Lily Allen apologizes for ‘mean' comments about Katy Perry's space mission, blames her internalized misogyny
Lily Allen apologized for her comments about Katy Perry and the controversial Blue Origin New Shepard space launch.
On April 14, the 'Firework' artist took part in the first all-female mission to the stars in the last 60 years alongside TV show host Gayle King, journalist Lauren Sanchez (wife of Jeff Bezos), civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe.
Perry performed Louis Armstrong's 'What A Wonderful World' and promoted her Life Times Tour in space. When she returned to earth, she was filmed kissing the ground and told a press representative she felt 'super connected to love.'
The 11-minute flight, led by Bezos' private aerospace technology company, garnered widespread criticism from various A-listers online, with many questioning the merit behind the supposedly feminist message.
However, Allen, 39, doubled back on her original judgment in the most recent episode of her podcast, Miss Me?.
'I would actually like to apologize for being mean about Katy Perry last week. There was actually no need for me to bring her name into it, and it was my own internalized misogyny,' she said. 'I've been thinking about it a lot, and it was just completely unnecessary to pile on with her.
'I do disagree with what it was that they did, but she wasn't the only person that did it,' Allen continued. 'She was possibly the most famous and the one that divides people the most, and so, I don't know, there was something in me that decided to choose her as the person that should… Anyway, I just, I'm really sorry.'
Allen first spoke out against the mission during the April 17 episode of her podcast.
'Do we want to talk about Katy Perry and her mates all going up to space for 12 minutes?' she said. 'I mean, what the frickin' hell was that all about? No, but in all seriousness, what? Why?'
She continued: 'I just think it's so out of touch. We're on the brink of recession, people are really fucking struggling to make ends meet and get food on their table.'
Allen's co-host, Miquita Oliver, added: 'And not really the most appropriate time to send Katy Perry into space.'
The 'Smile' singer responded: 'For absolutely no f***ing reason! It's like… We send people to space to discover things, like scientific reason.
'And the fact that they have made it some sort of feminist thing,' she continued.
The Independent has contacted Perry's representatives for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
6 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Debbie Allen
When Debbie Allen opened the doors to her dance academy in 2000 inside of a revamped Marie Callender's restaurant in Culver City, there was no other place in town like it that catered to disenfranchised Black and Latino communities. The school became a haven for dancers of all backgrounds wanting to learn from the multifaceted performer, who chasséd into the Hollywood scene with her career-defining performance as Lydia Grant in the 1980 musical 'Fame.' Allen went onto become an award-winning director and producer for shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' (which she also stars in), 'How to Get Away With Murder,' 'A Different World,' 'Jane the Virgin' and 'Everybody Hates Chris.' Fast forward 25 years, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy now resides in a 25,000-square-foot 'arts' palace in Mid City at the Rhimes Performing Arts Center (named after Allen's longtime friend and colleague Shonda Rhimes). It's more active than ever with a newly accredited middle school, a summer intensive program, a tap festival and annual 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' holiday show. Next up, Allen is hosting her third free community block party on June 8 on Washington Boulevard, featuring dance classes with world-renowned choreographers like Marguerite Derricks and a breakdancing competition with Silverback Bboy Events. And on June 22, Allen will host Dancing in the Light: Healing with the Arts, a bimonthly event that features free dance lessons for those impacted by the wildfires. The event will take place at the Wallis in Beverly Hills and will feature classes taught by choreographers Lyrik Cruz (salsa), Angela Jordan (African) and Anthony Berry (hip-hop). 'It's been wonderful that this community has been able to see each other and have a bit of joy,' Allen said during a Zoom call from Atlanta, where she was working on a new TV pilot. We caught up with Allen, who's lived in L.A. for nearly 40 years, to learn about how she'd spend her perfect Sunday in the city. Much like when she was a child growing up in Houston, Sundays are centered around family and spending time with her four grandchildren who 'own' her weekends, she said. On the call sheet is getting breakfast in Santa Monica, hosting a free dance class and catching a movie at Westfield Century City. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. 7 a.m.: Wake up the grandbabies On a typical Sunday, I would wake up at 7 a.m. My [eldest] grandchildren spend the night with us every Saturday. I have four grandkids who are 6, 4, and two who are 6 months old. The little ones are just now getting to where their parents might let us keep them overnight. My room has turned into a nursery. First, we deal with our dog CoCo. We have a beautiful black German shepherd who is amazing. She's such a good family dog and incredible guard dog. She just glistens, just pure black, and she's wonderful with the kids. So we have to let her out and she wants to play. Then we get ready to go to breakfast. 9 a.m..: Time for breakfast We always go out somewhere for breakfast. We either go to a nearby hotel or we go to Marmalade in Santa Monica. They have very fresh croissants, little biscuits with currants and scones. They also have really good omelets and turkey bacon. Then the neighborhood people are there, so we see people that we've met and have gotten to know over the years. There's one man in particular who is always reading books and we can always get a new idea of a book to read. 11 a.m.: Host a free dance class Then we'd come back and on any given Sunday, I might be on my way to Dancing in the Light: Healing with the Arts, where I've been doing these dance classes for all the people who have been impacted by the fires. We've been doing this for months and it's been amazing. We've had tremendous support from Wallis Annenberg, United Way, Shonda Rhimes, Berry Gordy, just so many individuals who have supported. We do classes all over, which start at 11 a.m. But if we're not doing the Dancing in the Light event, sometimes we like to go to the California Science Center, which the kids love. It's great because there's so much going on there now. 2:30 p.m.: Tennis time I'll head back home to catch the kids having their tennis lesson. They are starting to play at this young age and it's so cute. 5 p.m.: Early dinner and a movie We'd either start preparing family dinner because I have a son who has his 6-month-old and my daughter, Vivian, who has her three kids. Or we'd go out to dinner. We love to go to Ivy at the Shore because it's very family-friendly and they have a lot of options. We also like going to Chinois. It's a Wolfgang Puck spot. We'd have an early dinner around 5 p.m. If we don't go out to eat, we might go to the movies. We love going to the movies. We're really close to AMC Santa Monica, but sometimes we'll go to [Westfield] Century City because they have a fantastic food court and the kids like to go up there and pick what they want to eat. 7:30 p.m.: Quality time with MaTurk We'd come back home and spend time with my mom, who we call MaTurk. She's 101 years old. We'd play her favorite music because she was a concert pianist. I did a beautiful piece for her at the Kennedy Center this year based on her book, 'Hawk,' which we republished. It's on sale now. But Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' is her favorite. She played it for me when I was 4 years old, going to sleep on her lap. And my granddaughters are the cutest things with MaTurk. They like to pretend they are the caregivers and they want to brush her hair. They want to massage her legs. It's a sweet thing. 8:30 p.m.: Catch up on our favorite shows After that, it's time to say goodbye to the grandkids. Then my husband and I will nestle in. We're always reading books and watching various series. We've been watching Shonda Rhimes' 'The Residence' lately. We love it! And he also is addicted to 'Power Book.' If I could pick, I'd be in bed by 9:30 p.m.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dakota Johnson blames Madame Web flop on people ‘who don't have a creative bone in their body'
Dakota Johnson has laid the blame for Madame Web's dismal showing at the box office squarely at the feet of people at studios who 'don't have a creative bone in their body'. Johnson played Cassandra Webb, a New York paramedic who crosses paths with three young women, played by Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O'Connor, whom she must protect from a mysterious adversary who wants them destroyed. 'It wasn't my fault,' Johnson told the Los Angeles Times about the film flopping. 'There's this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don't have a creative bone in their body. And it's really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.' 'And I think unfortunately with Madame Web, it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.' The Daddio actor has spoken previously about 'drastic changes' made to the script after she had signed on, as well as her unhappiness at creative choices being made by executives at Hollywood. 'Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms,' she said in March last year. 'My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they're not. Audiences will always be able to sniff out bulls***. Even if films start to be made with [artificial intelligence], humans aren't going to f***ing want to see those.' The Independent has reached out to Sony Pictures for comment. However, Johnson may have relented on never starring in superhero films. She said last year that she 'probably will never do anything like it again because I don't make sense in that world'. She has told the LA Times now that she doesn't 'have a Band-Aid over it'. 'There's no part of me that's like, 'Oh, I'll never do that again' to anything. I've done even tiny movies that didn't do well. Who cares?' The Independent's Clarrise Loughrey labeled Madame Web 'a desperate comic book misfire that seems embarrassed by its own existence,' in her one-star review. Johnson will be seen next in Celine Song's Materialists, where she stars opposite Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, as a New York City matchmaker who finds herself 'torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex'. The A24 film, set to be released internationally on 15 August, has garnered much buzz online, where fans have celebrated it for being a return to the style of the classic 90s' romantic comedy.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Truly pioneering Southampton cruise ship celebrates 10th anniversary
It's hard to believe it's been a decade since Anthem of the Seas first graced the waters, a true titan of the seas that quickly became synonymous with groundbreaking innovation and unforgettable voyages. Calling Southampton her cherished home, this second jewel of Royal Caribbean International's esteemed Quantum Class has continually pushed the boundaries of what a cruise experience can be. Codenamed "Project Sunshine," Royal Caribbean's ambitious vision for a new class of ships started to take shape in February 2011 with an order placed with Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The excitement with the subsequent order for a second ship, and finally, in January 2013, the world learned the official names: Quantum of the Seas and her sister, Anthem of the Seas. The keel of Anthem was laid on a crisp November day in 2013, marking the physical commencement of what would become a truly extraordinary vessel. A momentous day arrived on April 10, 2015, when Anthem of the Seas was officially delivered to Royal Caribbean. Just five days later, she sailed into her first homeport of Southampton, ready to embark on her maiden European summer season. The city embraced her with open arms, and it was in Southampton that a truly unique christening ceremony unfolded on April 20, 2015. Read more: Photos show night club that later became a strip club and then Junk Robbers threatened to set pub landlord and wife alight in terrifying ordeal Forgotten Southampton star who shunned the club in search of fame Breaking from tradition, Royal Caribbean sought a godmother who embodied grace, beauty, social consciousness, and an adventurous spirit, ultimately selecting Emma Wilby, a British travel agent and military wife known for her singing prowess in the Military Wives Choir. The christening itself was a spectacle befitting a ship of Anthem's stature. Held in the vessel's Royal Theatre before 1,300 distinguished guests, the ceremony was a vibrant tapestry of tradition and modern flair. It began with a captivating procession, followed by stirring performances from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and the enchanting Welsh boys' choir, Only Boys Aloud. The highlight, however, was Emma Wilby's powerful rendition of Katy Perry's "Firework," culminating in her pressing a button that sent a bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne soaring down a zipline from the ship's iconic North Star gondola, smashing against a wall bearing the ship's name. From her very inception, Anthem of the Seas was designed to be a pioneer. Boasting 16 passenger-accessible decks and an impressive 2090 passenger cabins, her facilities were, and still are, revolutionary. Her towering rock-climbing wall offered panoramic views, while the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator provided an exhilarating taste of flight. Read more: "Marry Her": Judge's verdict for labourer who reported himself over teen love Rare video shows large Southampton family - and it's MASSIVE! Huge crowds descended on Southampton park for major youth festival One of its most iconic features is the "North Star," a jewel-shaped glass capsule that rises over 300 feet above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views, which have provided unique perspectives of Southampton and the Solent many times. She also boasts a bar where robots mix cocktails. Passengers order their drinks via tablets, selecting from a menu of classic cocktails or getting creative with their own designs or concoctions from a wide selection of spirits and mixers. Robotic arms get to work. They can select ingredients from the inverted bottles above them, muddle, stir, shake, and strain drinks with impressive precision. Beyond these adrenaline-pumping attractions, Anthem offers an array of swimming pools, a tranquil solarium, a state-of-the-art Spa and Fitness Centre, a grand theatre for world-class entertainment, and a casino. Over her ten years of service, Anthem of the Seas has navigated both serene waters and challenging conditions. While the vast majority of her voyages have been seamless, she has encountered a few notable incidents that have only highlighted the robust design and safety protocols in place. In February 2016, she faced extreme wind and sea conditions off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Despite the severity of the storm, which caused damage and minor injuries, the ship and crew admirably managed the situation, prioritising passenger safety. Read more: Life 100 years ago on the outskirts of Southampton - it was TOTALLY different! The 'death' of Southampton: When the city was in deep decline Why this Southampton pub had TV cameras rolling and thousands in queue Similarly, in September 2016, she encountered stormy weather from Hurricane Hermine, again showcasing her ability to weather nature's challenges. More recently, in February 2020, Anthem of the Seas was part of a global conversation when a coronavirus-related quarantine was implemented as a precautionary measure. Swift action by Royal Caribbean, in collaboration with health authorities, ensured the safety and well-being of all onboard. The situation was quickly resolved, with guests testing negative and the ship cleared to sail. As Anthem of the Seas celebrates her tenth anniversary, her legacy as a trailblazer is firmly cemented. She continues to be a beloved home away from home for countless travellers, embarking on incredible journeys from Southampton among other places.
