April 14, 2025 — Global pop icon Katy Perry made headlines this week as she joined a historic all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket for a suborbital spaceflight that combined spectacle, symbolism, and star power.
The mission, designated NS-31, marks the first all-women spaceflight since cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963. Perry was joined by a high-profile crew: Lauren Sánchez (journalist and fiancée of Jeff Bezos), Gayle King (TV personality), Amanda Nguyen (activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee), Aisha Bowe (aerospace engineer), and Kerianne Flynn (producer and philanthropist).
A Ten-Minute Journey Beyond the Earth
Launched from West Texas, the flight lasted approximately 10 minutes, during which the capsule crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. The passengers experienced three minutes of weightlessness, during which Katy Perry delivered a surprising zero-gravity performance of “What a Wonderful World.”
Adding a personal and artistic touch, she unveiled a butterfly-shaped card listing the setlist of her upcoming world tour, “Lifetimes,” and carried a daisy flower in honor of her daughter, Daisy Dove.
Symbolism and Criticism
While the flight was widely celebrated as a symbol of female empowerment in space exploration, it also drew mixed reactions from the public and media. Some praised it as a milestone in making space more inclusive, while others viewed it as a promotional stunt.
Actress Olivia Wilde and model Emily Ratajkowski were among the critics, calling the flight “tone-deaf” and “excessive” given current global crises. “A billion dollars bought some great selfies and memes,” Wilde wrote on social media, referencing the cost of private space tourism.
Perry Remains Silent, Focuses on Tour
Katy Perry has not publicly responded to the backlash, instead focusing on the launch of her “Lifetimes” tour, which is set to begin this summer. According to her team, the spaceflight was “a dream come true and a tribute to human imagination, art, and exploration.”
Looking Ahead
Blue Origin has announced further missions aiming to bring more artists, scientists, and educators into space. The NS-31 mission may signal a future where space becomes not only a scientific frontier but also a stage for creativity and cultural exchange.