katybadbloodtileImage: Katy Perry via Instagram

At a yet-to-be-announced date this year, Katy Perry will release her fourth studio album, rumoured to be titled Witness. It will be her first since Taylor Swift released Bad Blood, the shade track widely believed to be about her long-time feud with Katy.

Not everything in the music industry has to have something to do with Taylor Swift, although sometimes it feels like it (Kanye West and Harry Styles latest releases were both in some linked to Taylor, either via lyrical content or press interviews). But it also stands to reason that Katy would use her new album to defend herself against Taylor’s attempt to “bury” her (Calvin Harris’ words, not ours).

It would also make commercial sense, given a Taylor diss track or response to Bad Blood would generate huge amounts of attention and therefore, dollars.

When asked about exactly this in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Katy gave a cryptic answer. She first said “Well that’s not my question to answer — if [Bad Blood] is about me”, before proceeding to go right ahead and answer the question, albeit in a coded way. Read her full response to the question and decide for yourself.

“I think [my new album is] a very empowered record. There is no one thing that’s calling out any one person.

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Image: Getty

“One thing to note is: You can’t mistake kindness for weakness and don’t come for me. Anyone. Anyone. Anyone. Anyone. And that’s not to any one person and don’t quote me that it is, because it’s not. It’s not about that. Honestly, when women come together and they decide to unite, this world is going to be a better place. Period end of story.

“But, let me say this: Everything has a reaction or a consequence so don’t forget about that, okay, honey. [Laughs] We got to keep it real, honey.

“This record is not about anyone else! This record is about me being seen and heard so that I can see and hear everyone else! It’s not even about me! It’s about everything that I see out there that I digest. I think there’s a healing in it for me and vulnerability. If people want to connect and be healed and feel vulnerable and feel empowered and strong, God bless and here it is.”