Katy Perry dodges question about Dr. Luke after online backlash amid Kesha claims

Katy Perry dodged a recent question about working with controversial music producer Dr. Luke.

The "Wide Awake" singer got candid during Tuesday's episode of "Call Her Daddy," but she skipped telling all to podcast host Alex Cooper about her recent work with Dr. Luke, which has drawn widespread internet backlash.

Perry sidestepped when Cooper asked about her work with "one collaborator in particular," noting that "a lot of people have expressed disappointment and were really upset that you decided to work with Dr. Luke on this album."

"I understand that it started a lot of conversations, and he was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with, but the reality is, (the music) comes from me," Perry told Cooper. USA TODAY has reached out to Perry's rep for comment.

Katy Perry receives Video Vanguard Awardand set to perform live at 2024 MTV VMAs

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Last June, pop star Kesha and mega producer Dr. Luke settled almost a decade of legal battles, including long suits and countersuits, after she accused him of drugging and raping her and his counterclaim that she made up the allegations to defame her former collaborator.

Dr. Luke produced 2009's "Tik Tok," the song that catapulted her into mainstream fame as well as "Blah Blah Blah" featuring band 3OH!3 and several other songs off of her 2010 album "Animal." He also produced her sophomore album "Warrior," including the hit song "Die Young." In recent years, he has worked with a number of big-name stars in music including Saweetie, Doja Cat and Kim Petras.

Perry worked with the music mogul on her two breakout hits "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot N Cold" as well as other popular songs including a slew of hits on "Teenage Dream" including "California Gurls," "E.T.," "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)" and the title track. Dr. Luke was a prevalent collaborator on 2013's "Prism." He did not work with Perry on her last two albums "Smile" and "Witness," which were not as commercially successful as her first few pop albums.

During the "Call Her Daddy" interview, Perry continued, adding that she was speaking from her own "experience" on the album.

She continued: "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. I am speaking from my own experience."

Social media critics didn't take lightly to Perry's "Call Her Daddy" comments.

One commenter wrote, "The problem with katy perry (besides picking dr.luke) is that she doesn't have the emotional depth and growth you need as an artist to survive. Think about Gaga and Kesha, both ladies have evolved musically, but perry is trying to do the same tired old shtick." Another said, "So she wasn't contract bound like many of her defenders were saying. Pretty rotten of her to justify her decision of chasing a hit by using her giving birth, too."

One commenter wrote: "This made her look worse. Man this whole era had so much goodwill and between this and the bad music it's kind of sad."

In February, Perry announced she was leaving "American Idol" after seven seasons during a shocking announcement on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" telling the late-night host she had a "very exciting year" ahead. Despite her own wishes, Perry's push for a music comeback has started on shaky ground amid the Dr. Luke controversy and mixed reviews from critics for her upcoming album's lead single "Woman's World."

In the run-up to her album release, slated to drop Sept. 20, her new single, "Lifetimes," has also made waves. In a press release written in Catalan, the Balearic Islands' Ministry of Agriculture said it's launched an investigation into the production for the "Lifetimes" music video because the production company allegedly failed to request authorization to film at Ses Salines Natural Park in a roped-off area.

The "Teenage Dream" singer is set to receive MTV's iconic Video Vanguard Award at this year's Video Music Awards on Sept. 11. The five-time VMAs winner will also return to the award show's stage for the first time since 2017 when she hosted and performed her song "Swish Swish" with MTV fan favorite and rapper Nicki Minaj.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson