her personal growth into her music. “I wanted this album to feel honest and real, and I think that only comes when you’re not trying to please everyone,” she explained.

Ultimately, the pop star hopes her approach will inspire others to set healthy boundaries. “Whether it’s in music, work, or everyday life, not all opinions deserve a seat at your table,” she said. With this balanced outlook, the singer continues to thrive, proving that true strength lies in knowing when to listen—and when to tune out the noise.

In a recent interview, the 40-year-old pop superstar opened up about how she maintains a positive mindset amid public scrutiny. The Woman’s World singer, who has spent nearly two decades in the spotlight, shared a profound piece of advice from her therapist that helped reshape her perspective on fame and criticism.

“My therapist once told me, ‘What anybody thinks about you is none of your business. It’s what you think about yourself,’” she recalled. This simple yet powerful message encouraged her to shift her focus inward and prioritize self-love over external validation.

For Perry, adopting this mindset wasn’t an overnight transformation. Early in her career, the Firework hitmaker often found herself tangled in a web of opinions—from critics’ reviews to social media commentary. “I used to Google myself constantly. I’d hang on every word, every tweet. It was exhausting,” she admitted. Over time, however, she recognized that allowing external voices to define her worth only led to anxiety and self-doubt.

Her latest album, 143, serves as a testament to this newfound clarity. While the record hasn’t mirrored the blockbuster success of earlier albums like Teenage Dream or Prism, Perry feels a deep sense of accomplishment. “Success isn’t just about numbers and charts. It’s about resonance—how the music makes people feel,” she explained. “I hope this album can become the soundtrack for anyone’s life, whether they’re falling in love, finding themselves, or simply needing a pick-me-up.”

Motherhood has also played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic vision. Since welcoming her daughter Daisy Dove in 2020, Perry has found new inspiration in the everyday moments of family life. “I created this album out of a real shift in my life when I became a mother, and I really tapped into that feminine divine energy,” she said. “The messages on it are celebratory. They’re about love—self-love, romantic love, and love for life itself.”

Embracing her role as both a mother and a music icon, Perry feels more grounded than ever. She’s learned to celebrate her achievements and accept imperfections, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from within. “I’m not chasing the same things I used to,” she reflected. “I’m more at peace now, knowing that my worth isn’t defined by a headline or a streaming stat.”

As she looks to the future, Perry remains committed to creating music that uplifts and empowers. She hopes her journey can inspire others to trust their own voices and silence the noise around them. “At the end of the day, it’s about what makes your soul sing,” she said. “And right now, my soul is singing louder than ever.”

She continued, “I have an incredible identity that I’ve been able to create since COVID, when a lot changed for so much. So the album really just celebrates love and this unconditional love that I have been looking for my whole life and never really knew it existed. That was a cliché, and it’s actually true.”

Motherhood has profoundly changed Perry’s perspective on life. The pop star—who shares her four-year-old daughter Daisy with fiancé Orlando Bloom—sees everything with a renewed sense of “light and joy and hope.”

“It’s like Christmas again when you get to see it through a child’s eyes. There’s so much light and joy and hope,” Perry told E! News.

In November, the singer announced that she would be embarking on her Lifetimes Tour with Daisy in tow. The highly-anticipated tour will bring her to arenas across the UK in 2025, and Perry expressed her love for London’s “inclusive” vibe.

The I Kissed A Girl crooner will kick off her tour in Mexico next April before heading to Australia, and she will perform across the UK starting in October. The tour includes stops in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, and Birmingham, beginning October 7.

“I’m really excited Daisy can join me on this world tour. She is four now, and then she’ll turn five on the road. Time really does fly,” Perry shared with The Sun.

The star added, “Some of my single friends that don’t have children, whenever they come and visit, and they only see her every six months or what have you, they’re like, ‘Whoa, she’s grown.’ It’s like, time is happening, it’s ticking.”

Perry is thrilled to introduce Daisy to new places around the world, describing the upcoming tour as a “fun adventure” for them both.

“We’ll be exploring fun playgrounds and enjoying outdoor adventures on my days off,” she said. “In the UK, we love the parks. We already spend quite a lot of time during the summer in London, so we love it so much.”

Perry concluded by expressing her deep connection to London, noting, “We have such a good feeling when we’re there. It’s so inclusive and it’s so built for families.”