Katy Perry Addresses Backlash Over Blue Origin Space Flight: “I Thought I Was the Most Hated Person on the Internet”

May 15, 2025 : Pop icon Katy Perry has spoken out about the wave of online criticism she faced following her space flight with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin in April, sharing her reflections during a recent performance on her Lifetimes Tour.

In a viral fan video from the concert, Perry paused to respond to overwhelming applause from the crowd, quipping:
“Well, I thought I was the most hated person on the internet.”
She added with a smile, “I think that’s false,” as fans continued cheering.

Perry was part of a high-profile crew on the April Blue Origin mission, which also included Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn. The brief flight to the Kármán line, about 62 miles above Earth, lasted just four minutes in space.

Upon landing, Perry and King were seen emotionally kissing the ground, visibly moved by the experience. During the zero-gravity portion of the flight, Perry sang a few lines of “What a Wonderful World,” a moment she later described as surreal.

On Instagram, Perry shared her gratitude and introspection:

“Still processing this incredible journey… Thank you @blueorigin and to my space sisters, taking up space AND making room in space for all – 143.”

However, her participation in the expensive spaceflight sparked backlash online, with some accusing her of elitism. On April 29, Perry addressed the negativity in an Instagram comment on a fan video:

“Please know I am ok. I’ve done a lot of work around knowing who I am, what is real, and what is important to me.”

She recalled a piece of advice from her therapist that helped her stay grounded:

“No one can make you believe something about yourself that you don’t already believe about yourself.”

Perry added:

“When the ‘online’ world tries to make me a human pinata, I take it with grace and send them love, because I know so many people are hurting… and the internet is a dumping ground for unhinged and unhealed.”

The singer kicked off her Lifetimes Tour in Mexico on April 23, and will wrap up the international run in Abu Dhabi this December.