to write for Katy Perry". Im's vocals incorporate harmonies, ad-libs, and double tracking "with a bit of vibrato". Le compared her double-tracked vocals to Pink's songs. Kevin of the website Direct Lyrics wrote that "Gladiator" sounds like a song "Ryan Tedder would do circa the Jordin Sparks 'Battlefield' days". Lyrically, "Gladiator" explores the theme of female empowerment. Im sings about the need to make a man fall in love with her by fighting for his love "like a gladiator", as shown in the lyrics: "Not in it for the glory, I just hope you're waiting for me. Never gonna give up, I won't let nobody harm ya. I will fight for your love like a gladiator". In an interview with Pop Sugar, Im revealed that there is another meaning behind the song "about fighting for yourself, for your confidence, loving yourself, and fighting to achieve that". Reception A writer for Take 40 Australia described "Gladiator" as "incredible" and viewed it as "a powerful love song that encapsulates you instantly". The writer also noted that "Gladiator" sees Im's "soaring vocals take off and fly" and predicted that the track will "rise to the top of the charts". Mike Wass of Idolator described "Gladiator" as a "soaring pop anthem" and "pure-pop delight", further complimenting it as "easily one of the catchiest pop songs of 2014". Kevin of Direct Lyrics found the song to be "easy on the ear, radio-friendly" and noted that Im "sings it flawlessly". Nathan Pike of Project U noted that the track "showcases the vocal power" that made Im the winner of The X Factor Australia. Writers for The Hot Hits called "Gladiator" a "killer track" and "soon-to-be smash hit", further adding that "we can't help but feel we can take over the world when we listen to this song". Phillip Kuoch of the website Hellokpop described the song as "an infectious pop anthem" and praised "Im's big vocal range". Jordan Hirst of Q News wrote that "Gladiator" is "another slice of pure pop that features the incredible pipes Dami put to good use on previous singles 'Alive' and 'Super Love'". David Lim of So So Gay called it a "radio-ready" single that is "armed with a titan chorus you can't imagine lip-synching to without a wind machine present". Andrew Le of Renowned for Sound awarded "Gladiator" three stars out of five and labeled it "another generic song about