Gayle King recently went on an 11-minute trip to space and the internet took notice of her terrified facial expressions as she boarded the capsule. In an Instagram video, King addressed the memes that were circulating about her and confirmed that she was indeed scared to board the ship. Despite her fears, she maintained her resolve to complete the mission, emphasizing that the most important picture was the one taken after the capsule returned to Earth, where she could be seen kissing the ground and raising her arms in praise to the sky. Additionally, she revealed that Katy Perry sang a bit of “What a Wonderful World” in space.
Katy Perry, who was also on the space mission with King, explained why she chose to sing “What a Wonderful World” instead of her own songs while in space. She expressed that it was about the collective energy and making space for future women, rather than focusing solely on herself. The space journey, which included an all-female crew, was aimed at celebrating belonging, taking up space, and appreciating the beauty of the world from a different perspective. The crew consisted of Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, making it the first all-women crew to go to space since 1963.
While King admitted to feeling scared while boarding the capsule, she ultimately overcame her fears and successfully completed the trip to space. The memes capturing her apprehensive expressions reflected her true emotions at the time, but she emphasized that the victory speech was in the pictures taken after the return to Earth, where she felt grateful to be back on solid ground. The experience of being in space with an all-female crew was a significant milestone, both personally and symbolically, as it highlighted the importance of representation and empowerment for women in the space industry.
The journey to space was not just about the thrill of exploration, but also about the deeper significance of unity, collective energy, and appreciation for the world we live in. As Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” in space, she underscored the idea of taking up space and belonging in a broader sense, beyond just the physical journey to space. The mission served as a way to inspire future generations of women to pursue their dreams and make their mark in traditionally male-dominated fields, including space exploration. By showcasing women in space, the crew was able to send a powerful message of empowerment and possibility to women everywhere.
In conclusion, Gayle King’s space journey, along with Katy Perry and the all-female crew, was a momentous occasion that highlighted the importance of representation, empowerment, and unity in the space industry. Despite initial fears and apprehensions, King and the crew successfully completed the mission and returned with a newfound appreciation for Earth and the privilege of being back on solid ground. The significance of the journey went beyond just the thrill of space travel, as it symbolized a step forward in breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in space exploration. As they celebrated their achievements, the crew sent a powerful message of empowerment and inspiration to women around the world, encouraging them to take up space, belong, and reach for the stars.
