As fans question the stunt’s environmental impact and how legitimate the journey was, a PR expert has given her opinion on Katy Perry’s 11-minute spacewalk.
Katy Perry has never been one to avoid a spectacle. She has built her career off of being bold, bright, and unapologetically out-there, dressing in candy-colored outfits and performing on cartoon stage shows.
But this week, Katy took “out of this world” literally – with a headline-grabbing trip to space. Only, the response wasn’t as positive as she might’ve expected. Instead, the pop icon found herself in a media storm as fans questioned the legitimacy of her stunt.
The pop megastar, 40, was one of six women to fly in the Blue Origin NS-31 from Texas on Monday in a mission funded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezo’s space exploration company. The 11-minute journey has been criticised for its questionable environmental impact, and for the bizarre and dramatic antics of the crew, including Katy.
READ MORE: Katy Perry’s most cringe moments from Blue Origin space stunt she’s now regretting
What should have been a powerful moment of female empowerment, in the opinion of PR and personal branding expert Mayah Riaz, has turned into what she refers to as “a PR black hole.”
“Katy didn’t just shoot for the stars – she launched herself into a PR black hole,” Mayah tells the Mirror.
It appeared to be a slam dunk on paper. A woman in space inspires the next generation while pushing boundaries. However, it simply didn’t land for many.
“The big question is why she did it,” Mayah says. “In my opinion, this was a calculated brand move. Katy’s always been known for her eccentric image – she thrives on reinvention. A space flight fits with her whole ‘out of this world’ vibe.”
The gamble didn’t work out this time, though.
She got eye rolls, according to Mayah, rather than applause. Even some of the other celebs weren’t impressed. Everything has a tone and timing. Flying off in a billionaire’s rocket feels completely tone-deaf because of people’s financial difficulties and planet-related concerns.
And the attempt to incorporate a message promoting “femin empowerment”?
Mayah claims that “it felt forced.” You don’t buy empowerment with a space flight or a selfie in zero gravity, they say.
Katy also made her daughter known for the first time during the trip, adding an additional layer to the backlash, which ended up being overshadowed by the controversy.
According to Mayah, “that was a very personal reveal meant to humanize her.” Even that heartfelt moment felt out of sync or, worse, misjudged because of the incorrect backdrop.
Reports have since suggested Katy regrets introducing her daughter to the world. Mayah believes there is a way to recover, despite the possibility that the decision may have backfired.
That regret is “real and actually quite relatable.” Katie has the ability to completely revert to the overexposure and reshape those boundaries. That is wisdom, not weakness.
Mayah claims that Katy must remain calm in the wake of the criticism. She ought to address it. Fans want to know why she did it, what it meant, and, most importantly, how she is incorporating this feedback.
A sincere interview or open post on social media could be very helpful. Mayah claims Katy needs to follow up her empowerment message with action if she really wants to double down.
“Fund female STEM scholarships. collaborate with female aerospace engineers. That’s how you make the message meaningful.
Mayah believes that this incident doesn’t need to change Katy’s character in spite of the criticism.
“Cancell culture is a topic that we frequently discuss. However, no one is fired for a single PR error. When they reject it, they are terminated. She can make this mistake a breakthrough if Katy is humble and genuine.
READ MORE: Top Tech: Deals writer shares two ways to get free Samsung earbuds in Sky’s rare Easter sale
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply