Lily Allen Acknowledges Misjudgment in Katy Perry's Space Flight Critique
Jeff Bezos, Amazon mogul, pioneered earlier this month, with Katy Perry on board, the Blue Origin mission, which was all-female. This historic mission attracted wide attention, with participants including Gayle King, a journalist; Kerianne Flynn, a filmmaker; Amanda Nguyen, a scientist; Aisha Bowe, a tech entrepreneur; and Lauren Sánchez, a writer. Though the project aimed to raise awareness of women's contributions to innovation and exploration, it was met with severe backlash online. Among celebrities, Olivia Munn called it "gluttonous," while Emily Ratajkowski professed that she felt "disgusting." Likewise, Lily Allen termed the trip "out of touch," appending that there was "no fucking reason" for it.
Owning Up: Allen’s Apology and Self-Reflection
But in an episode of her podcast titled "Miss Me?", published some time recently, Lily Allen took back what she said about someone. Speaking candidly to co-host Miquita Oliver, the 'Smile' singer admitted she regretted targeting Perry so personally. “I would like to apologize for being mean about Katy Perry last week,” Allen shared. The comments had more to do with her and her own internalized biases that she was commenting on. Allen noted, “There was no need for me to bring her name into it... It was my own internalized misogyny.”
That said, however, while she continues to hold that opinion, it is unfair to single out Perry, the most famous of the lot, for mockery about the symbolic significance of the space flight. After all, Perry did not undertake this journey alone; the criticism was disproportionately directed at her because of her status as a celebrity. More than that, introspection from Allen indicates a larger debate on how women in the public eye are held to different standards compared to their male equivalents.
Perry Faces Mixed Reactions Beyond Spaceflight
Many online commentators kept their eye on her for reasons not tied to her space excursion. Her Lifetimes tour, which recently began in Mexico City, has good and bad comments on the net for what fans perceived as underwhelming performances. People ridiculed her choreography, dubbing it "lifeless and over-rehearsed." "Doing so much but nothing at the same time," tweeted a fan after the concert footage emerged. "What is the Star Wars??" said another.
Nonetheless, these reactions have done little to shake Perry’s visibility. Irrespective of the mixed reviews, she keeps drawing attention on social platforms. Still, not all feedback was critical; while some fans were unimpressed, others defended the performance, suggesting viewers should wait for official stage visuals before passing judgment. Yet the criticism coincided with her announcement to cancel two upcoming shows in Guadalajara, as the venue construction won’t be completed in time.
Public Figures and the Double Standard in Scrutiny
Perry is in the spotlight by being Perry, much more than her co-travelers, who are also criticized or praised by the same audience. Even if Perry was wrong, she still finds herself in the media limelight for reasons beyond her decisions. Lily Allen's scenario serves to remind us that public conversations need accountability, empathy, and an open disposition for questioning one's bias.
