Katy Perry’s unexpected high-profile visit with Justin Trudeau sparks backlash

Katy Perry's been making headlines left, right and centre over the past few months

For anyone who needs their pop culture trivia refreshed, the 41-year-old 'Firework' singer was part of an all-female crew, which included American journalist and Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, CBS Mornings and SiriusXM radio host Gayle King, and decorated film producer Kerianne Flynn, who were launched into space on one of billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space tourism flights back in April.

The group of six flew into space for a total of 11 minutes, reaching heights of more than 100km (62 miles) above Earth before safely making their way back down to their home planet.

Flash-forward some months to late June, and Katy ended up calling it quits with her partner, Orlando Bloom, 49, before starting up a romance with none other than former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 54.

The pair have since treated fans to a number of 'hard launch' photos together, but they went one step further when they made a joint appearance at the World Economic Forum earlier this week (20 January).

Katy Perry's high-profile visit with Justin Trudeau this week had ruffled some feathers (Craig T Fruchtman / Contributor / Getty Images)

Trudeau spoke at the event, where he explained Ukraine’s stand against Russia’s invasion 'soft power in action,' and said Canada has solidarity with Ukraine.

"Never underestimate the resolve, the motivation and strength of people standing up to defend their sovereignty, their identity, their very existence," he said.

According to CTV News, Katy sat in the front row to support her beau, and smiled in encouragement and supporting Trudeau's speech on soft power, which includes environmental protections in trade.

However, her unexpected high-profile visit with Trudeau has sparked some backlash online with many hitting out at the pop icon enjoying the space tourism flight back in April while also trying to raise awareness about protecting the planet.

One X user seethed: "In April 2025 Katy Perry burned 498 tons of fuel to do space tourism. Today she arrived in Davos to raise awareness about the 'environment.'"

It's important to note that such a claim isn't substantiated, given that the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket is supposedly green, with Bezos claiming it doesn't have any carbon emissions, but, as per the BBC, it's 'not possible' for the rocket to only emit water vapour.

The 'Firework' singer boarded the space tourism flight back in April (Blue Origin)

"Anyone who still supports her a** is genuinely supporting immoralities too," fumed a second as a third chimed in: "Can't make this sh*t up."

Not everyone shared the same sentiments, however, as a fourth pointed out: "Why is it always about Katy Perry and never about Jeff Bezos, who was actually responsible for the trip? And what about the other 20 flights on the same Blue Origin spacecraft?"

Another agreed: "Exactly! Also, if anyone has been following her for the last several years they know space was an interest for her. I still feel bad that she went for her dream and the public sh*t all over it. Yet many people have done it since and no one says anything."

And a final X user defended: "Because she’s a woman & society is still misogynistic."

Tyla has reached out to Katy Perry's representatives for comment.