Gayle King, along with a star-studded all-female flight crew, is set to blast off into space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket.
Despite her years of experience in the spotlight, the beloved talk show host seems to have some understandable nerves about the adventure.
In a behind-the-scenes clip shared by Lauren Sanchez, the 70-year-old looked visibly anxious as she prepared for the big moment.
A Nervous But Brave Moment Before Lift-off
In the video, shared by Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sanchez, the all-female crew is seen in matching blue jumpsuits as they visit the rocket that will carry them to space.
While the others shared smiles of excitement, Gayle could not hide her nervousness. The women gathered together, holding each other close as they stared up at the towering spacecraft.
As the crew shared their excitement, Katy Perry, ever the jokester, cheered, “We love you so much!” to the rocket.
But Gayle’s response was a bit more cautious: “We’re counting on you. Bring us back safe.
We believe in you.” It’s clear that, despite her nerves, Gayle is ready to embrace the adventure.
The Thrill of Space and a Quick Return to Earth
The mission, known as the NS-31 flight, will take the crew on an 11-minute journey, crossing the Karman Line to officially enter space.
As they reach an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers), the crew will experience a few minutes of weightlessness—something that will no doubt offer breathtaking views of Earth.
However, the adventure will be brief, as the capsule will begin its return to Earth almost immediately after reaching space, deploying parachutes to land safely.
The launch is scheduled for 8:30 AM local time, with the crew launching from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One, located about 30 miles north of Van Horn, Texas.
Their journey will be powered by a reusable rocket that will carry them into space before safely returning to Earth.
A Unique Crew with a Special Mission
Alongside Gayle King, the crew includes several other impressive women, such as film producer Kerianne Flynn, activist Amanda Nguyen, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe.
Together, they represent a powerful all-female team making history.
Gayle King’s Concerns About Jeff Bezos’ Controversial Decisions
Despite the excitement of the flight, Gayle recently shared some of her concerns regarding Jeff Bezos and his company.
When questioned about how some critics might view the space flight as an advertisement for the billionaire, Gayle acknowledged the troubling nature of some of Jeff’s recent decisions.
She also made it clear that, while she may not agree with every move Jeff has made, the mission itself is about something much larger than just him or his company.
“I’ve chosen to separate the two,” Gayle explained, “It’s not a zero-sum game.
You can do this one on the one hand, and this on the other hand.
And both things can be true.” Gayle’s decision to join the space mission is about breaking personal barriers and pushing herself outside her comfort zone.
Bringing Comfort from Home on the Space Flight
As Gayle prepared for the flight, she revealed that she’s bringing something a little extra along for comfort—stuffed animals.
In an interview, Gayle explained that she had asked her daughter and grandson to pick out their favorite stuffed toys to keep her company while in space.
It’s clear that, even with her nerves, she’s embracing the opportunity with a mix of humor and personal connection.
Navigating Fear and Excitement Together
In a heartfelt interview with ELLE magazine, Gayle opened up about the mix of fear and excitement she feels leading up to the spaceflight.
She compared the emotions she’s experiencing to the same feelings she had before giving birth, acknowledging that stepping outside of her comfort zone is daunting but also thrilling.
Gayle summed it up by saying, “I haven’t felt like this since childbirth… because I knew childbirth was going to hurt. But it’s also stepping out of your comfort zone.”
As Gayle and her fellow crew members prepare for their historic journey, one thing is clear: this once-in-a-lifetime trip to space is an emotional, thrilling experience for all involved.