The recent all-women Blue Origin space mission was supposed to be a groundbreaking moment for female empowerment, showcasing some incredible women who have made their mark.
The crew included pop star Katy Perry, news anchor Gayle King, and journalist Lauren Sanchez, embarking on an 11-minute space journey that aimed to highlight how women are breaking barriers.
But instead of the mission being celebrated, it’s sparked an unexpected wave of backlash that has even reignited an old celebrity feud between Katy Perry and Kesha.
What was supposed to be a historic and empowering moment in space exploration quickly became a source of controversy, with criticism coming from unexpected places, including a surprising remark from fast food chain Wendy’s.
Wendy’s Throws Shade at Katy Perry
After the space mission, Wendy’s didn’t hold back. The fast food chain took to Twitter/X, leaving a cheeky comment under a photo of Perry in her Blue Origin space suit.
When the post from Pop Crave read, “Katy Perry has returned from space,” Wendy’s responded with a sharp, “Can we send her back?”
It didn’t stop there—Kesha seemed to add fuel to the fire by posting a picture of herself enjoying a Wendy’s shake, flashing a smile that many fans took as a subtle dig at Perry.
Speculation quickly spread that Kesha’s post was aimed at Perry, especially given their long-standing tensions surrounding Perry’s collaboration with controversial music producer Dr. Luke.
Kesha’s Subtle Dig at Katy Perry
To understand the context, we have to rewind to the public fallout between Kesha and Dr. Luke.
Kesha accused Dr. Luke of sexual abuse in 2014, and although the case was dismissed by a judge in 2016, Kesha’s legal battle with him dragged on for years.
In 2023, after a decade-long ordeal, the case was settled out of court.
Katy Perry, on the other hand, made headlines when she collaborated with Dr. Luke on her 2024 album, which sparked backlash from Kesha and her supporters.
Fans saw Kesha’s recent post as a way of expressing her frustration with Perry’s decision to work with the same person who was at the center of Kesha’s abuse allegations.
The Backlash Against Katy Perry
Kesha’s seemingly innocent Wendy’s shake selfie wasn’t the only thing causing waves.
Perry herself faced a significant online backlash after returning from her space flight.
Her emotional reaction, where she held up a flower and kissed the ground after stepping out of the capsule, was seen by many as “try-hard” and “tone-deaf.”
Some critics found her remarks about love and empowerment during the mission to be insincere, especially considering the controversial nature of her collaboration with Dr. Luke.
According to sources, Kesha felt that Perry deserved some of the criticism she was receiving.
The insider revealed, “Kesha doesn’t think it’s petty at all. She thinks Katy deserves any shade she can get.”
Other Celebrities Weigh In on the Mission
Kesha wasn’t the only one criticizing the Blue Origin mission. Emily Ratajkowski expressed her disgust with the mission, describing it as “beyond parody” in a TikTok rant.
She questioned the mission’s environmental impact, calling out the hypocrisy of a space exploration project funded by a company that she believes is contributing to environmental destruction.
Similarly, Olivia Wilde and Olivia Munn shared their disapproval.
Wilde took to Instagram to poke fun at Perry’s dramatic kiss on the ground, writing, “Billion dollars bought some good memes I guess.”
Meanwhile, Munn criticized the whole concept of space travel in the current climate, asking, “What are they doing? Like why?”
Critics Question the Mission’s Purpose
As the backlash grew, many people started questioning whether the Blue Origin mission was worth the cost, especially in a world facing numerous pressing issues.
Munn pointed out the irony of such an expensive project when many people struggle with everyday expenses.
“There are a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs,” she said, emphasizing the financial gap between the mission and the struggles of everyday people.