Wendy’s, the popular fast-food chain, is facing backlash after a series of derogatory tweets aimed at pop star Katy Perry following her recent suborbital spaceflight aboard a Blue Origin vessel, Fox News reports.
The unexpected and aggressive comments have ignited a firestorm on social media, with many accusing the brand of “punching down” and engaging in unwarranted celebrity bashing.
The controversy began Monday, shortly after Perry’s return to Earth following an 11-minute journey that included Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, and three other women. In response to a post from Pop Crave celebrating Perry’s experience, the official Wendy’s X (formerly Twitter) account posted, “Can we send her back[?]”
The tweet quickly gained traction and sparked outrage among Perry’s fans and social media users, who viewed the comment as unnecessarily mean-spirited. Wendy’s then doubled down on the attack, posting another tweet that mocked Perry’s breakout hit, “I Kissed a Girl,” referencing her kissing the earth upon her return from space.
The burger chain’s actions have been widely criticized, with many calling for an apology. However, according to a report by People magazine on Thursday, Wendy’s declined the opportunity to issue one, instead choosing to continue engaging with the controversy without offering any remorse.
Even Lauren Sánchez, who traveled to space with Perry, weighed in on the situation. In a statement to People, Sánchez expressed her disappointment with Wendy’s behavior and offered to provide the fast-food company with a behind-the-scenes look at Blue Origin to showcase the seriousness and significance of the mission.
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