It sounded like something from one of those parody showbiz news sites at first. “Olivia Rodrigo reveals that a guy wanting to go to space is a red flag for her.” But, on closer inspection, it turned out that the “Vampire” singer had actually named and shamed the desire to get extraterrestrial. “This is a very oddly specific question that I ask guys on first dates,” she said. “I always ask them if they think that they would want to go to space. And if they say yes, I don’t date them. I just think if you wanna go to space, you’re a little too full of yourself. I think it’s just weird.”
At first glance, this might seem like a ridiculous way of sorting the wheat from the chaff. Yet, the more I reflected on it, the more I could see the genius in it. When you start thinking about the men in current culture who famously want to go to space – Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos being two of the genre’s most prominent poster boys – you start to notice the commonalities aren’t all that romantically appealing. Self-aggrandisement, narcissism, ego; little boys trapped in the bodies of billionaires who would rather expend their considerable resources on “winning” the commercial space race than on, you know, helping humanity in any meaningful way.
“This would have saved Grimes a lot of time,” one social media user joked, referencing the artist’s previous tempestuous relationship with Musk, with whom she has three children. Grimes herself then commented on the post – in a perceived “trolling” of her problematic ex – “It’s true. Only women should be going to space.” Sure, plenty of men who fancy a jaunt into the Earth’s atmosphere aren’t Maga-hat-wearing Reply Guys – but perhaps there’s enough crossover that Rodrigo has decided the blanket ban is worth the risk of a good one slipping through the net on occasion.
Denne historien er fra November 06, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 06, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title
Andy Murray will coach his longtime rival Novak Djokovic before and during the Australian Open in January.
Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash
It was with not inconsiderable disappointment that news came through on Friday afternoon that illness had laid Eddie Jones low and the Japan head coach would be unable to conduct a planned press conference.
Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win
Wales slumped to a 12th successive Test match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland saw the pressure ramped up on him as world champions South Africa won 45-12 at the Principality Stadium.
Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them
In typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most-effective marksman.
Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality
The Emirates rose to its feet as soon as it became clear Martin Odegaard would be departing.
City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling
Five in a row has taken on a different meaning for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’
Aviation group warns of dangers ranging from attacks by Houthi rebels to overloads of air traffic control systems
Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil
North Korea has allegedly imported more than a million barrels of oil from Russia this year, flouting United Nations sanctions, according to satellite analysis.
Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal
Delegates finally agree after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations and loud protests echoing through corridors
Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus
Dozens of rabbits found dead with missing eyes and ears had a \"dangerous\" and \"highly contagious\" form of hepatitis, according to the RSPCA.