“I Was Terrified, But I Did It!”: Gayle King’s Thrilling Journey to Space and Back

In a groundbreaking moment that has captured the imaginations of people around the world, Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings, took a leap few could ever imagine—she went to space. On April 14, 2025, King joined an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket for an 11-minute journey that took them beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The experience left her forever changed, and her candid reflections on the journey have left fans inspired by her bravery, resilience, and vulnerability.

In her own words, Gayle King has shared the emotional rollercoaster she experienced during the journey—from battling her fears about space travel to gazing at the planet below in awe. Her story isn’t just about space; it’s about overcoming self-doubt, embracing the unknown, and showing others that no dream is too big to pursue.

A Leap Into the Unknown: Confronting Her Fear of Flight

For Gayle King, the idea of flying was already a challenge. Known for her calm, relatable presence on CBS’s morning show, King has built her career on her grounded approach to life. So, when Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, invited her to join the first all-female civilian crew to cross the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 62 miles above Earth—King hesitated.

“I’m not a fan of flying, period,” King confessed shortly after her return. “The idea of going up in a rocket? That was a whole new level of scary.” Her honesty resonated deeply with viewers, as many could relate to her fear of taking on something as monumental as space travel.

Yet, despite her fears, King knew that this was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up. The all-female crew was not just a first for Blue Origin; it was a chance to inspire women and girls everywhere, particularly those of color, to dream bigger and aim higher. King herself was motivated by the thought of how this journey could impact others.

“I kept thinking about all the little girls out there who might see this and think, ‘If Gayle can do it, maybe I can too,’” King shared. This thought pushed her to face her fear head-on and take part in what would become a historic and life-changing experience.

The Training: More Than Just a Journey

The road to space wasn’t just about donning a spacesuit and blasting off. King and her fellow crew members underwent extensive training at Blue Origin’s West Texas facility. They learned the ins and outs of the New Shepard spacecraft, practiced emergency procedures, and underwent high-altitude simulations to prepare for the physical demands of suborbital flight.

Despite her extensive career in front of cameras and microphones, King admitted that this kind of preparation was unlike anything she had faced before. “I’m used to asking tough questions in an interview, but this? This was a whole different kind of challenge,” she laughed, admitting how outside of her comfort zone the experience made her feel.

But as the big day approached, King found herself growing more excited than nervous, buoyed by the camaraderie and confidence of the women around her. Alongside pop superstar Katy Perry, philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn, King was part of a diverse and inspiring group of women breaking new ground in space exploration.

The Moment of Truth: Launching into Space

On April 14, 2025, the morning of the flight, King’s nerves were palpable. As she boarded the rocket, a photo was snapped of her wide-eyed expression, capturing the raw, unfiltered emotion of someone about to embark on an extraordinary journey. “I won’t lie, I was shaking,” King recalled. “I kept thinking, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ But then I looked at the other women, all so strong and confident, and I told myself, ‘You’ve got this.’”

As the countdown began and the rocket engines roared to life, the intensity of the moment hit. The New Shepard soared into the sky, accelerating to over 2,000 miles per hour in a matter of seconds. For King, those initial moments were a whirlwind of adrenaline.

“It felt like the world was pressing down on me, but also like I was being lifted into something bigger,” she described. For the crew, the moment they crossed the Kármán line and experienced weightlessness was a feeling of awe and wonder that was hard to describe.

A View That Changed Everything

For those precious few minutes in space, the crew experienced weightlessness, but what left the greatest impression on King was the view of Earth from space. “It’s hard to put into words,” King said, reflecting on the breathtaking sight of the blue planet against the infinite blackness of space. “You’re just free. Everything you know about how your body moves is gone, and you’re looking out at the curve of the Earth. It’s breathtaking.”

That moment of seeing Earth from space gave King a profound new perspective. “You realize how small we are, but also how connected we all are,” she said. The experience of floating above the planet without borders, divisions, or any of the conflicts that divide humanity was an eye-opening moment for King. “There are no borders up there, no divisions. It’s just one beautiful planet, and it makes you want to take care of it,” she added.

The flight was part of Blue Origin’s broader mission to make space exploration sustainable. King’s reflections were in line with that goal—she saw the flight not just as an opportunity for personal adventure but as part of a greater movement to protect and preserve the planet.

Facing Critics: Defending the Mission

As with many high-profile missions, King faced criticism for participating in a commercial spaceflight. Celebrities like Olivia Munn and Olivia Wilde raised concerns about the environmental impact of space tourism and questioned the value of such “joyrides” for the wealthy elite. The criticism sparked a heated debate in the media.

In response, King defended the mission, explaining that the journey wasn’t just a frivolous escapade but a significant step for the future of space exploration. “I hear the critics, and I understand where they’re coming from,” King said in a follow-up interview. “But this wasn’t just a trip for fun. It was about showing what’s possible—pushing the boundaries of science and inspiring the next generation.” She also pointed out that Blue Origin was working on making space exploration more sustainable, including efforts to reduce waste in orbit and protect Earth’s environment.

The Viral Moment: King’s Nervous Expression Becomes a Meme

One unexpected outcome of King’s space adventure was the viral moment captured when she boarded the rocket. Her nervous expression, caught on camera as she prepared for lift-off, quickly became a meme, with people across the internet poking fun at her pre-launch anxiety. King took it all in stride, laughing about it on CBS Mornings.

“I saw those memes, and I get it—I looked like I was about to run for the hills!” she joked. “But you know what? That’s real. It’s okay to be scared and still do the thing that scares you.”

King’s ability to remain authentic, even in the face of humor and criticism, endeared her even further to her audience. Her response to the viral memes showed that vulnerability could coexist with strength.

A Legacy of Inspiration

For Gayle King, her journey into space was more than just a personal milestone—it was a call to action for others, particularly young girls and women of color, to pursue their dreams, no matter how out of reach they may seem. Her journey into space, alongside other incredible women, serves as a reminder that the boundaries of possibility are meant to be pushed.

King’s journey also underscores the importance of representation in space exploration. “I thought about my grandmother, who never could have imagined this, and about the kids today who might see this and dream bigger,” King said, emphasizing the importance of inspiring future generations.

Conclusion: The Power of Dreaming Big

Gayle King’s journey to space is a powerful reminder of the power of ambition, bravery, and representation. By pushing through her fear and embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, she has shown viewers that with determination, no dream is too big to pursue.

As King continues to inspire with her story, her message is clear: “I was terrified, but I did it. And if I can do it, so can you.” Her story has reignited the spirit of possibility for countless people, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures are the ones that require us to face our greatest fears. Gayle King has not just crossed the Kármán line—she’s crossed a threshold in inspiring others to dream big and chase the stars.