Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's relationship encountered challenges amidst the singer's latest venture, yet a close source revealed to PEOPLE that her fiancé stood by her side through it all. An insider shared, "Katy was deeply disheartened by the reception of her new album, '143,' which debuted in September. The stress it caused was immense. Orlando was compassionate and understanding, but it inevitably led to some strains between them." Another source added, referencing Perry's ongoing Lifetimes World Tour, "She was also let down by some of the tour reviews, putting further strain on their relationship."
Despite the initial wave of unfavorable reviews, the international legs of the tour remained unaffected, with sold-out shows spanning three nights in Mexico, prompting Perry to add an extra performance. The current Australian tour has likewise witnessed complete sell-outs. Next, she brings her high-energy show to the United States, kicking off with a concert in Denver on July 10.
Upon releasing her latest album, which serves as the backdrop for the Lifetimes tour, Perry emphasized in a statement her aspiration to craft "a daring, exhilarating, and celebratory dance-pop album, with the symbolic numerical expression '143'—an abbreviation for 'I love you' inspired by pager communication—serving as its core message." (Representatives for Perry and Bloom did not promptly respond to PEOPLE's request for comment regarding the couple's rough patch.)
Nonetheless, the "Teenage Dream" crooner has gracefully navigated the negativity. In February, she spoke candidly to PEOPLE about the criticism directed at her album '143,' stating, "You shouldn't let external praise or criticism sway you. My therapist once said something profound that changed my perspective: What others think of you is none of your concern. What truly matters is how you view yourself."
Perry, now 40, further elaborated, "This album emerged from a profound transformation in my life after becoming a mother. I tapped into that divine feminine energy. The lyrics celebrate love in all its forms."
Following the release of her album, Perry embarked on the Lifetimes Tour in April, mere weeks after participating in Jeff Bezos' all-female Blue Origin flight, which garnered scrutiny over its cost and alleged environmental impact.
Addressing the criticism during the tour's opening night in Mexico City, Perry asked the audience, "Has anyone ever dismissed your dreams as crazy?" She echoed these sentiments in an Instagram post, writing, "When the 'online' world attempts to turn me into a human piñata, I accept it with grace and send them love. I know many are hurting in various ways, and the internet often serves as a platform for unhinged and unhealed emotions," she penned on Tuesday, April 29.
Perry and Bloom, 48, have been a couple for nearly a decade. They got engaged in February 2019 and welcomed their daughter, Daisy Dove, in August 2020.
