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Blue Origin may have achieved an all-female milestone with its latest NS31 mission, but back on Earth, not everyone is clapping. On April 14, 2025, a rocket carrying six high-profile women, including pop superstar Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, launched into space in what was touted as a “historic” moment for female representation in the cosmos.

But hold the applause.

Because the moment those photos hit social media, so did the backlash. Actress Olivia Munn did not hold back and pretty much obliterated the mission’s so-called significance with one very pointed and absolutely unbothered statement:

“What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous. Space exploration was to further our knowledge and help mankind. What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?”

Ouch. And she wasn’t alone.

Olivia Munn Isn’t Impressed, and Neither Are a Lot of People

Let’s unpack this. Olivia Munn, known for her sharp wit and intelligence, saw right through the glitter and zero gravity glamor. Her words weren’t just a passing dig. They struck at the heart of the performative nature of billionaire funded “space joyrides” wrapped in faux feminism.

Munn’s criticism sparked a viral debate online. Many applauded her for cutting through the noise and calling it what it is: elite tourism dressed up as progress. If this is the future, it’s wearing a Chanel spacesuit and not doing a damn thing to fix the problems we have down here.

Emily Ratajkowski: “End Time S**t”

Model and author Emily Ratajkowski didn’t mince her words either. She called the launch “end time s**t,” likening the whole affair to something out of a dystopian satire.

And honestly? She’s not wrong.

In a world facing climate collapse, inequality, and humanitarian crises, the sight of mega-rich celebrities floating in space while sipping on luxury hydration tablets feels a little sickening. A little beyond parody. Maybe a lot.

Emily questioned how someone like Katy Perry, who has previously supported climate awareness, could take part in a mission funded by a company with a less than stellar environmental track record. The cognitive dissonance is loud, and so are the critics.

Amy Schumer and Olivia Wilde Join the Roast

Comedian Amy Schumer took the snark route with a parody sketch that basically torched the whole idea. Floating in a fake capsule with a mimosa in hand, she delivered lines like, “This is the kind of innovation we need: rich ladies levitating for TikTok.”

Meanwhile, Olivia Wilde delivered the kill shot in a now viral Instagram story that read
“A billion dollars for a photo op? Well, at least it bought some good memes.”

It’s giving detached. It’s giving oblivious. It’s giving. We have real problems, babes.

Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez Attempt to Defend the Mission

Not everyone involved is letting the criticism slide.

Gayle King, who was onboard the mission and appeared visibly emotional after landing, defended the trip. She insisted it was about “inspiration” and told the haters to “do their research.” She believes seeing women in space will inspire the next generation of girls to pursue science, tech, and aerospace dreams.

Lauren Sánchez echoed that sentiment, clapping back at critics during a post-launch press briefing. “Anyone who doubts what we’re doing should come visit Blue Origin and see the incredible work being done,” she said, visibly annoyed but still polished.

But for critics, that just isn’t enough. The optics are off. The message feels sanitized. And the reality? Inspiration without impact rings hollow.

The Bigger Question: Who Really Benefits?

Sure, space travel is cool. Yes, we’ve come a long way since the Apollo missions. And, of course, women belong in space just like they belong everywhere else.

But this isn’t that.

This was not a NASA-led mission for research or discovery. It was a commercial stunt. A press release disguised as progress. And when you wrap that in a pink bow of female empowerment while flying aboard a billionaire’s vanity project, expect the internet to bite back.

Because as Olivia Munn so perfectly asked
“What are they doing up there that’s making life better for the rest of us down here?”

Spoiler alert: absolutely nothing.

It’s Giving Space Chic, Not Space Change

In the end, what we witnessed wasn’t a triumph for women. It was a triumph for branding. It was a flex. A spectacle. A luxury adventure masquerading as a leap for womankind.

So, while the capsule may have reached new heights, the mission’s relevance here on Earth remains painfully low.

And Olivia Munn? She said what most of us were thinking.

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