Katy Perry Makes History with Spaceflight and Unveils ‘Lifetimes’ Tour Setlist from Orbit

Pop icon Katy Perry has once again pushed the boundaries of performance art and promotion by becoming one of the first major artists to reveal a tour setlist from space. On April 14, 2025, Perry joined an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket for a suborbital flight that lasted just over 10 minutes, marking a significant moment in both space tourism and music history.​

The mission, designated NS-31, launched from Blue Origin’s Corn Ranch site in West Texas at 13:30 UTC. Alongside Perry, the crew included journalist Gayle King, philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, astronaut Amanda Nguyen, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn. This flight was particularly notable as it was the first all-female crewed mission since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo journey in 1963

During the brief period of weightlessness, Perry shared a heartfelt moment by singing Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” opting for a classic tune over her own hits to emphasize the shared human experience and the beauty of our planet LOS40. She also brought along two symbolic items: a daisy, representing her daughter Daisy, and a butterfly-shaped piece of paper containing the setlist for her upcoming ‘Lifetimes’ tour.

In a video posted to her Instagram, Perry can be seen floating in zero gravity, unveiling the butterfly-shaped setlist. While the text was difficult to read, fans have speculated that songs like “Chained to the Rhythm,” “Dark Horse,” “Teenage Dream,” “Unconditionally,” “Last Friday Night,” “I Kissed a Girl,” and “Harleys in Hawaii” are included. The video was accompanied by her song “Wonder” from her 2024 album ‘143’.

The ‘Lifetimes’ tour is set to kick off on April 23 in Mexico City, promising a blend of Perry’s classic hits and new material. This innovative approach to revealing her setlist has generated significant buzz, setting the stage for a tour that aims to be as groundbreaking as its celestial announcement.​

While Perry’s spaceflight has been celebrated by many, it has also faced criticism. Some have labeled the endeavor as extravagant, especially during times of global hardship. Notably, fellow artist Kesha appeared to mock the event on social media, and other celebrities like Olivia Wilde and Emily Ratajkowski have voiced concerns over the perceived tone-deafness of such displays of wealth and privilege.

Despite the mixed reactions, Perry remains focused on the inspirational aspect of her journey. In her post-flight reflections, she emphasized the importance of dreaming big and breaking barriers, especially for women in fields traditionally dominated by men. Her participation in the all-female spaceflight serves as a testament to this message, aiming to inspire future generations to reach for the stars—both literally and figuratively.​

As the ‘Lifetimes’ tour approaches, fans eagerly await the performances that promise to be as stellar as their cosmic announcement.​

Newsdesk