David Bridges
Gayle King is firmly defending her position on the all-female Blue Origin space mission, and she’s not letting the online criticism slide! At the age of 70, the esteemed news anchor joined forces with Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, activist Amanda Nguyen, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn for a brief yet significant trip into the cosmos. Rather than receiving widespread support, the crew faced harsh backlash from some critics who claimed they were disconnected from reality. Many went so far as to label the mission a total waste of resources, prompting Gayle to respond decisively!
RELATED: Social Media Reacts to Megan Thee Stallion’s Admission of Lying to Gayle King (WATCH)
Gayle King Responds to Criticism of Space Mission
In the face of the backlash, Gayle is resolute about her decision to embark on this space adventure on Monday, April 14. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, she dismissed the claims of “frivolity,” emphasizing that this mission transcends mere social media spectacle. She highlighted the broader implications of their journey, underlining that exploration of space is about fostering improvements on Earth rather than detracting from its needs.
“Space isn’t detracting from Earth; it’s about creating positive change here,” she articulated. “I feel disappointed and saddened by the negativity, but it’s crucial not to underestimate the cultural significance of this mission.”
Moreover, Oprah’s close friend expressed her discomfort with some of the sexist remarks aimed at her journey, which were often referred to as a “ride.” She pointed out that if the participants had been men, their endeavor would have been labeled a “journey” or “flight,” illustrating a clear double standard in how society perceives women in such roles.
“You never hear of a male astronaut described as having ‘taken a ride’… It’s always framed as a flight or a journey, and I find that somewhat disrespectful to the mission’s true purpose and the valuable work being done by Blue Origin.”
Gayle continued to counter the negativity, sharing that many women, young girls, and even men have reached out to express their inspiration after witnessing her journey into space. She recounted, “I’ve received messages from people saying, ‘Wow, I never thought I could achieve that, but you’re showing us how it’s done!’” This illustrates the positive impact her mission has had on aspiring dreamers.
The Maryland native noted that some of the negative feedback she received came from colleagues within her own industry, which genuinely surprised her. While she refrained from naming anyone specifically, she made it clear that she feels no regret about her participation, knowing that her journey was fundamentally about “improving conditions” on Earth.
Celebrity Reactions to the Controversial Space Mission
Actress and model Emily Ratajkowski gained significant attention when she voiced her strong opinions regarding the space mission. Spoiler alert: she did NOT hold back her thoughts. Taking to TikTok, she expressed her disdain for the all-female crew, openly questioning the mission’s purpose. “That space mission this morning? That’s end times stuff. Like, this is beyond parody,” she fervently declared. Emily criticized the vast resources allocated to the space trip, denouncing it as a waste given the pressing global issues that demand attention.
“You claim to care about Mother Earth, and yet you choose to launch into space on a spacecraft funded by a company that is actively harming the planet? Just take a look at the state of the world and consider how many resources were expended to send these women into space.”
Emily Ratajkowski expresses her disgust over the Blue Origin space trip:
“Consider the state of the world and think about how many resources went into putting these women in space… for what?” pic.twitter.com/i9rRrWvSei
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 14, 2025
Wendy’s Restaurant Joins the Conversation!
Following the completion of their space mission, Wendy’s, the popular fast-food chain, decided to weigh in on the social media discourse. The restaurant specifically directed playful jabs at another member of the flight, Katy Perry. In a quote-tweet about the singer’s successful return to Earth, the company humorously remarked, “Can we send her back?”
As if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant’s social media account also poked fun at Katy for kissing the ground upon her return, incorporating a twist on her song, ‘I Kissed a Girl.’ When fans pointed out that the mission only lasted 10 minutes, Wendy’s quickly corrected the tweet, stating, “It was 11 minutes.” The playful banter continued, with the account tweeting, “When we said women in STEM, this isn’t what we meant.”
RELATED: Slim Thug Stands Up for Megan Thee Stallion After Backlash for Misleading Gayle King (WATCH)
What Are Your Thoughts, Roomies?
Maya Kensington
Cameron Steel
