Blue Origin's recent suborbital spaceflight, which included pop star Katy Perry, CBS anchor Gayle King, and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, has sparked significant backlash following its launch on April 14, 2025. The mission, which marked the first all-female crew to travel to space since 1963, faced criticism from various celebrities and social media users who questioned its purpose and perceived it as a publicity stunt for the wealthy.
The flight lasted just under 11 minutes, taking the crew beyond the Kármán line—recognized as the boundary of space—before returning safely to West Texas. While participants like King and Perry expressed how transformative the experience was, critics such as Olivia Wilde and Emily Ratajkowski voiced their discontent. Ratajkowski described the mission as "beyond satire," highlighting the contradiction of promoting environmental awareness while traveling in a spaceship financed by a company that contributes to environmental harm.
In response to the criticism, both King and Sánchez defended the mission's significance. King emphasized its inspirational impact on young women, stating that those criticizing the event fail to understand its importance. Sánchez added that such comments only fuel her passion for space exploration and invited critics to witness the dedication of Blue Origin's employees firsthand.
Despite the mixed reactions, the flight has generated considerable media attention and discussions about wealth, privilege, and the future of space tourism. As Blue Origin continues to push boundaries in commercial space travel, the debate over accessibility and purpose in such ventures remains a hot topic.