Amid public debate, Olivia Wilde critiques Blue Origin’s first all-female crew mission, sparking a conversation about the broader implications of space tourism.
In a bold commentary on Blue Origin’s latest milestone, actress Olivia Wilde expressed her discontent with the space tourism company’s first all-female flight crew. While Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket made history with its female-led crew, including celebrities like Katy Perry, Gayle King, and other notable women, Wilde took to Instagram to share a critical meme, poking fun at the multi-billion-dollar mission.
On Monday, April 14, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket completed its round-trip expedition to the edge of space, carrying a crew of pioneering women, each with distinct personal and professional achievements. Among them were singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. However, the mission did not escape scrutiny.
Wilde shared a meme that featured two images of Katy Perry after her return to Earth. In one, Perry, holding a daisy in tribute to her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom, flashed a smile as she stepped out of the capsule. In the second image, Perry was seen kissing the ground after her return, with text overlaying the images that read, “getting off a commercial flight in 2025 #BlueOrigin.” Wilde’s caption read, “Billion dollars bought some good memes, I guess.”
Her critique wasn’t alone in the public sphere. Actress Olivia Munn and model Emily Ratajkowski also voiced their concerns. Munn questioned the necessity of such space missions, especially in light of global challenges, while Ratajkowski described the endeavor as “end time s—,” suggesting that the space tourism trend had become too out of touch with societal realities.
Despite the criticism, the women involved in the flight remained steadfast in defending the mission. Gayle King, speaking at a press conference, acknowledged the skepticism but emphasized the positive impact on young women and girls who look up to the mission as a beacon of empowerment. “Anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here,” King said, adding that the mission symbolized more than just space exploration — it was about inspiring the next generation of leaders and trailblazers.
Lauren Sánchez also responded passionately to the backlash, offering an invitation to critics to visit Blue Origin and witness the dedication of its employees. “I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don’t just work here but put their heart and soul into this vehicle. They love their work, and they love the mission,” Sánchez explained.
Blue Origin’s latest launch has undoubtedly sparked a wider conversation about the role of space tourism in today’s world. While some see it as a groundbreaking achievement for women in a traditionally male-dominated field, others, like Wilde, question the broader implications of spending billions on private space travel at a time when global issues demand urgent attention. As the debate rages on, Blue Origin’s mission continues to draw both praise and criticism — a reflection of the complexities surrounding the future of commercial space exploration.
