Gayle King Claps Back at Critics Over Blue Origin Flight: “Have Y’all Been to Space?”
Earlier this week, CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King joined pop superstar Katy Perry and four other phenomenal women on a history-making Blue Origin rocket flight, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The mission lasted just 11 minutes, but Gayle is still floating high… spiritually and emotionally.
But now that she’s landed, so has the criticism. Social media users and shockingly, even some people Gayle once considered friends came for her, questioning the cost and value of her seat on the spaceship.
However, in true Gayle fashion, she’s letting folks know this wasn’t just a “rich folks joyride.” It meant something much deeper.
RELATED:Happening NOW: Katy Perry, Gayle King Show and Lauren Sánchez Lead First All-Female Space Flight!
“Space Is Not an Either-Or”: Gayle Uses Her Platform to Educate and Inspire
While appearing on CBS Mornings, Gayle got real about why the backlash stung, but also why she’s still standing proud.
“Space is not an either or, it’s a both and, and because you do something in space doesn’t mean you’re taking anything away from Earth. And what you’re doing in space is trying to make things better here on Earth,” she said.
She continued breaking it down for the critics:
“Bezos’ intention with Blue Origin is to figure out a way to harness the waste here and put it in space to make the Earth a better place,” she explained. “Every time a flight goes up, they get some type of information that can be used for something else.”
In other words: this ain’t just about stuntin’. This is about innovation, environmental progress, and future generations. And she’s proud to be part of it.
Gayle King Speaks for the Dreamers: “I’ve Had So Many Women Reach Out”
Gayle didn’t just go to space — she touched souls, especially among women and young girls who never thought they’d see someone like them in orbit.
“There was nothing frivolous about what we do. So, you know, I’m very disappointed and very saddened by it [the criticism]. And I also say this — what it’s doing to inspire other women and young girls? Please don’t ignore that. I’ve had so many women and young girls reach out to me, and men too, by the way. Men too that say, ‘Wow, I never thought I could do that, but I see you doing it at this stage of your life.’”
That’s what this mission was really about. Representation. Inspiration. Possibility.
To The Haters: “Have Y’all Been to Space?”
Gayle didn’t hold back when it came time to challenge the trolls who claim her mission was wasteful.
“So I wish people would do more due diligence. And then my question is, have y’all been to space? Go to space or go to Blue Origin and see what they do and then come back and say, ‘This is a terrible thing.’”
Whew. That’s the type of clapback we love — factual, dignified, but still spicy.
