Emily Ratajkowski has ignited a heated discussion after publicly criticizing Blue Origin’s historic all-female spaceflight, which took place on April 14, 2025. The New Shepard NS-31 mission, spearheaded by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, made headlines for being the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963, featuring high-profile figures like Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez. However, Ratajkowski’s outspoken reaction has drawn both support and backlash, highlighting deeper tensions about privilege, progress, and the ethics of space tourism.
Emily Ratajkowski Clarifies Comment About Being “Disgusted” by Blue Origin Spaceflight https://t.co/ayd1gELDYC
— E! News (@enews) April 15, 2025
In a TikTok video posted shortly after the launch, the 33-year-old model expressed her frustration, calling the mission “end-times s***” and stating she was “disgusted” by the event. Ratajkowski clarified her stance in a follow-up video on April 15, emphasizing that her criticism was not directed at the women involved but at the broader context of the flight. She argued that while an all-female crew might appear as a milestone for women in science, the mission—organized by a billionaire for space tourism—symbolized a stark disconnect. “We’re living in an oligarchy where a small group of people can afford to chase a new lease on life in space, while most are struggling to pay rent or feed their kids,” she said. Ratajkowski also echoed a sentiment she found online, stating, “Privilege is not an accomplishment,” and called the 11-minute joyride a misuse of resources during a time of global crises.
The mission, which included notable figures like bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen and former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, was celebrated by some as a step toward inclusivity in space exploration. Perry, upon returning, shared that the flight was about “making space for future women,” while Bowe described it as a “pinch me” moment fulfilling her lifelong dream. However, Ratajkowski’s comments resonated with other celebrities like Olivia Wilde and Olivia Munn, who also questioned the mission’s purpose. Munn highlighted the financial disparity, noting that many Americans “can’t even afford eggs,” while Wilde shared memes mocking the event.
Blue Origin, founded by Bezos in 2000, promotes its vision of sustainable space travel, claiming the New Shepard’s engine emits only water vapor with no carbon emissions. Yet, the debate Ratajkowski has sparked underscores a growing divide over whether such ventures represent progress or privilege in an era of pressing earthly challenges.
