Katy Perry faces heat for space trip while attending Davos climate talks: ‘Burned 498 tons of fuel’

Katy Perry, renowned pop sensation, is under fire for her recent venture into space tourism, with critics pointing to contradictions in her environmental commitment. Although her sub-orbital adventure was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement for women, it also raised eyebrows due to the substantial carbon footprint associated with such flights.

Pop star Katy Perry found herself at the centre of growing controversy over climate and celebrity behaviour after her high-profile space tourism flight in April last year. The singer, who arrived in Davos during key talks on environmental issues, was criticised for participating in a space mission that many say undermines the message she now promotes. The American singer attended the event with her boyfriend, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.On April 14, 2025, Perry flew aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket on a sub-orbital flight lasting about 11 minutes. The mission was known as NS-31. It carried six women, including Perry, journalist Gayle King and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe. It was marketed as an all-female crew spaceflight, a milestone in commercial space tourism, which was also meant to encourage the feminist movement. The craft reached the boundary of space, and passengers experienced weightlessness for a brief time before returning to Earth.

Despite the excitement generated by the mission, the environmental cost of such flights became the main reason for the backlash. Social media users and public figures called it wasteful, pointing out that space tourism consumes large amounts of fuel and produces harmful gases that contribute to climate change, especially global warming, causing carbon emissions. The Internet called the trip “hypocritical”, given Perry’s public advocacy for climate action and environmental protection.Katy’s small journey for fame likely created greenhouse gas emissions and water vapour high in the atmosphere, which can have a warming effect.Fans of Perry said celebrities should not be singled out for participating in opportunities that are available only to a very wealthy few. They argued that space tourism is still in its infancy and that flights like this can inspire public interest in science and exploration. Other celebrities like Taylor Swift have also faced backlash for using private jets for small trips. Perry attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where she was seen supporting Trudeau as he spoke on the value of “soft power” and international cooperation. She watched Trudeau’s remarks from the front row and was present at related Davos events.