LONDON, UK – Singer-songwriter Lily Allen has publicly apologised to fellow pop star Katy Perry for what she now deems “mean” comments made following Perry’s recent headline-making trip to space. Allen, 39, admitted on her podcast that her criticism was likely fueled by “internalised misogyny” and that singling out Perry was “completely unnecessary.”
The apology comes just days after Allen, co-hosting her “Miss Me?” podcast with Miquita Oliver, took aim at Perry, 40, and the all-female crew who embarked on the suborbital flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft earlier this month. Allen had questioned the relevance and timing of the trip, particularly in the context of a looming recession and widespread economic struggles.
“Do we want to talk about Katy Perry and her mates all going up to space for 12 minutes?” Allen had quipped on the April 17th episode. “I mean, what the f***ing hell is that all about? But in all seriousness, what? Why?” She further labelled the venture as “so out of touch.”
However, in a notable shift, Allen used the latest episode of her podcast to backtrack on her specific targeting of Perry. “I would actually like to apologise for being mean about Katy Perry last week,” Allen stated. “There was actually no need for me to bring her name into it, and it was my own internalised misogyny.”
Allen elaborated on her change of perspective, explaining, “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and it was just completely unnecessary to pile on with her. I mean, I disagree with what it was that they did, but she wasn’t the only person who did it. Yet, she was possibly the most famous and the one that, you know, it divides people the most. There was something in me that decided to choose her as the person that should… Well, anyway, I’m just sorry.”
Expressing direct remorse, Allen added, “I would have been hurt if it had been me and someone in my industry used me and my name. And I saw that, and I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Katy Perry. I know you don’t listen to the show, but, yeah, sorry.”
Allen’s initial criticism echoed sentiments shared by other celebrities, including model Emily Ratajkowski, who branded the space mission a “parody.” The all-female crew, which included broadcaster Gayle King and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s fiancée Lauren Sanchez, was intended to highlight female empowerment in space exploration. However, it drew flak for its perceived disconnect from pressing global issues.
Perry herself has largely remained silent on the backlash, describing the 11-minute journey as “life-changing.” Gayle King, however, defended the mission, stating that “there was nothing frivolous about what we do” and that space exploration aims to improve life on Earth.
Lily Allen’s public apology marks a significant moment in the aftermath of the controversial space flight, with the singer taking responsibility for singling out Perry and attributing her remarks to her own internal biases. It remains to be seen whether Perry will publicly acknowledge the apology.