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Gayle King Responds to Viral Memes Capturing Her Spaceflight Anxiety
Veteran journalist Gayle King has addressed the internet memes generated from her apprehensive facial expressions prior to her recent suborbital spaceflight. Acknowledging the viral online reactions, King, aboard the all-female Blue Origin flight alongside Katy Perry, affirmed that the memes accurately reflected her pre-flight sentiments.
King’s Reaction to Meme Frenzy
“I am aware that I have become a meme due to my facial expressions as I walked across the bridge to board the capsule,” King, 70, disclosed in an Instagram video shared on Monday, April 14, following her approximately 11-minute space excursion. “I was not conscious of being photographed at that precise moment, nor did I realize my expression conveyed such terror. But, indeed, I was terrified.”
The video compilation then transitioned to an example meme, featuring a clip of King entering the capsule synchronized with audio of Rihanna’s lyric, “I don’t wanna do this anymore” from her track “Unfaithful.”
Overcoming Pre-Flight Jitters
“My mindset was simply, ‘I will get in, take my assigned seat, and proceed with this endeavor,'” King recounted. “I always intended to proceed. We were informed that opting out was permissible up to two minutes and 30 seconds prior to launch. One could declare, ‘I will not fly.’ However, I knew I would not be that individual.”
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Pop star Katy Perry achieved another milestone by becoming an astronaut. Perry, 40, was among six women who ascended into space on Monday, April 14, in an all-female spaceflight. Joining Perry on the Blue Origin spacecraft were CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and others.
Acknowledging Pre-Flight Apprehension
Despite her unwavering commitment to the mission, the CBS broadcast journalist admitted to experiencing genuine fear before boarding the spacecraft.
“Entering the capsule was undeniably unnerving. Quite unnerving!” she reiterated. “Therefore, the memes accurately depict my apprehension. However, I urge you to observe the photograph of me post-capsule exit. That image encapsulates the pivotal moment. That signifies triumph. That is what truly matters. I am profoundly grateful to be back on Earth. ‘Welcome home’ now possesses an enriched significance.”
Post-Flight Exuberance and Space Serenade
Photographs captured after the capsule’s return to Earth showcase King kissing the ground and raising her arms in celebratory gesture towards the sky. She also revealed that Katy Perry, also aboard the capsule, offered a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” while in space.
Katy Perry’s Song Choice in Space
Following the capsule’s landing, Perry, 40, explained her selection of that particular song over her own musical repertoire.
“I have performed that song previously, and I believe my intuition guides my decisions. I had no prior knowledge that I might spontaneously decide to sing a portion of it in space. However, I believe it transcends personal promotion or showcasing my songs. It embodies a shared energy within the capsule,” she articulated. “It is about collective participation, paving the way for future female astronauts, occupying space, and a sense of belonging. It is about this magnificent Earth we observe from beyond and cherishing it. This entire endeavor is for the betterment of Earth.”
Historic All-Female Crew
King and Perry were part of a pioneering all-female crew that also included Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Jeff Bezos. This mission represented the first all-women space crew since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo voyage in 1963.