Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Space Snark: Christine Baranski’s Fiery Critique of Gayle King and Katy Perry's Orbital Excursion

SCANDAL IN SPACE: Celebrities Bashed for Jeff Bezos-Funded Space Expedition

In a scathing critique, Christine Baranski unloaded on Gayle King and Katy Perry over their luxury space trip, funded by Amazon mogul Jeff Bezos. The Mamma Mia star, 73, couldn't help but express her disgust at the extravagant display of wealth during an interview about her hit HBO show, The Gilded Age.

The panel discussion turned into a tell-all session as Baranski shared her thoughts on the Blue Origin trip to space, which included Bezos' wife Lauren Sanchez. "The grotesque displays of wealth sending women into a spaceship for what? So they can do their makeup?" she quipped, visibly exasperated. "What the f**k?"

Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former rocket scientist Aisha Bowe and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn are seen in space

Baranski's outburst wasn't just about the celebrities on board; it was also a commentary on the massive wealth gap in America. The actress pointed out that her hit show, The Gilded Age, sheds light on the stark contrast between the nation's richest and poorest citizens.

As it turns out, Baranski's sentiments weren't unique to her. Many have criticized the Blue Origin crew for their lack of scientific purpose during the 11-minute flight into orbit. However, King pushed back against critics, calling their descriptions "sexist." She claimed that if men had taken a similar trip, they wouldn't be labeled as simply going on a "ride."

King appeared on CBS Mornings alongside fellow crewmate Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist. Bowe attempted to justify the expedition by highlighting the potential benefits of space research for Earth's needs. However, she failed to provide specific details about her own research conducted during the flight.

King responded to critics who called the trip a 'space ride,' saying it was sexist to describe it in such a way

The all-female crew took off in Bezos' New Shepard spacecraft from West Texas and returned with breathtaking footage of weightless screaming, dazed marvelling at the vast emptiness of space, and, of course, Katy Perry clutching a daisy and list of upcoming tour setlist. The pop star also couldn't resist belting out Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" – a poignant reminder that while some people might be floating in space, others are struggling to make ends meet on Earth.

The flight was met with widespread criticism for its lack of scientific purpose, but King defended the trip as a groundbreaking achievement. She insisted that labeling it a "ride" was sexist and that future astronauts would benefit from such experiences. It's unclear what Bowe specifically accomplished during her time in space, but she did mention certifying a device to aid research – a vague claim that left many scratching their heads.

Meanwhile, Bezos has been accused of using the Blue Origin expedition as a publicity stunt to promote his fledgling space exploration company. He certainly got his money's worth, as the footage showed King and Perry shrieking with joy while floating in zero gravity.

Gayle King, seen with former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, suggested it is sexist to say the all-female Blue Origin crew took a 'space trip'

As for King, she's not one to shy away from controversy. When asked about her participation in the Bezos-funded trip, she said: "It's called a flight or a journey. A ride implies it's something frivolous or light-hearted. There's nothing frivolous about what we did."

But Baranski isn't buying it. Her scathing critique of the luxury space expedition sparked heated debates among fans and critics alike. The Mamma Mia star's words are a stark reminder that, for all the glitz and glamour of celebrity culture, there lies a darker truth – one of staggering wealth disparity and an increasingly commercialized world.

Sources: TheScholarlyNote.com