Katy Perry sang in space—but who’s listening from earth?

Katy Perry just made history—and no, it’s not because of a new chart-topper. The pop icon blasted off aboard a Blue Origin rocket this week, joining the first all-female space crew in over 60 years. She was accompanied by five other trailblazing women: Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, journalist Gayle King, activist Amanda Nguyen, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Peery floated weightless in suborbital space, serenading her crewmates with a rendition of 'What a Wonderful World'.

It was a brief but headline-grabbing 11-minute ride into the stratosphere. The images were striking—the symbolism, powerful. And yet, the criticism was equally swift—and louder than expected.

History in the stars, privilege on display

At first glance, the flight felt like a triumphant leap for women in space—an arena long dominated by men. The all-female crew evoked the legacy of Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space back in 1963. But unlike Tereshkova, whose mission was part of a state-run Soviet programme, this crew either bought—or were invited—on board a billionaire’s private venture.

The journey was made possible by Blue Origin, the space tourism company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. And while the rocket may have launched into the heavens, many observers stayed firmly grounded in skepticism.

Cultural critic Amanda Hess summed it up bluntly in The New York Times: “If an all-women spaceflight were chartered by NASA, it might represent the culmination of many decades of serious investment in female astronauts. An all-women Blue Origin spaceflight signifies only that several women have amassed the social capital to be friends with Lauren Sánchez.”

So the real question is: is this truly a win for representation—or just representation by invitation only?

Spectacle over substance?

Critics across social media and media outlets echoed similar sentiments. Actress Olivia Munn, appearing on Today with Jenna & Friends, questioned the optics: “What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous. There are so many other things that are so important in the world right now.”

Model Emily Ratajkowski criticised the venture in a now-viral TikTok, asking how a mission funded by a mega-corporation contributing to environmental degradation could claim to benefit Earth.

Meanwhile, European Space Agency advisor Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl commented that space science and celebrity tourism are fundamentally different pursuits: “A celebrity isn't an envoy of humankind—they go into space for their own reasons.”

To many, this wasn't a mission of discovery—it was a $1,50,000-a-ticket (₹1,28,64,129 approx.) advertisement.

Defending the dream

Despite the backlash, the crew and their supporters were quick to defend the mission. Gayle King, one of its most vocal participants, addressed critics after the flight: “Anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here. We can all speak to the response we're getting from young women… about what this represents.”

Lauren Sánchez shared a similar sentiment: “There’s always positive and negative… Blue Origin’s mission is for the benefit of Earth.” Watching from the ground, Oprah Winfrey offered a heartfelt defence of her friend King, pointing out that the journalist has a deep fear of flying, yet pushed through it for something bigger than herself. “This is her overcoming a wall of fear,” Winfrey said, visibly emotional.

Space as a stage

What this mission represents really depends on where you’re standing. For some, it’s an awe-inspiring moment: six accomplished women floating in space, breaking barriers and embracing wonder. For others, it’s just another display of elite access—an intergalactic red carpet draped in dollar bills and corporate logos.

There’s no doubt that Katy Perry and her fellow crewmates accomplished something rare, even historic. But whether it propels us toward a more inclusive future in space—or simply reinforces who gets to dream beyond Earth—is a question still floating unanswered in the vacuum above.

Lead image: Getty Images

Also read: Katy Perry: If my fiancé does the dishes, I reward him with oral sex

Also read: Katy Perry just debuted the bum corset in thong-flashing lace-up skirt