Katy Perry and the Blue Origin crew lands on Earth, but the internet isn’t loving it: Here’s why

Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket landed on Earth after successfully completing its 11th human spaceflight, carrying an all-female crew that included popstar Katy Perry. The crew touched down on Earth after a brief but groundbreaking journey to the edge of space.
Yet, despite the achievement, the internet’s reaction has been less than celebratory. From skepticism about celebrity involvement to broader critiques of space tourism, here’s why the online world is buzzing with shade.
What makes the flight culturally and scientifically important is that it's the first all-female space crew. The crew included six talented and successful women from various fields - Popstar Katy Perry, aerospace engineer and retired NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyễn, seasoned journalist and co-anchor of CBS Morning Gayle King, pilot-journalist and fiancee of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos Lauren Sánchez, and documentary filmmaker and science communicator Kerianne Flynn.

The flight which lasted around 11 minutes, crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space, and the crew floated and experienced weightlessness.

“What a privilege to witness this crew of trailblazers depart the capsule today,” Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President, New Shepard said. “Each of these women is a storyteller who will use their voices—individually and together—to channel their life-changing experience today into creating lasting impact that will inspire people across our planet for generations. Thank you to this remarkable crew for uplifting so many on their historic journey toward the stars and back.”

The trailblazers, however, aren’t receiving positive feedback from netizens. Many aren’t as enthusiastic about the crew, and some have questioned the achievements of women, that made them deserving for the flight.
An X user was irked about referring the women as ‘astronaut crew’. The netizen shared a picture of Sally Ride, the first American woman to go to space, and wrote, “THIS is a female astronaut. Physics degree from Stanford and several years of training. These women going up in Blue Origin are celebrities going for a 10 minute RIDE in low orbit. They are not astronauts or a “crew”. In fact, calling them that is an insult to all prior women astronaut women scientists.”

A netizen criticized the women for being very conscious about the cameras, rather than looking out."So much time worried about the cameras around them instead is looking out at the world," wrote one.
Another agreed, "Almost none of them is looking through the window, they're looking at the camera of their damn phone. What a waste."


A netizen asked the one's criticizing to look at the bigger picture. "People are truly missing the bigger picture here. This is about space exploration for all. This is a huge leap for humanity. This is showing how everyday people can go to space and come back safely. This is awesome."
One wrote, "Weightless, sure. But you're only up there for 5 minutes. How is that limitless? I like BO's long term plan of going to space, but stop acting like this is it. It's a carnival ride and it doesn't make anyone an astronaut."
There is a meme fest on X, mostly criticizing Katy Perry.

Another criticized Katy Perry's reaction, when she landed on Earth, "Katy Perry went to space for like 4 minutes wt* is she kissing the ground for."

One X user wrote, "Finally Katy Perry takes the mantle from Meghan Markle, as the world's most annoying person..."

Another commented, "why did i think katy perry would stay in space for a few days/weeks."

One said, "Wait- I’m supposed to believe that Katy Perry and Gayle King went to space in full make up and lashes???"