Staff Reports
Katy Perry’s recent Blue Origin space jaunt was always destined to be headline fodder, but nobody expected America’s favorite fast-food troll, Wendy’s, to steal the show. Perry, along with an all-female crew including Lauren Sánchez and Gayle King, soared just past the Kármán line for a brisk 11-minute suborbital hop—long enough for a few zero-gravity selfies and a symbolic daisy tribute, but hardly the stuff of NASA legend. As Perry kissed the Texas turf upon return, the internet was already abuzz, but Wendy’s took things to the next level with a perfectly-timed social media roast.
Wendy’s, never shy about seasoning its Twitter feed with snark, fired off a now-infamous quip: “Can we send her back?” The tweet, which followed a Pop Crave post announcing Perry’s return, landed with the precision of a Frosty on a hot day. The chain doubled down with a riff on Perry’s own music, posting, “I kissed the ground and I liked it,” alongside a photo of the singer’s dramatic post-landing moment. The internet, predictably, erupted—some fans howled in laughter, while others clutched their pearls and demanded an apology.
In classic Wendy’s fashion, the company clarified—but didn’t quite apologize—saying, “We always bring a little spice to our socials, but Wendy’s has a ton of respect for Katy Perry and her out-of-this-world talent.” That’s the beauty of the Wendy’s brand: they know how to walk the tightrope between playful and pointed, refusing to cave to the outrage mob while keeping the jokes coming hotter than their fresh-cut fries.
Meanwhile, cultural commentators and even celebrities like Joe Rogan piled on, poking fun at the brevity and spectacle of Perry’s “space” adventure. Rogan quipped about Perry’s newfound “guru” status and the symbolic daisy she brought aboard, underscoring just how fleeting and PR-driven these celebrity spaceflights have become. For all the talk of trailblazing and empowerment, many on the right can’t help but see these suborbital stunts as little more than high-priced joyrides for the rich and famous—hardly the pioneering spirit that put Americans on the moon.
At the end of the day, Katy Perry’s spaceflight may have lasted just 11 minutes, but the internet’s memory—and Wendy’s wit—will last a whole lot longer. In a world desperate for a laugh and a little perspective, it’s refreshing to see a brand stand its ground, serve up some humor, and remind us that sometimes the best view of the stars is from a booth, fries in hand, scrolling through the memes.
