Katy Perry objects to White House use of her song in political video
Katy Perry objects to White House use of her song in political video
Updated at: July 26, 2026 at 01:30 AM
In July 2026, pop superstar Katy Perry publicly condemned the White House for using her 2010 hit song 'Firework' in a social media video.
The official White House TikTok account posted footage of military strikes in Iran, synchronized with the explosive lyrics of the track.
She expressed being 'deeply appalled and angry,' stating that she did not condone the use of her music to accompany scenes of 'destruction and violence.'
Perry emphasized that 'Firework' was written as an anthem of hope and healing, noting that using it to celebrate warfare is a violation of its core message.
Other stars, including Ariana Grande and SZA, have voiced similar frustrations.
Despite the backlash, White House staff have previously downplayed these disputes, occasionally labeling them as attempts by performers to gain attention.
