Katy Perry’s absence from the public proceedings in Russell Brand’s trial has prompted questions from many observers. The two were once married in a relationship closely followed by the media, so when Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault in a London court, Perry’s name was largely absent from the prosecution’s case.

Katy Perry is opening up more candidly about the difficult period that followed the end of her relationship with Orlando Bloom. In an interview with People, the singer described the months after their engagement ended as “probably the hardest time,” reflecting on a period when her personal life was changing while her professional commitments continued at full speed.