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Blue Origin All-Female Space Mission Faces Criticism Despite Female Empowerment Message
This week’s all-female Blue Origin space mission, featuring Katy Perry, has garnered significant attention, though not for its intended message of female empowerment. Instead, the brief suborbital spaceflight has faced considerable backlash due to its exorbitant cost, potential environmental impact, and the perceived dramatic behavior of the six-person crew following their return to Earth.
Celebrity Crew and “Tone Deaf” Optics
The Blue Origin flight, funded by Jeff Bezos’ space venture, included pop star Katy Perry, alongside Gayle King, Lauren Sanchez, NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and activist Amanda Nguyen. While the mission aimed to inspire, its public image was quickly labeled as ‘tone deaf’ and ’embarrassing,’ overshadowing any positive message.
Katy Perry’s Post-Flight Reactions and Regrets
Following the widespread criticism, reports suggest Katy Perry is re-evaluating her participation in the Blue Origin spaceflight. An insider revealed that the negative reaction was unexpected and ‘disheartening’ for the crew. Despite calling the experience “life changing,” Perry reportedly regrets the “public spectacle” it became, according to a source who spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com.
Public Scrutiny of Post-Landing Antics
The most scrutinized moment occurred when Katy Perry exited the Blue Origin capsule. Her actions, including holding up a daisy, kneeling to kiss the ground, and delivering an emotional post-flight interview, drew mockery. Perry expressed feeling ‘super connected to love’ and emphasized the mission was ‘about love and belonging,’ saying it was ‘for the benefit of Earth.’
However, the public quickly criticized Perry’s behavior as excessive, particularly given the recent situation of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were unexpectedly stranded in space for an extended period.
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Regrets Over “Kissing the Ground” and Onboard Spectacle
The source further disclosed that Perry regrets ‘kissing the ground’ and the ‘close-up camera moments’ within the capsule. These moments included displaying a daisy, promoting her upcoming tour setlist, and singing ‘What a Wonderful World’ in microgravity.
Daisy Tribute and Daughter’s Public Debut
Perry reportedly brought the daisy as a tribute to her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom. Her daughter made her first public appearance that day, dressed in an astronaut costume to watch her mother’s spaceflight. The parents intended to make Daisy ‘proud’ and demonstrate that she ‘can do anything’.
Regret Over Shared Pod Footage
Despite the positive intentions, the source now states that Perry ‘regrets sharing the daisy with the world’ and wishes the capsule footage ‘was never shown.’
Celebrity and Brand Backlash
Criticism extended beyond social media users. Several celebrities, including Emily Ratajkowski, Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn, and Amy Schumer, publicly condemned the event as a frivolous publicity stunt for Bezos’ company. Even Wendy’s, the fast-food chain, and pop star Kesha joined the criticism, further amplifying the negative attention.
Environmental Concerns Raised
Beyond the post-flight conduct, the environmental impact of space tourism missions was questioned. While Blue Origin’s rocket releases water vapor, minimizing direct carbon emissions, scientists point out that water vapor still functions as an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. This aspect generated surprise, given Perry’s history of advocating against climate change, including her UNICEF ambassadorship and advocacy since 2013.
Gayle King Defends Mission’s Purpose
As backlash escalated, Gayle King defended the space mission. On CBS Mornings, alongside Aisha Bowe, King addressed accusations of lacking scientific purpose. She expressed irritation at the mission being termed a ‘ride,’ contrasting it with the terms ‘flight’ or ‘journey’ used for male space endeavors. King emphasized the inspirational aspect for women and girls and voiced disappointment at the negative reactions.
Perry “Disheartened” by Criticism
Similar to her crewmates, Perry reportedly ‘never expected this backlash’ and feels ‘disheartened’ by the ‘uncalled for and upsetting’ response. Sources maintain that “despite the accusations she is still an environmentalist.”
Tour Promotion Amidst Controversy
Despite the controversy, Katy Perry has continued promoting her upcoming Lifetimes tour on social media, mirroring her in-flight promotion, suggesting a focus on career advancements despite the mission’s negative reception.