Gayle King says Oprah Winfrey 'welled up' with pride over her Blue Origin flight, not from fear of mishap

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Gayle King has revealed that Oprah Winfrey was overcome with emotion after her return from space, but it wasn't because she feared something would go wrong.

The 'CBS Mornings' host opened up about her longtime friend's reaction after her April 14 space journey with Blue Origin’s all-female crew.

Oprah Winfrey 'welled up' after Gayle King's return from space

During her interview with E! News at the TIME100 gala, Gayle King shared that Oprah Winfrey’s emotional response was rooted in pride.

“She was so welled up,” the 70-year-old said, adding, “I know she said at one point [that] she was proud of me.”

King clarified that Winfrey wasn’t worried that something bad would happen during the flight.

“When people saw her crying, people said, ‘Oh, she’s so worried. She thinks something's gonna happen,’” King shared.

“That wasn't it at all. She was crying because she knew what it took for me to do that, and so when I came [back] she was saying, ‘I'm so proud of you. You did that and I'm so proud of you,’” she added.

The trip was led by Lauren Sanchez, who is engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.

The all-female crew included singer Katy Perry, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

Gayle King says Oprah Winfrey told her she was going to be OK

Gayle King recalled how Oprah Winfrey supported her throughout the experience.

“She always said I was gonna be OK. And Oprah knows things,” the journalist shared. 

King’s own concerns ahead of the flight were visible in a viral meme showing her expression as she boarded the spacecraft.

“At that moment I was so afraid, I just wanted to get into my seat because I just wanted to let the training kick in,” she said at a post-flight news conference.

“I just wanted to get inside the capsule and sit down, so the process of walking up there was a little daunting for me,” King added.

Gayle King claps back at Olivia Munn's criticism

Public reaction to the mission was mixed, with some praising it while others questioned its purpose.

Olivia Munn, like many other celebs, criticized the mission. “What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous," she said on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' on April 4.

"Space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?” the actress asked.

King defended the experience on CBS Mornings, saying, “There was nothing frivolous about what we do.”

She also reflected on how it could inspire future generations, noting, “So, you know, I'm very disappointed and very saddened by it [the criticism]. And I also say this — what it's doing to inspire other women and young girls? Please don't ignore that.”