Editor-in-Chief, Music

Katy Perry's video crew had received "verbal approval" to film the singer's "Lifetimes" videos on a protected beach in Spain, a spokesperson for the singer's label said Wednesday night, after news broke that the crew was being investigated for allegedly not getting permission to film. In announcing the investigation, Spain's Balearic Islands environmental agency said the filming did not constitute an "environmental crime" but that full permission had not been obtained.

“The local video production company assured us that all necessary permits for the video had been obtained,” a Capitol Records spokesperson told Variety. “We have since learned that one permit was pending, although we had verbal permission to proceed.”

“Our local crew applied for a permit for this specific location on July 22nd with the Directorate General for Coasts and Coastline,” the representative continued. “Our crew received verbal approval on July 26th to proceed with filming on July 27th. We have adhered to all the rules and regulations that apply to filming in this area and have the utmost respect for this location and the officials charged with protecting it.”