The Balearic government’s Department of Natural Environment has opened an inquiry to determine whether filming the latest music video by the United States pop star Katy Perry affected the protected dunes on the islet of s’Espalmador. This area is part of the Ses Salines Natural Park of Ibiza and Formentera.
american superstar filmed her recent video, Lifetimes, across Ibiza and Formentera. The footage features scenes of her dancing and jumping in varied settings, including urban spots, a busy nightclub, and natural landscapes. One sequence takes place inside the dune system of s’Espalmador, inside a designated area marked off with poles and ropes indicating restricted access. It is reported that Perry and her entire crew were present for these shots.
Officials confirmed on Tuesday that preliminary investigative steps have begun. They have not yet specified whether the inquiry might involve an environmental offense or potential sanctions, noting that those determinations will come as the investigation progresses.
They also explained that the production company responsible for the video did not have authorization to shoot in this natural space, nor had it requested access for the location.
Near the famous ses Illetes beach in Formentera, the s’Espalmador dunes form the best-preserved dune system in the Balearic Islands and are described as a site of great ecological value on the Balearic government tourism page.
s’Espalmador is a private islet located north of Formentera and has been part of the Ses Salines Natural Park since 1980. It measures about 2.9 kilometers in length and 800 meters in width, covering roughly 137 hectares.
Katy Perry is not the only American star who has used a stay in Ibiza and Formentera for work. Actor Will Smith chose the recording studio of a luxury hotel in the northern part of Ibiza to record his latest song.
Smith shared on the social network Instagram a reel titled Ibiza sunset vibes, in which he appears rapping and singing parts of his track, with imagery of sunsets over Ibiza and accompanied by friends.