Lauren Sanchez recently uploaded a video showing her initial conversation with the groundbreaking all-women Blue Origin space team, which comprises singer Katy Perry and CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King.
In a surprising announcement last month, Jeff Bezos’s partner, aged 55, the 40-year-old pop star, and the 70-year-old news anchor caught fans off guard by revealing their upcoming space journey aboard a Blue Origin rocket this spring, together with three other women.
On Friday, Sanchez shared a video call on her Instagram, capturing the group discussing their imminent space expedition, during which Gayle expressed feeling ‘nervous.’
The crew also includes former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
‘Is anyone else nervous, or am I the only Nervous Nellie?’ Gayle asked the ladies.
‘I’ll be a little nervous, but I’ll be looking at y’all,’ Perry replied.
Gayle then shared, ‘Eleanor Roosevelt said once courage is doing something that scares you, but you do it anyway. And I sort of look at it like that, about stepping out of my comfort zone and my box.’
The clip started out with Lauren sitting in her office as she prepared for the call.
‘I really believe that all of these women are storytellers, they’re going to come back and be able to share that story, and also inspire a new generation of explorers,’ she said.
The video then cut to Lauren welcoming the crew on a video call.
‘I just kind of want everyone to take a deep breath and soak this all in for a second. Today, you guys, we’re a crew.’
‘Wow, I just got chills when you said “my crew”‘,’ Nguyen said, as Gayle added, ‘I know.’
Flynn shared, ‘We are pioneers. We’re trailblazing this path to space for future generations.’
‘We’re all going to come back with this profound love of Earth. And we’re going to be able to share that with the world, and hopefully touch everyone in a small way, that they’ll want to help save the planet,’ Lauren added.
‘I feel that,’ Gayle concurred.
After ending the call, Sanchez exclaimed, ‘Insane, incredible, oh my God it’s really happening.’
‘I’m so excited. What a great group of women,’ she added.
‘Our first call as a crew! Wow, what an incredible group of women,’ Sanchez wrote in the caption.
‘I cannot wait to embark on this adventure together and inspire the next generation of explorers. Excited to share our journey with you. This is just the beginning. #takingupspace.’
Nguyen took to the comments, writing, ‘Excited to make history with you all!’
Singer Jewel added, ‘So proud of you and all these women!’
Actress Sydney Sweeney was among those who hit like on the post.
The spring launch will mark the 11th human flight for Blue Origin’s New Shepard program.
Lauren, who brought the mission together, previously expressed her excitement over the upcoming flight in another video shared on Instagram.
‘If someone would have told me that I would be able to go to space one day, I would have definitely laughed,’ she said.
‘I can’t believe it’s happening.
‘My dad used to teach people how to fly and I used to hang around the hanger, and I thought dreaming of becoming a pilot was a huge deal. And this is even bigger!’
She continued: ‘The incredible women that are going on this flight are extraordinary in all of their fields, but more importantly they are incredible storytellers.
‘So, what I’m hoping that this flight is transformative for them but also for all of the people they tell their story to.
‘Hopefully it sparks that imagination to dream big and reach for the stars.’
So far, 52 people have experienced traveling 62 miles above earth to the Kármán line, which is recognized as the spot that separates the planet’s atmosphere from space.
Previous New Shepard passengers include actor William Shatner and Jeff Bezos, founder of both Blue Origin and Amazon.
Viewers were stunned by the unexpected announcement and voiced their reactions on social media.
Taking to X, one exclaimed: ‘Katy Perry going in space was not in my bingo card.’
‘Katy Perry is going to space? I was not expecting that,’ wrote another.
A third added: ‘Katy Perry being launched into space should be televised in every classroom across the nation.’
A confused user added: ‘Y’all why are Gayle King and Katy Perry going to space?’
