Katy Perry kicks off sci-fi inspired tour following controversial trip to space

LOS ANGELES - Less than one week since Katy Perry’s controversial trip to space, the pop star is heading to Mexico City to kick off her world tour.

From releasing an album to campaigning for then-Vice President Kamala Harris to flying on a rocket ship, Perry told The Associated Press that she shows no intention of slowing down.

"I’m always open and I say, ‘Why not?’ and ‘Let’s just try,’" she told The AP recently at her Southern California rehearsal space. "The power of your thoughts are so incredible because everything starts with a thought. I had this thought, ‘I want to go on tour.’ And here we are."

About Katy Perry’s world tour

Big picture view:

According to The AP, Perry is fascinated by all things spiritual, casually weaving into conversation references to astrology, the enneagram and cardology. Perry also credits having her daughter, Daisy, with propelling her along a journey of self-discovery and enhancing her "feminine divine."

"Being a mother just makes you level up with that type of power," she said. "I think I’ve just grown into the strong woman that I’ve always dreamed of and idolized."

Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert on May 07, 2023 in Windsor, England. (Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

That journey has informed her approach to music and performing, down to the narrative of her sci-fi themed "Lifetimes Tour." Citing films like "Blade Runner" and "The Fifth Element" as visual and thematic inspirations, Perry will play a video game character who faces off against evil forces.

"It’s really about believing in yourself and leading with love. Those are always my messages, no matter how I wrap it or whatever tour I bring. It’s love and empowerment," she said. "When I can lead by example, it just ripples."

Perry’s tour of more than 80 performances will primarily be a career-spanning showcase of past hits, but with a dance-infused flare to some of the traditional pop songs.

News follows controversial trip to space

Dig deeper:

Her world tour comes follows Monday’s controversial space flight, when celebrities like Olivia Munn and Emily Ratajkowski critiqued the spaceflight’s use of resources as superfluous and indulgent.

"I know this is not the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now… if you want to go to space, why do you need to tell us about it?" Munn said on a recent episode of the "Today with Jenna & Friends" podcast. 

RELATED: Blue Origin launches all-female flight with Katy Perry, 5 others: 'Sisterhood'

"Just go up there, have a good time, come on down," Munn continued. "I know this is probably obnoxious, but like, it’s so much money to go to space, you know? And there’s a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs."

The all-female space flight launched from West Texas, making history as the first all-female space crew since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in 1963. 

The six women took a 10-minute flight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. It was the 11th human space flight for Blue Origin, which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. 

The other side:

But Perry believes an all-women crew has historic ramifications. Only 14% of people who have gone to space so far have been women.

"It’s an important moment for the future of commercial space travel and for humanity in general and for women all around," Perry told The AP. "I just feel like, ‘Put us in coach.’"

All-female space flight launches from Texas

The backstory:

Perry’s longevity and the scale of her fame since her 2008 breakout hit, "I Kissed a Girl," are attributable at least in part to her willingness to get back up in the wake of a setback, as she belts in her 2013 empowerment anthem, "Roar."

In the nearly two decades since Perry emerged as a pop star, she has made tongue in cheek lyricism — in line with her "very sarcastic" sense of humor — and catchy messages of empowerment a signature of her songs. Critical reception to her more recent albums has been less than enthusiastic, but that hasn't stopped the 40-year-old from going all out for this tour, calling it "Disneyland on wheels."

"I feel a responsibility to my audience who have really been with me on this ride during this whole lifetime to give them that feeling that they had when they first heard 'Teenage Dream,'" she said.