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Katy Perry’s recent spaceflight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft has sparked significant backlash from both netizens and several celebrities. The mission, funded by Jeff Bezos’ space exploration company, has faced criticism, particularly regarding its environmental impact. Many believe the mission is a wasteful display of wealth and resources, especially considering the pressing environmental concerns on Earth.
Although Perry doesn’t regret going to space, calling the experience “life-changing,” a source revealed to the Daily Mail that she does have some regrets about the way she publicly handled the event. The source mentioned that she regrets the attention-seeking behavior, specifically kissing the ground after landing and the close-up camera moments inside the spacecraft, which many found distasteful.
The mission itself was historic for its all-female crew, which included Perry, Lauren Sanchez (Bezos’ fiancée), journalist Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist and bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
However, the mission has drawn widespread criticism. Emily Ratajkowski took to TikTok to condemn the space trip, calling it “beyond parody” and accusing the women of “destroying the planet.” She also expressed being “disgusted” by their antics. Olivia Wilde mocked the landing by commenting on her Instagram Story, saying, “Billion dollars bought some good memes I guess,” referencing Perry’s dramatic kiss of the ground after landing. Olivia Munn also chimed in on the Today show, calling the mission “obnoxious” and questioning its contribution to humanity. Amy Schumer joined in by sarcastically mocking the trip, saying she was added last-minute and showing a Black Panther toy she brought with her “for no reason,” jokingly saying it had no meaning.
In contrast, Gayle King has defended the space trip, emphasizing that it was far from frivolous. She expressed disappointment at the online trolling and hurtful comments, stating she didn’t appreciate the negativity surrounding her involvement in the mission.
While Perry has yet to address the criticisms directly, it’s clear that the space trip, and particularly its highly publicized moments, have stirred up a considerable amount of debate about the intersection of celebrity culture, environmental concerns, and space tourism.