Singer Katy Perry has acknowledged feeling “battered and bruised” following criticism after her recent space journey, but has assured fans she is fine and will “keep looking to the light”.
In a statement made two weeks after her widely discussed Blue Origin flight — an 11-minute experience with five other women — the American pop icon said the “online world” had turned her into a “human Piñata”.
Her remarks followed an outpouring of support from fans, who funded a billboard in New York ahead of her world tour.
Responding to a fan video of the billboard, Perry expressed deep gratitude, noting that they are “in this beautiful and wild journey together”.
Over the past two decades, Perry has remained one of pop music’s most prominent figures, though public perception has recently grown more critical.
Her latest album received a tepid response, with lead single “Woman’s World” and its accompanying video described by some as outdated.
Perry also faced backlash for participating in Jeff Bezos’s all-female Blue Origin space flight, where she performed “What a Wonderful World” and showcased her new tour’s setlist to the in-flight camera.
Critics argued that celebrity involvement in such high-cost, brief voyages was “tone deaf” given current economic challenges.
Nonetheless, singer Lily Allen apologised this week for passing negative judgment, saying that though she opposed the flight, she regretted contributing to public criticism of Perry.
Support from fans culminated in a crowdfunded digital billboard message displayed in New York’s Times Square for 24 hours.
A Brazilian fan account explained their motivation, saying the gesture aimed to remind Perry that “she is never alone; our love for her is boundless, unwavering, and eternal.”
“We’re so proud of you and your incredible journey, and we love you to the moon and back.
“Know that you are safe, seen, and celebrated. We’ll see you around the world—this is just the beginning.”
Expressing her appreciation, Perry commented: “I love you guys; we’ve grown up together, and I cannot wait to see you across the globe this year!”
“Please know that I am okay. I have done a lot of self-reflection and understand more about who I am and what matters to me.”
She acknowledged her imperfections and described her life as a “human journey, playing the game of life with a large audience—and sometimes I stumble.”
“But I always get back up and continue playing, and somehow, through my battered and bruised adventure, I keep seeking the light—in that light, a new level emerges.”
Perry added: “When the ‘online’ world tries to make me a human Piñata, I respond with grace and send love, knowing that many people are hurting and that the internet is often an outlet for the unhealed.”
The pop star, known for hits like “Roar”, “Firework”, and “I Kissed A Girl”, has embarked on a global tour, which will run through December with stops in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.
Perry expressed her enthusiasm for “seeing your faces every night, singing together, reading your notes, and feeling your warmth”.
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