Katy Perry is addressing the buzz and backlash following her recent trip to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.
The pop star joined Lauren Sanchez and Gayle King as part of an all-female crew launched just beyond Earth’s atmosphere in a short but headline-making 11-minute mission. The high-profile flight has drawn mixed reactions, especially after Perry’s emotional return, during which she kissed the ground in a dramatic Instagram post.
“It was very profound,” she wrote. Critics weren’t impressed. Joe Rogan poked fun at her response, joking that she’s “basically a guru now,” while even Martha Stewart shaded the singer for overreacting.
The backlash hasn’t gone unnoticed by Perry, who subtly addressed the controversy during a concert in Mexico on Thursday. “Has anyone ever called your dreams crazy?” she asked the crowd, clearly referencing her lifelong dream of going to space, a goal she’s been open about. In a pre-launch interview with Elle, Perry said she’s been pursuing commercial space travel for nearly two decades.
Despite the personal significance for Perry, many onlookers questioned the intent and optics of the mission. Some criticized the billion-dollar price tag and the idea of framing the trip as a meaningful step for women in science. Model and activist Emily Ratajkowski slammed the flight, saying it “optically looks like progress” but ultimately reflects life in an “oligarchy,” where a small elite indulges in luxury space tourism while most people struggle with everyday necessities.
Still, Perry remains undeterred. During the same show, she invited two fans dressed in blue spacesuits onstage, saying, “They are dressed like my most current timeline.” It was a playful nod to the launch and perhaps to the scrutiny she’s faced.
Though critics argue the mission was tone-deaf or performative, Perry seems to be embracing the experience and doubling down on her dreams. Whether her response inspires or annoys, it’s clear she’s not backing down from this otherworldly chapter in her life.
