Katy Perry to Put the ‘A–‘ in Astronaut: Inside Her Space Mission with Gayle King and More
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Katy Perry is about to embark on a new kind of adventure—one that takes her beyond the stage and into space. Joining a trailblazing all-female crew, the pop icon will board Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket for a suborbital flight, adding her name to a growing list of civilians turned spacefarers. The mission, set to launch from Van Horn, Texas, promises not just a journey to the edge of space, but a historic step for gender representation in the stars.
A Historic All-Female Crew
Monday’s launch will mark Blue Origin’s 11th civilian mission, but it’s the first time the company has sent an entirely female crew into space. Perry will be joined by a diverse team of accomplished women: talk show host Gayle King, filmmaker Kerianne Flynn, NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and Bezos’ fiancé Lauren Sanchez. Together, they aim to inspire a new generation of women to consider careers and opportunities in the final frontier.
A Mission With Style
As the crew prepares for liftoff, Perry’s trademark flair for the dramatic is already making waves. Known for her bold performances and eclectic fashion sense, Perry is bringing a touch of glamour to space travel. “Space is going to finally be glam,” she told Elle in a recent interview. “We’re putting the ‘a–’ in astronaut.”
The flight suits, designed with help from Monse co-founders Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, reflect this ethos. Featuring a sleek navy design, each suit carries the Blue Origin logo, a NASA patch, and crew members’ last names—offering a mix of practicality and personal expression. Sanchez, who played a role in redesigning the suits, summed it up: “The suits are elegant, but they also bring a little spice to space.”
A Lifelong Dream Fulfilled
For Perry, this mission is more than a publicity stunt. It’s the realization of a dream she’s nurtured for nearly two decades. “I have wanted to go to space for almost 20 years,” she said. “Even when Blue Origin was first talking about commercial travel to space, I was like, ‘Sign me up!’” When the invitation came, she didn’t hesitate.
The opportunity carries a deeply personal significance. Perry reflected on the moment she saw a photo of the Blue Origin capsule adorned with a feather, her mother’s nickname for her. “I take pause in those moments and ask the universe to give me confirmations,” she said. “And I really felt very sure.”
A Message to Earth
While Perry’s flight may only last about 11 minutes, she hopes its impact will linger. Among her three pounds of allowable personal items, she plans to bring something that represents life on Earth, a reminder of the planet’s preciousness. “I’m going to bring something that has life in it just to remind us how precious the Earth is,” she told Elle.
As she prepares for this out-of-this-world experience, Katy Perry is proving that even the sky isn’t the limit. With her sights set on the stars and her heart grounded in a message of appreciation for our planet, Perry’s journey serves as both inspiration and celebration—glam and all.
