Wendy's mocks Katy Perry after her space flight backlash
- Wendy's faces backlash after mocking Katy Perry's Blue Origin space flight.
- A source close to Katy Perry states that Wendy's comments were disrespectful and inappropriate.
- The controversy raises questions about the social responsibilities of large brands in their marketing communications.
Recently, in the U.S., Wendy's fast-food chain faced backlash for mocking pop star Katy Perry after her return from an all-women Blue Origin space flight. This incident began shortly after Perry, alongside other notable women including Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez, completed an 11-minute suborbital journey to the edge of space. Instead of celebrating her achievement, Wendy's chose to take a playful jab at Perry on their social media, implying they would prefer sending her back to space and referencing her song in a derogatory manner. The mocking posts, which aimed to be humorous, were met with significant criticism from fans and observers who felt the comments were inappropriate and disrespectful toward Perry. The backlash also included statements from a source close to Perry, who indicated that the comments were not merely cheeky but reflected a larger trend of demeaning women in positions of achievement. The negative reaction highlighted concerns about the responsibilities of large brands when engaging in social media commentary about celebrity actions. Wendy’s media relations attempted to clarify their position, asserting they have respect for Perry's talents, but the controversy has raised questions about whether their posts were in good taste or if they crossed a line into bullying. While Wendy's often engages in playful banter with competitors, this instance seemed to resonate differently, prompting discussions about the impact of corporate humor on social issues and women’s representation in fields traditionally dominated by men. The incident comes amid heightened awareness of women's achievements in various industries, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). As the conversation evolves, Wendy's has yet to issue a formal apology, despite calls from several fronts, including fellow space travelers and commentators, suggesting that an acknowledgment of hurt feelings and a shift in messaging may be necessary for rebuilding trust with their audience.