Last week, pop star Katy Perry joined five other women on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket for what was supposed to be a historic all-female space mission. The trip lasted a whopping 11 minutes, cost millions of dollars, and was meant to inspire young girls everywhere. But instead of applause, Perry’s brief journey to the edge of space has been met with a wave of criticism from all sides – celebrities, environmentalists, and even the family of a disabled veteran. It seems not everyone is over the moon about Perry’s cosmic adventure.
The space trip only lasted 11 minutes but sparked days of backlash
Imagine spending millions of dollars to fly 62 miles above Earth for less time than it takes to watch a sitcom episode. That’s exactly what Katy Perry and her fellow crew members did on Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission. The brief journey has been widely mocked online as a wasteful publicity stunt rather than any meaningful achievement. Many regular folks couldn’t understand the point of such a short trip, especially given the resources required to make it happen. The mission included TV personality Gayle King, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, producer Kerianne Flynn, and scientists Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyễn.
Despite being marketed as a historic event – the first all-female crew to wear glam makeup in space – the public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. People took to social media to express their confusion and frustration at what many saw as an expensive joyride for the wealthy. Even celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski and Olivia Munn spoke out against the trip, questioning what good it actually accomplished. Instead of singing her hit “E.T.” as some fans had hoped, Perry performed “What A Wonderful World” during the mission, which many found to be an odd choice given the circumstances.
Perry’s comments about protecting Earth seemed out of touch
After returning from space, Katy Perry shared that the experience made her realize the importance of protecting our planet. This comment sparked immediate backlash from people wondering why she needed to leave Earth to figure that out. Many pointed out that you don’t need a “God’s-eye view” of our planet to understand climate change. Those living in areas hit by extreme weather already know firsthand about the urgency of environmental protection. Perry’s remarks came across as out of touch to many viewers who felt she could have reached the same conclusion without the carbon footprint of a rocket launch.
Environmental experts have raised concerns about the growing trend of space tourism. Each 11-minute flight like Perry’s produces around 302 tons of carbon dioxide, plus other pollutants like soot, nitrogen oxides, and hydrochloric acid. While space flights currently pollute less than the airline industry as a whole, the increasing frequency of these trips worries environmentalists. Perry’s past environmental controversies didn’t help her case either. She was previously investigated for environmental issues during the filming of her “Lifetimes” music video, making her sudden concern for Earth seem hypocritical to some critics.
The mission was called fake feminism by many critics
Blue Origin marketed this mission as a win for women in space, but many saw right through it. Critics labeled it as “superficial marketplace feminism” that does nothing to address real issues women face today. The glamorous photos of the crew in their customized spacesuits seemed more like a fashion shoot than a meaningful step forward for women in science. Some compared the mission to reality shows like “Selling Sunset” rather than a serious effort to increase female representation in STEM fields. The timing of the mission also drew criticism, as it came during a period when many women are facing eroding rights and pressing social issues.
The contrast between the wealthy celebrity space tourists and the actual women working in the space industry didn’t go unnoticed. Some commenters pointed out that while this mission was supposedly inspiring women, NASA employees were facing layoffs and having their professional biographies removed from official websites. The glitzy PR approach to feminism felt hollow to many observers who questioned what tangible benefits the mission provided to women in science fields. Rather than breaking barriers, the mission seemed to reinforce the idea that space is for the wealthy and well-connected.
A disabled veteran’s family called out Perry’s space stunt
In a surprising twist, Katy Perry was criticized by the family of Carl Westcott, a disabled veteran currently locked in a legal battle with the singer. The dispute centers around a $15 million mansion that Westcott sold to Perry in 2020, a sale he tried to back out of due to his Huntington’s disease. Westcott’s son, Chart, publicly questioned whether Perry’s view of Earth from space would make her more compassionate toward his bedridden father. The timing of the space mission seemed particularly tone-deaf to the Westcott family given their ongoing legal struggles with Perry.
The mansion dispute has been dragging on for years, with Perry being declared the legal owner in 2023 but the Westcotts still pursuing damages against her. Chart Westcott expressed disappointment that Perry’s supposedly perspective-changing space experience didn’t translate into more empathy in their legal situation. While Perry was enjoying her brief trip to space with her fellow celebrities, the disabled veteran remained confined to his bed. This stark contrast highlighted what many saw as the disconnect between Perry’s public persona and her private actions.
The star’s daughter watched the launch in an astronaut outfit
While critics piled on, Perry’s 4-year-old daughter Daisy watched her mom blast into space while wearing her own tiny astronaut outfit. This touching mother-daughter moment was a rare positive aspect of the otherwise controversial mission. Perry spoke about the experience being “second only to being a mom” and said she wanted to model courage and fearlessness for her daughter. The pop star brought a daisy into space as a symbol of her connection to her child, showing that despite the negativity surrounding the mission, there were some genuine personal moments for Perry.
The contrast between the innocent excitement of Perry’s daughter and the public outcry over the mission highlighted the complex nature of celebrity actions. To a 4-year-old, seeing her mother go to space was undoubtedly amazing, regardless of the environmental or social implications. Perry framed the experience as a way to show her daughter that women can do anything, even if critics felt that message could have been delivered in more meaningful ways. The space-themed moment between mother and daughter provided a glimpse into Perry’s personal motivations amid the controversy.
Many saw the mission as a desperate PR stunt
The timing of Perry’s space adventure raised eyebrows among industry watchers. Coming after her attempted pop comeback last year received mixed reviews, many viewed the Blue Origin mission as a desperate publicity grab rather than a genuine interest in space exploration. Music critics and fans have noted that Perry’s recent career moves seem increasingly disconnected from what made her popular in the first place. The space mission appeared to be the latest in a series of PR missteps that have left the singer seeming out of touch with her fan base and the general public.
Perry tried to frame the mission as inspirational for young girls, connecting it to her music career and public persona. But this messaging fell flat with many who saw through the marketing angle. Coming at a time when many Americans are worried about basic needs like housing costs and student loan debt, the lavish space tourism adventure struck many as tone-deaf. The pop star’s attempt to rebrand herself through this cosmic adventure seemed to backfire, reinforcing perceptions that she’s lost touch with everyday reality.
The space tourism trend faces growing environmental concerns
Katy Perry’s space mission didn’t happen in a vacuum (well, technically it did, but you know what I mean). It’s part of a growing trend of space tourism that has many environmental scientists worried. Each rocket launch releases massive amounts of carbon emissions and other pollutants into the atmosphere. With companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic making space more accessible to wealthy clients, the environmental impact of these joy rides is becoming harder to ignore. Many found it ironic that Perry spoke about protecting Earth after participating in an activity that directly harms it.
The carbon footprint of space tourism is significant and growing. For perspective, the average American produces about 16 tons of CO2 per year, while a single space tourism flight produces around 302 tons. That’s equivalent to the annual emissions of 19 average Americans, all for an 11-minute experience. As celebrities continue to normalize these trips, environmental advocates worry about the message being sent. The contrast between Perry’s stated environmental concerns and her participation in such a carbon-intensive activity struck many as the height of celebrity hypocrisy.
Perry’s attempt to sound profound after the trip fell flat
When Katy Perry returned to Earth, she tried to share deep insights about her experience, but many found her comments shallow and clichéd. She spoke about seeing our planet from above and realizing how important it is to protect it – a sentiment that has been expressed by virtually every person who’s ever been to space. The difference is that most astronauts spend months or years training and conducting scientific research, while Perry and her crew spent just 11 minutes as tourists. This attempt to sound profound after what amounted to an expensive amusement park ride didn’t sit well with listeners.
People were quick to point out that you don’t need to go to space to care about Earth. Many individuals who have never left the ground have dedicated their entire lives to environmental protection and scientific advancement. Perry’s comments seemed to suggest that only those privileged enough to afford space tourism could truly understand the importance of our planet. This messaging struck a nerve with environmentalists and space enthusiasts alike, who felt it trivialized both the serious work of space exploration and environmental conservation. The backlash highlighted how celebrity stunts often miss the mark when attempting to address serious issues.
Katy Perry’s space mission serves as a reminder that not all publicity is good publicity. What was meant to be a historic, inspiring moment turned into a PR disaster that highlighted issues of wealth inequality, environmental impact, and celebrity privilege. While Perry may have enjoyed her 11 minutes in space, the lasting impression on the public has been largely negative. Perhaps next time she wants to inspire young women or protect the planet, she might consider more down-to-earth approaches that connect with real people facing real challenges.
