Katy Perry and Gayle King have officially become space travelers, making history as part of Blue Origin’s 11th human flight, NS-31. The “Firework” singer and CBS Mornings cohost were among six women launched into space this morning, where they experienced a thrilling 10-minute expedition.
The all-female crew surpassed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, before descending back to Earth in a spectacular cloud of dust.
During the flight, the astronauts’ voices expressed excitement as they shouted “wow,” and took in their close proximity to the pink full moon. After a safe landing, Perry could be seen raising a daisy to the sky—a sweet tribute to her daughter—before planting a kiss on the dirt. King also threw her hands in the air before exclaiming, “I need a moment with the ground,” as she touched the earth. “Just need to appreciate the ground for just a second,” she added. “Thank you, Jesus.”
The historic moment was witnessed by a number of notable figures, including Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, whose fiancée Lauren Sánchez was also among the astronauts, as well as Kris Jenner, Khloé Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Perry’s partner Orlando Bloom, and their daughter, Daisy.
Reflecting on her experience after the flight, King described the tranquility of space. “It’s really quiet and peaceful. And you look down there and you think, ‘That’s where we came from?’ To me, it’s such a reminder about how we need to do better, be better. Do better, be better human beings.” She also spoke about the current state of the world, adding, “It’s so nasty and so vitriolic nowadays, and if everybody could experience that peace that we had up there… the kindness, and what it takes to do what we did — all the people that it took to get us up there and get us back safely? I’ll never, ever forget.”
King went on to share that the highlight of the trip was when Perry sang for the crew upon their return to their seats. “When we got back in our seats, Katy sang ‘What A Wonderful World,’” she said.
In an emotional interview post-landing, Perry explained her choice of song. “I’ve covered that song in the past and, obviously, my higher self is always steering the ship because I had no clue that one day I would decide to sing a little bit of that in space,” she shared. “But I think that it’s not about me, it’s not about singing my songs, it’s about a collective energy in there. It’s about us, it’s about making space for future women, and taking up space and belonging.”
She continued, “And it’s about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth.” Perry also shared that the experience made her feel “super connected to love.” She said, “I think this experience has shown me you never know how much love is inside of you, how much love you have to give, and how loved you are until the day you launch.”
Before the launch, Winfrey, who has been a long-time friend of King’s, expressed her pride for her bestie. “I said peace be still,” Winfrey recalled. “Hold to God’s unchanging hand; he’s got your back. That’s it.” King had previously opened up about her mixed feelings ahead of the flight, admitting she was both “terrified and excited.”
“I feel well prepared,” she said. “I believe in Blue Origin, what they’re doing. I am really excited and actually looking forward to it.”
While Perry and King’s spaceflight is being celebrated as a groundbreaking moment, some have criticized the decision to partake in such an “expensive” journey when there are still urgent issues to address here on Earth. Actress Olivia Munn voiced her concerns during a recent TODAY segment, calling the expedition “gluttonous.”
She asked, “What’s the point? I think it’s a bit gluttonous. I don’t know … space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here? I mean, I don’t know if all that rocket fuel is good. This is a lot of resources being spent.”
See a video of Gayle King and Katy Perry taking off and landing back on Earth above.
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