Hold onto your wigs and spacesuits, folks—Gayle King just went to space! Yes, the Gayle King. The warm-hearted, always-in-the-know, unshakeable queen of morning news took a ride with Blue Origin into the great cosmic beyond on April 14, 2025—and we’re still trying to catch our collective breath.

This wasn’t just any trip, though. It was historic, glamorous, and dripping in girl power. Welcome aboard NS-31, Blue Origin’s first all-female crewed spaceflight. Alongside Gayle were some pretty recognizable names: pop icon Katy Perry, Bezos’ better half Lauren Sánchez, civil rights wonderwoman Amanda Nguyễn, aerospace boss Aisha Bowe, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. If there was ever a lineup worthy of the stars, this was it.
Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and why the world (and especially the internet) is going absolutely orbital over this moment.
From Morning News to Outer Space: The Rise (Literally) of Gayle King
Gayle King has spent decades on Earth bringing us the news with charm, poise, and the occasional eyebrow-raising interview (R. Kelly, we’re looking at you 👀). But in 2025, she swapped her anchor chair for a rocket seat. Why? Because apparently, when you’ve conquered the media world, the only place left to go is up.
Blue Origin invited her to join the mission not just for her fame but for her influence. She represents the everyday woman: curious, courageous, and always asking the right questions. And now? She’s also one of the few journalists in history to visit space.
The Space Squad: Meet the NS-31 Crew
Let’s be real. If this crew had its own reality show, we’d binge-watch it in one sitting. Here’s the breakdown:
- Gayle King – CBS Mornings host, Oprah’s BFF, and now—space explorer.
- Katy Perry – She kissed a girl and liked it… and now she kissed the stratosphere.
- Lauren Sánchez – Journalist, helicopter pilot, and fiancée of Jeff Bezos (aka Mr. Blue Origin himself).
- Amanda Nguyễn – A Nobel Peace Prize nominee and badass rights advocate.
- Aisha Bowe – Former NASA engineer turned STEM entrepreneur (and honestly, probably the only one who could fix the ship mid-flight).
- Kerianne Flynn – A filmmaker championing gender equality, bringing her eye for story to this cosmic journey.
They trained. They suited up. They launched from Blue Origin’s site in West Texas. And after about 10 minutes in flight—including a glorious 3 minutes of zero gravity—they returned safely. Just like that, history was made.
Space Is No Longer the Final Frontier… It’s a Girl’s Trip
NS-31 wasn’t just a spaceflight—it was a cultural reset. While male astronauts have dominated the space game since the ‘60s, this mission flipped the script. It’s 2025, and women aren’t just walking into boardrooms—they’re floating in orbit.
It’s also an epic moment for young girls around the world. Think about it: if Gayle King can go to space at 70, why shouldn’t a girl in Kampala, Kigali, or Kansas dream of doing the same?
Blue Origin’s move is not just about tourism. It’s a statement. One that says space isn’t just for the elite, the engineers, or the billionaires—it’s for storytellers, singers, survivors, and scientists too.
Funniest Moments from Gayle’s Trip? Oh, We Got You
Let’s just say Gayle wasn’t trying to act cool up there. From shouting “Whoa!” mid-launch to her now-viral “I’m floating, Oprah!” moment, she was all of us—excited, amazed, maybe a little terrified, but totally living her best life.
Katy Perry brought the glam. Rumor has it she was singing “E.T.” the whole way. Lauren Sánchez might’ve been the most calm (guess dating a rocket man helps).
Oh, and when they landed? Gayle reportedly said, “I didn’t even lose an earring. Space is fabulous!”
What Does This Mean for the Future of Space Travel?
Here’s the real deal: this mission wasn’t about scientific experiments or international politics. It was about changing perceptions.
Women in space isn’t just a headline anymore—it’s becoming a norm. This is huge for the representation of women in STEM, media, and public life. And with more commercial spaceflights on the horizon, your next seatmate might just be a grandmother from Rwanda, a teenage TikToker, or yes, another TV host.
Also—Gayle just made space travel look fun. Like, really fun. And that changes everything.