Lily Allen apologizes for criticizing Katy Perry's space flight

In a recent episode of her podcast, British pop star and actress Lily Allen expressed regret for her critical remarks about fellow musician Katy Perry, who participated in an all-female space flight. The flight in question, organized by Blue Origin, took place on April 14, 2025, and marked a significant milestone as it was the first all-female mission since 1963. It involved Perry along with five other women traveling to the edge of space, promoting it as a pivotal moment for women's representation in commercial space travel. Allen acknowledged her internalized misogyny while criticizing Perry, stating that her comments were unnecessary and hurtful. Allen's initial comments had come during a podcast episode discussing the space mission, which lasted approximately ten minutes and witnessed the group experience a few moments of weightlessness. She questioned Perry’s involvement, emphasizing the economic hardships that many individuals face, and suggested that the venture was out of touch with current societal issues. Allen mentioned feeling that the flight was framed as a feminist achievement while she personally disagreed with it. Despite her initial backlash, Allen clarified during her apology that she respected Perry's position and realized it was unfair to single her out as a target of criticism. The involvement of high-profile personalities like Perry has attracted both support and criticism, with various public figures voicing their opinions on the mission. For instance, some critics labeled the space flight a “publicity stunt” while others contended it represented progress for women. In her apology, Allen expressed understanding of how she would feel if someone similarly targeted her in the industry, emphasizing the need for solidarity rather than division among women. She spoke of reflecting on the implications of her comments and their potential impact on the public discourse about women’s achievements and representation in fields such as space travel. The conversation ignited discussions about the intersection of feminism and consumerism, questioning the true progress represented by such high-profile space tourism endeavors.