Cliff Notes
I’m sick of Katy Perry pretending her space trip was a feminist win
- Katy Perry’s recent space trip with Blue Origin, framed as a feminist statement, has drawn criticism for being a superficial publicity stunt rather than a genuine contribution to women’s empowerment in science.
- Critics argue that the trip, which included wealthy individuals like Jeff Bezos, highlights the disparity between the ultra-rich’s leisure activities and the pressing issues faced by women on Earth, undermining the intended message of inspiration.
- The backlash against Perry’s portrayal of feminism is compounded by her ongoing collaboration with controversial producer Dr. Luke, raising questions about her commitment to genuine empowerment versus self-promotion.
I’m sick of Katy Perry pretending her space trip was a feminist win
‘All for the benefit of Earth.’
Of all the reactions to Katy Perry going into space, perhaps the woman herself had the most preposterous.
Perry, 40, was one of the six women on board during the all-female Blue Origin 10-minute space trip to the Kármán line, considered by many to be the edge of space.
The trip, the first all-female space team in 60 years, was apparently supposed to inspire young women to love science and see that women really can do anything.
Perry said she ‘hopes her journey encourages her daughter and others to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively’.
While this surface-level message is positive, it’s difficult to understand why this mission would inspire anyone.
Attempting to boost her vanity trip, Perry said in an interview: ‘It’s about making space for future women, and taking up space, and belonging.
Well, sorry to bring Katy back to Earth, but what a load of tosh
While this surface-level message is positive, it’s difficult to understand why this mission would inspire anyone.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is the billionaire tech oligarch behind Blue Origin, and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez was part of the ‘crew’, as they were called, even though they were more like passengers.
But I can’t work out how rich people going on a jolly to space is for the ‘benefit of Earth?’
I am not inspired by the ultra-wealthy spending time in mansions or on private yachts, so why on earth would I be inspired by this charade of female empowerment?
To be clear, nothing has been achieved
Katy Perry is not a trailblazing astronaut; she is a space-tourist, which is not a title that needs to exist or be praised or emulated.
Emily Ratajkowski may have said it best as she told her TikTok followers she was ‘disgusted’ by the space trip.
She isn’t alone in her thoughts, as celebrities and members of the public have united in their hatred for this horrifically misjudged launch.
But it points at a wider issue with Katy Perry in particular.
It seems as if The Dark Horse singer has wanted to be thought of as a feminist icon for years.
The star has aimed to project surface-level empowerment as best highlighted by her most recent hit, Woman’s World.
All the while, the video cut to shots of Katy pouring whiskey on herself, holding a vibrator, and pushing her breasts together. The song was filled with bland, generic lyrics such as: ‘It’s a woman’s world
‘And you’re lucky to be living in it. Sexy, confident, so intelligent, she is heaven-sent, so soft, so strong.’
The accompanying music video for the song was even worse than the lyrics and showed sexualised scantily clad women taking on typically male construction jobs while holding sparkly hammers.
All the while the video cut to shots of Katy pouring whiskey on herself, holding a vibrator, and pushing her breasts together.
Like yesterday’s foray into space, it didn’t feel to me like I was watching a new wave of feminism.
The singer responded to the criticism by emphasising on X that the video was satire: ‘We’re kind of just having fun being a bit sarcastic with it, it’s very slapstick and very on the nose.’
Well that attempt at satire was almost as big a misfire as her intergalactic ego trip.
Perry has also continued to collaborate with Dr. Luke on her recent music.
The producer 50, was previously accused by Kesha of raping and drugging her as well as physical and verbal abuse, which he has denied. The two jointly agreed to settle a long-running legal battle in 2023.
‘I understand that it started a lot of conversations and he was one of many collaborators that I collaborated with,’ she said, addressing their collaboration on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
But for many, her work with the producer leaves something of a sour taste.
Women have known for years that a passion for science and space can lead to this kind of role.
And Perry’s latest stunt is another frustrating move from a popstar who, in my view, has used feminism as a way to promote herself – without actually managing to help women at all.
It seems as if the star assumed that the general response to her mission would be: ‘Wow, women in space, this is amazing, women can do anything, and I too want to go to space and learn about science.’
But women have known for years that a passion for science and space can lead to this kind of role. That usually involves hard work, dedication, and even luck, not sucking up to a billionaire.
The New Shepherd space trip only highlighted that the mega-rich, having already done plenty of damage to the Earth, want to make space their new playground.
And so as life becomes increasingly harder for women across the world, this performative expedition feels like more of a punch in the face.
As the rich travel to space for a laugh, women are losing basic human rights here on Earth.
Perry should either take action to empower women in a substantial way or quit this feminist charade and stop using it as a tool to engineer her fame and fortune.
Additional sources
Katy Perry really went to space. It’s the most Katy Perry thing she’s done yet. | Opinion – USA Today
Blue Origin Crew of 6 Women, Including Gayle King and Katy Perry, Land Safely After Space Trip – The New York Times
Let’s stop pretending Katy Perry’s space trip wasn’t a crass PR stunt – euronews.com