Pop superstar Katy Perry has released a powerfully emotional new single that appears to take direct aim at her former fiancé, actor Orlando Bloom, finally shedding light on their split after nearly a decade together.
The End of a Decade-Long Romance
Katy Perry, 40, and Orlando Bloom, 48, first began dating in 2016. Their relationship experienced a brief separation the following year before they reconciled. The couple became engaged in 2019 and welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in 2020. However, earlier this year, rumours began circulating that the pair had quietly ended their relationship.
After months of intense speculation, their representatives confirmed in July that they had been 'shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on coparenting'. The full statement emphasised that their 'shared priority is—and always will be—raising their daughter with love, stability, and mutual respect.'
'Bandaids': A Heartbreak Anthem
Perry has since moved on with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 53, but her new release, titled 'Bandaids', offers a raw look back at what may have caused her previous relationship to fail. The single dropped on Friday, with its lyrics painting a picture of heartbreak and a partnership that ultimately fell short.
Some of the most poignant lines from the song include: 'Hand to God, I promise I tried / There’s no stone left unturned.' Perry seemingly points to emotional neglect with the words: 'It’s not what you did / It’s what you didn’t / You were there, but you weren’t.'
The chorus drives home the feeling of futility: 'Got so used to you letting me down / No use tryna send flowers now. Telling myself you’ll change, you don’t / Band-Aids over a broken heart.'
Hidden Meanings and Fan Reactions
Although Bloom is not explicitly named, the music video—styled on the horror franchise 'Final Destination'—strongly suggests the song is about him. In a particularly symbolic scene, Perry drops a ring down a drain while washing dishes and has her finger severed trying to retrieve it. This echoes a candid 2024 interview where she revealed that Bloom doing the dishes was a specific trigger for affection in their relationship.
Another subtle nod appears in the form of a daisy, a clear reference to their five-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove.
Fans have warmly received the track, celebrating it as a 'return to the pop rock sound that makes her so special'. One YouTube comment from Sofia read: 'It sounds like 2010. This sounds like my childhood. She’s so back. What a great song!'
Another fan, Tom, connected deeply with the lyrics, adding: 'This song really hits hard. Sometimes neglect doesn’t come in loud fights but in silence and indifference.'
Despite the heartache detailed in the song, Perry ends on a note of acceptance, singing: 'If I had to do it all over again / I would still do it all over again. The love that we made was worth it in the end.'
