Katy Perry & Crew Spark Backlash After Returning from Space: 'This Is Legit Like The Hunger Games'

The "Teenage Dream" singer and her team of all women were launched on a Blue Origin rocket this Monday, but the feat ignited mixed reactions from netizens.

On April 14, 2025, Katy Perry plus her crew, which included Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn, went to space and experienced weightlessness for 11 minutes aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket. The footage was broadcast live for the world to see, but it quickly sparked backlash from people online.

Bezos' New Shepard launch vehicle took off from West Texas on Monday at 9:31 a.m. Eastern time and reached the edge of space, where the first all-female crew in 60 years got to experience zero gravity. It was considered a highly successful flight.

Perry was undoubtedly the most high-profile person there, and King mentioned that she began singing "What a Wonderful World" once they all returned to their seats and were coming back to Earth. The singer was also holding a daisy in honor of her daughter.

However, although many celebrated the impressive expedition, several netizens had mixed opinions. A few were very angry. "It is legit like the hunger games...the district 1 folk will always have the advantage while the rest of us struggle [sic]," one wrote.

Someone else added, "Good grief... it was an 11 minute [sic] joy ride. They did NOT go into space. They are NOT astronauts. The 'mission' accomplished nothing. There is an awful lot of drama going on over nothing."

Another online viewer expressed, "Do NOT ever want to hear any of these 'celebrities' talk about 'carbon emissions', 'climate change', 'stop oil' .. ok? this is VANITY [sic]." One person opined, "There are so many people hurting in this world and these fools are making a ridiculous display of themselves."

Someone else stated, "Actually they didnt go into Orbit. Only high enough to feel the weightlessness of traveling at that speed with the earth. They never broke into space [sic]."

However, others were excited for Perry and the other women. One netizen wrote, "The kids are extremely pumped that you're back safe and want to know if you saw aliens 😂 🙏🏽 👽." Someone else agreed with that sentiment, "I'm so glad she’s ok."

Another fan said, "Katy Perry IS THE MOMENT, catch it HATERS 😘." Someone added, "ASTRONAUT KATY PERRY." And one person on Twitter posted, "A joyful thing to witness."