Blue Origin’s all-female space mission sparked unprecedented backlash from the very demographic it aimed to inspire – prominent female celebrities who called the venture “beyond parody” and questioned its environmental impact.

At a Glance

• Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, the first all-female space flight since 1963, has faced harsh criticism from multiple female celebrities
• Emily Ratajkowski, Amy Schumer, Olivia Wilde, and Olivia Munn publicly condemned the mission as wasteful and environmentally harmful
• Critics questioned the mission’s purpose and authenticity, calling it “performative feminism” rather than genuine female empowerment
• Defenders including Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez (Jeff Bezos’ fiancée who inspired the mission) maintain it will inspire young women

Celebrity Backlash Against “Feminist” Space Mission

What was marketed as a historic celebration of women’s achievements quickly turned into a public relations disaster for Blue Origin. The NS-31 mission, which sent an all-female crew including celebrities like Katy Perry and Gayle King into suborbital space, has been met with extraordinary criticism from prominent women in entertainment. Model and author Emily Ratajkowski led the charge, delivering a scathing rebuke that quickly went viral on social media platforms, questioning the mission’s environmental impact and true purpose.

Ratajkowski didn’t mince words in her assessment, directly challenging the mission’s environmental contradictions. “That’s end time shit. Like, this is beyond parody,” Ratajkowski stated. “You say that you care about Mother Earth, and it’s about Mother Earth, and you’re going up in a spaceship that is built and paid for by a company that’s single-handedly destroying the planet. Look at the state of the world and think about how many resources went into putting these women into space. For what?”

Growing Chorus of Female Critics

The criticism wasn’t limited to Ratajkowski alone. Several other high-profile women joined in questioning the value and purpose of the mission. Actress Olivia Munn expressed skepticism about the entire venture, highlighting the disconnect between the mission and pressing global concerns. Comedians Amy Schumer and Olivia Wilde took to mocking the flight on their social media platforms, with Schumer posting a sarcastic video pretending to be joining the space flight, further undermining Blue Origin’s intended message of female empowerment.

“I know this probably isn’t the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now. What are you guys gonna do up in space? What are you doing up there?”, said Olivia Munn.

This backlash is particularly significant because it came primarily from successful women in entertainment – precisely the demographic that might have been expected to celebrate such a mission. The criticism cuts to the heart of what many see as empty symbolism rather than substantive advancement for women. Young, politically engaged audiences have been particularly receptive to these critiques, signaling a potential shift in how the public views such high-profile space ventures.

Questions of Purpose and Environmental Responsibility

Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission was inspired by Lauren Sanchez, who is engaged to Amazon founder and Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos. The mission was promoted as a way to empower and inspire future generations of women. However, critics have questioned whether sending celebrities briefly into suborbital space accomplishes anything meaningful for gender equality in science and technology fields. Instead, many see it as a publicity stunt that diverts attention and resources from more substantive efforts.

“What was the marketing there? Was there a plan? Was there a point? Because from where I’m standing, it just looked like ego in orbit.”, said Emily Ratajkowski.

The environmental impact of space tourism has become a particularly contentious aspect of the criticism. While Blue Origin has claimed commitments to environmental responsibility, critics argue that rocket launches inherently have significant carbon footprints that contradict messages about protecting “Mother Earth.”

This perceived hypocrisy has resonated with audiences increasingly concerned about climate change and corporate environmental responsibility. As of this reporting, Blue Origin has not publicly responded to the criticism that has overshadowed what was intended to be a celebratory milestone.