On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin successfully completed its first all-female spaceflight, featuring notable personalities such as singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, researcher Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Upon returning, Perry was seen holding a daisy—a tribute to her daughter—and kissing the ground, which sparked online reactions. Actress Olivia Wilde criticized the mission by sharing a meme mocking the flight’s significance, stating, “Billion dollars bought some good memes, I guess.” Other celebrities, including Olivia Munn and Emily Ratajkowski, also questioned the mission’s necessity, suggesting that the trip was out of touch with pressing global priorities. People.com
The mission, dubbed NS-31, marked Blue Origin’s 11th human flight and was organized by Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The crew also included former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The 11-minute suborbital flight aimed to inspire future generations and promote female representation in space exploration.
Despite the backlash, participants like Gayle King defended the mission’s intent. King emphasized the inspirational impact on young women and praised the dedication of Blue Origin’s employees. She stated, “I get really fired up when people question the value of this mission. It’s about showing what’s possible.” New York Post
Katy Perry, in her pre-flight statements, expressed enthusiasm about being part of the historic crew. She shared on Instagram, “I am honored to be among this diverse group of celestial sisters.” Perry highlighted the importance of demonstrating to her daughter and young girls everywhere that women can reach for the stars, both literally and figuratively. ABC Audio
The mission’s reception underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the role of celebrities in space exploration and the allocation of resources toward such endeavors. While some view these missions as inspirational milestones, others see them as emblematic of broader societal disparities.
