Katy Perry reveals she battled ‘situational depression’ after criticism of her Witness album

Katy Perry has revealed she battled “situational depression” after her latest album Witness was widely criticised.

The Unconditionally singer opened up in an interview with Vogue Australia, admitting the negative feedback from both critics and listeners, after it released last year, really impacted her mental health.

Speaking to the publication, she explained: “I have had bouts of situational depression, and my heart was broken last year because, unknowingly, I put so much validity in the reaction of the public.

“And the public didn't react in the way I had expected to… which broke my heart.”

The 33-year-old told how she had worked to craft her “purposeful pop” album.

Perry explained that she used the experience as a learning-curve and brought her back to her belief in God.

She said: “Music is my first love and I think it was the universe saying: ‘Okay, you speak all of this language about self-love and authenticity, but we are going to put you through another test and take away any kind of validating ‘blankie.' Then we'll see how much you do truly love yourself.'"

She added: "That brokenness, plus me opening up to a greater, higher power and reconnecting with divinity, gave me a wholeness I never had. It gave me a new foundation. It's not just a material foundation: it's a soul foundation."

"My mom has prayed for me my entire life, hoping I'd come back to God. I never left Him, I was just a little bit secular, I was more materialistic and more career-driven.

"But now that I'm in my 30s, it's more about spirituality and heart wholeness."

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