Editorial and Opinion Page

Hear Them “Roar”: Critics Erupt in the Wake of 

Katy Perry’s Space Journey

by Kylie Agan

In early April, pop star Katy Perry took to the skies via Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. Accompanied by a group of fellow female celebrities, Perry braved an eleven-minute flight into space in an effort to promote pursuing one’s dreams, even in the face of gender-based prejudice. Perry sought to show her daughter, Daisy, that anything is possible. 

Katy Perry’s adventure into space has received both praises and criticisms, with many of the former relating to how empowering this trip was, and how it bodes well for the future of female astronauts. However, there has been an onslaught of criticism from feminists, environmentalists, and people who simply feel that Perry is out of touch. Many have called her out on a contradiction she created in preaching that space travel is accessible to anyone; in reality, Perry’s seat on the plane cost her around 150,000 dollars, a sum most people are not capable of procuring in a short time. Additionally, people are angry that the Blue Origin passengers are receiving so much acclaim when there are actual astronauts taking trips to space all the time and receiving little to no recognition. In fact, the Blue Origin rocket operated on its own, while many genuine astronauts have to contribute to the operation of their vehicles and the subsequent success of their mission. 

Many have also been criticizing Jeff Bezos’s relationship to the mission. Although Bezos is backing a trip focused on female empowerment, he has repeatedly expressed support for Donald Trump, who has a sordid history of misogyny. Critics worry that Bezos and those who supported the Blue Origin mission are focusing on trivial matters. Additionally, some have pointed out the negative impact that “space tourism” may have on our environment. If enough people are inspired by Perry’s space trip that there is an immense increase in desire for space travel, this would likely mean an increase in greenhouse gas emissions by rockets and further harm to the ozone layer. 

Ultimately, Americans have accused Perry of performative feminism and are upset with her association with Bezos. The Blue Origin space trip raises questions about what truly constitutes female empowerment. Is being a woman about taking a girl's trip to space and kissing the ground when you come back down? Or is it about loving your body and recognizing how fortunate you are to live in the twenty-first century? Womanhood has a different definition to every woman on Earth. Therefore, while Katy Perry’s display of divine femininity may have been misguided, her good intentions should not be entirely overlooked.