Katy Perry; Wendy’s. Photo:

HANDOUT/BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty; Brandon Bell/Getty

• Katy Perry was part of Blue Origin’s all-female space flight earlier this week
• The trip was criticized by some, including Wendy’s, which mocked the singer on X
• “This wasn’t harmless banter, this was a billion-dollar brand using its platform to publicly demean a woman,” a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE

Wendy’s beef with Katy Perry over her Blue Origin space flight went too far, a source close to the situation feels.   

Shortly after Blue Origin’s first all-female crew flew to the edge of space and back on Monday, April 14, the fast food chain took a series of jabs at the “Woman’s World” singer, 40. 

“Can we send her back,” the official Wendy’s account wrote in response to one post about Perry’s return from space, while another commented on how “when we said women in stem this isn’t what we meant.” 

The barbed posts divided fans — and the commentary also sparked tension between Perry and fellow musician Kesha, 38.

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Now, the source close to the situation tells PEOPLE that the company was out of line and that Perry deserves an apology.

“Wendy’s didn’t make a joke — they made a choice. Their recent posts on X aimed at Katy Perry were not only disrespectful, but blatantly inappropriate,” the source says.

“This wasn’t harmless banter, this was a billion-dollar brand using its platform to publicly demean a woman,” the source adds, contending that “when billion-dollar brands join in, it’s irresponsible.”

In response, Wendy’s kept it positive but stopped short of an apology in a statement to PEOPLE.

“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,” the fast food company said.

The source close to the situation expressed dismay that the comments targeted a flight that featured an all-female crew.

“[Wendy’s is] not adding to the conversation, they’re dragging it down and this kind of behavior contributes to a culture where women are punished for standing out or a woman daring to do something different is a target,” the source says.

The comment that drew the most ire from the source was Wendy’s swipe about sending Perry back to space.  

“Telling a woman that she should be ‘sent back’ is shameful bullying and reflects a troubling willingness to tear down in today’s society,” the source says. “What’s worse is that the face of Wendy’s is a woman, which makes this decision not just hypocritical, but painfully ironic.” 

“Everyone expected more from a brand with this kind of platform. Wendy’s should ‘do the right thing’ (the name of one of their core values) apologize and do better in the future,” the source continues. 

Katy Perry kissing the ground after Blue Origin flight. BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty

The Blue Origin space flight lasted about 11 minutes and inspired its fair share of debate — about both the company as well as the crew members, which also included Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Blue Origin CEO Jeff Bezos, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

Many of the criticisms of Blue Origin and the privatization of space travel are about the steep costs and environmental impact associated with the private rocket flights.

But the crew members have also come under fire for their participation — while defending themselves and the importance, they say, of Blue Origin’s work and of female representation.

Katy Perry. HANDOUT/BLUE ORIGIN/AFP via Getty

King, 70, has spoken out multiple times about Blue Origin critics.  

“Space is not an either or, it’s a both. And because you do something in space doesn’t mean you’re taking anything away from Earth. And what you’re doing in space is trying to make things better here on Earth,” the journalist said on CBS Mornings on Tuesday, April 15. 

“There was nothing frivolous about what we do,” King added. “So, you know, I’m very disappointed and very saddened by it [the criticism]. And I also say this — what it’s doing to inspire other women and young girls? Please don’t ignore that.”

Speaking at a news conference immediately after the trip, King insisted that “anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here.”

Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez before going to space with Blue Origin. Blue Origin/Youtube

A “fired up” Sánchez added to PEOPLE: “I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don’t just work here but they put their heart and soul into this vehicle.”

“When we hear comments … I just say, ‘Trust me,’ ” she continued. “‘Come with me. I’ll show you what this is about, and it’s really eye-opening.’ ”