Kesha Subtly Responds to Katy Perry’s Space Trip With Wendy’s Cup Photo After Fast-Food Chain Throws Shade
After Wendy’s shades Katy Perry’s space trip, Kesha’s quiet clapback with a branded cup adds new heat to the ongoing Dr. Luke controversy—reigniting conversations about loyalty, justice, and pop power dynamics.
As Katy Perry faces renewed backlash for working with Dr. Luke, Kesha’s quiet sip from a Wendy’s cup—shared after the chain’s viral jab—sparks fresh conversation about accountability, power, and pop music’s tangled history.
Kesha posts photo with Wendy’s cup after Katy Perry’s space flight prompts shade from the fast-food chain: “Can we send her back?”
Katy Perry’s high-flying return to Earth came with a hard landing on social media—thanks to a viral quip from Wendy’s and a perfectly timed photo from fellow pop star Kesha.
Following Perry’s brief but headline-grabbing journey to space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin capsule on Monday morning—joined by an all-female crew including Gayle King—a fan account, PopCrave, posted an update that simply read: “Katy Perry has returned from space.”
The official Wendy’s X (formerly Twitter) account wasted no time chiming in with biting sarcasm, replying: “Can we send her back?”
The jab, which quickly went viral, was given further traction when Kesha posted a photo of herself smiling while sipping from a Wendy’s cup just hours later. The image—shared without a caption—sparked immediate speculation and widespread interpretation as a not-so-subtle nod to the unfolding drama.
Perry has faced intense criticism in recent months for collaborating with Dr. Luke on her 2024 album 143, reigniting conversations about her past support of the controversial producer, who has long been at the center of a highly publicized legal battle with Kesha.
A Complicated History
Kesha first sued Dr. Luke in 2014, alleging sexual assault, battery, and years of emotional abuse. Though the producer denied the claims and countersued for defamation, the years-long legal saga became a flashpoint in conversations about abuse, power, and the music industry.
In 2016, a judge dismissed Kesha’s case, and while she was denied release from her contract with Dr. Luke and Sony, she countersued under a law aimed at protecting accusers from legal intimidation. One notable moment came when a text message Kesha sent to Lady Gaga—alleging that Dr. Luke had also assaulted Perry—was revealed. Perry later denied the claim under oath.
The case was finally settled in June 2023, with both parties issuing public statements. “Only God knows what happened that night,” Kesha wrote, adding she was ready to move forward. Dr. Luke maintained his innocence, saying it was time to “put this difficult matter behind me.”
Kesha ultimately declared herself “free” from Dr. Luke’s label in December 2023, later releasing her single Joyride and preparing for her forthcoming album Period.
Perry’s Perspective—and the Backlash
Perry, who had worked with Dr. Luke on some of her biggest hits like “Teenage Dream” and “I Kissed a Girl,” largely remained quiet about the controversy until a September 2024 interview on Call Her Daddy.
“There were many collaborators on this record,” she said, referring to 143. “I understand that it started a lot of conversations… but the reality is, it comes from me.”
She emphasized that 143—particularly its lead single “Woman’s World,” touted as an empowerment anthem—reflected her journey as a mother and woman reclaiming strength. “I created a whole ass heart,” she said, referencing childbirth. “And I’m still doing it.”
But critics remained unconvinced. Many felt her defense didn’t acknowledge the optics or implications of partnering with a figure so closely associated with a fellow artist’s trauma.
The Power of a Sip
Wendy’s, known for its bold and sometimes savage social media voice, didn’t clarify whether its jab was related to the Dr. Luke controversy. But the timing—alongside the fast-food chain’s reputation for jumping into cultural conversations—made it hard not to connect the dots.
Kesha’s photo, featuring the singer beaming while drinking from a Wendy’s-branded cup, landed just hours after the chain’s viral post, and while she didn’t say a word, the internet said plenty for her.
Social media erupted, with fans calling it “iconic,” “quietly powerful,” and “the best kind of shade.” Others praised Kesha for her composure and subtlety in the face of ongoing challenges in the industry.
A Culture Reckoning Still Unfolding
The layered exchange—Perry’s space flight, Wendy’s tweet, Kesha’s photo—reflects how pop culture, accountability, and activism continue to intertwine in unexpected ways.
While Perry celebrates her extraterrestrial milestone, the ripples of past choices and unresolved cultural reckonings remain grounded in public discourse. Kesha, meanwhile, continues to shape her next chapter—this time, with her voice, her agency, and a little help from an unlikely fast-food ally.
