Christine Baranski, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in film and television, has publicly criticized the recent Blue Origin NS-31 flight, which featured an all-female crew, including pop star Katy Perry and several prominent figures. During a panel discussion at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, on August 11, 2023, Baranski described the flight as “grotesque,” expressing her discontent with what she perceives as a troubling display of wealth.
The mission, which took place in April, saw six women travel to the edge of space aboard the rocket owned by Jeff Bezos. Alongside Perry, the crew included journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Baranski voiced her criticism in character, channeling her role as Agnes van Rhijn from the HBO series The Gilded Age, saying, “And the grotesque displays of wealth? Sending women into a spaceship for what? So they can do their makeup? What the f***?”
Baranski’s comments resonate with a growing backlash against the extravagant nature of such space tourism endeavors. Model Emily Ratajkowski also condemned the flight in a TikTok video, stating, “That space mission this morning? That’s end time s***. Like, this is beyond parody.” She questioned the environmental implications of a space mission funded by a company that has been criticized for its impact on the planet, emphasizing the resources expended for such a short journey.
Actress Olivia Wilde joined the conversation by sharing a meme on her Instagram that depicted Perry kissing the ground after disembarking the spacecraft. Wilde captioned the post, “Billion dollars bought some good memes, I guess,” further highlighting the public’s mixed feelings towards the flight.
Before the launch, actress Olivia Munn shared her thoughts, calling the venture “a bit gluttonous.” During an appearance on Today with Jenna and Friends, she questioned the historical significance of the trip, asking, “What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?”
Despite the backlash, Gayle King defended the mission during an episode of CBS Mornings. She expressed her disappointment with the negative reactions, asserting that the trip was not frivolous. King explained, “Space is not an either or, it’s a both and, and because you do something in space doesn’t mean you’re taking anything away from Earth.” She highlighted the potential benefits of space exploration for addressing environmental issues, mentioning that Blue Origin aims to find solutions for waste management on Earth.
King emphasized the inspirational aspect of the flight, noting, “I’ve had so many women and young girls reach out to me, and men too, by the way,” acknowledging the positive messages sent to those who aspire to break barriers in science and exploration.
As the debate continues, the conversation surrounding wealth, privilege, and the future of space travel remains lively. The varied responses from public figures illustrate the complexity of opinions on what it means to explore beyond our planet and the implications for those left behind on Earth. The discourse reflects a broader societal conversation about the goals of modern space exploration and its impact on our world.
