Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez spoke up to justify their decision to participate in Blue Origin’s inaugural all-female space flight, which departed and landed on Monday.
Following their brief 11-minute journey, they addressed criticisms surrounding their expedition, including Olivia Munn’s description of the trip as ‘excessive.’
King, 70, revealed to People that she feels that anyone ‘criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here.’
King emphasized, ‘We have received overwhelming support from young women and girls regarding the significance of this experience,’ while defending their space travel initiative.
Meanwhile, Sánchez, who is set to marry Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos this summer, revealed the judgment gets her ‘really fired up.’
‘I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don’t just work here but they put their heart and soul into this vehicle,’ she said of their critics. ‘They love their work and they love the mission and it’s a big deal for them.’
Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez (pictured) did not hold back as they defended their choice to embark on Blue Origin ‘s first all-female flight, which took off and returned on Monday
She continued: ‘So when we hear comments like that, I just say, trust me. Come with me. I’ll show you what this is about, and it’s, it’s really eye opening.’
Earlier this month, Munn slammed the Blue Origin space mission ahead of its launch on Monday, April 14 while appearing on Today With Jenna And Friends.
‘What are they doing? Like why? You know what I mean?’ she said. ‘I know that this is probably not the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now.’
Munn then added, ‘What are you going to do up in space? What are you doing up there?’
The mother-of-two went on to compare the launch to a ride at Disneyland, before asking why those on the trip needed ‘to tell’ everyone about it, versus just going up, having a nice time and coming back down.
‘I know that this is probably obnoxious – but like, it’s so much money to go to space. You know, there’s a lot of people that can’t even afford eggs,’ she stressed.
Host, Jenna Bush Hager, then informed Olivia that the all-female crew will go to space ‘in glam’ which prompted the actress to give a confused reaction.
‘They are getting their hair done, their makeup done, even eyelash extensions,’ Hager continued.
Munn was left speechless once again and then questioned, ‘They said this out loud?’
Hours after their 11-minute round-trip expedition, the duo answered questions about the backlash over their voyage, specifically what they thought about Olivia Munn (seen earlier this year) calling the trip ‘gluttonous’
King, 70, revealed to People that she feels that anyone ‘criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here’
Sánchez and King ventured to space with singer Katy Perry, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former rocket scientist Aisha Bowe and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn
The actress silently shook her head and Hager humorously added, ‘Yeah, and a lot of eyelash glue to nail that baby down. That’s what I can’t stop thinking about.’
Blue Origin Flight NS-31 marked the first launch with an all-female crew since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo space flight in 1963.
Fans were left shocked earlier this year following the announcement that the six women were heading to space. At the time, Sanchez said she couldn’t ‘believe it’s happening.’
‘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,’ she said.
Sánchez and King ventured to space with singer Katy Perry, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former rocket scientist Aisha Bowe and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn.
