Gayle King reveals why she looked miserable while boarding Blue Origin flight after video goes viral

CULBERSON, TEXAS: Gayle King explained the viral reaction after boarding the historic all-female Blue Origin flight. The CBS News anchor made headlines and history on Monday, April 15, as part of Blue Origin’s first all-female spaceflight.

But while her fellow crewmates beamed with excitement, a clip of King looking visibly distressed as she boarded the spacecraft quickly went viral, sparking a wave of online speculation. Was it nerves? Now, King is setting the record straight about the moment that left the internet buzzing.

Gayle King opens up about viral spaceflight reaction: 'I was so afraid'

After a clip of Gayle King looking visibly anxious while boarding Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight quickly went viral and turned into a meme across social media, the CBS News anchor is now sharing the real story behind the moment.

Speaking at a press conference, King admitted she was scared. “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 confessed. 

King was part of a historic crew that included singer Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

Despite the groundbreaking nature of the flight, the brief walk to the capsule was, for King, one of the most intimidating parts. “I just wanted to get inside the capsule and sit down," she said. "So the process of walking up there was a little daunting for me.”

She also shared a humorous piece of advice she received from a friend before liftoff. “I got a text from a friend who’s from Germany — so, you know, you have to appreciate the sense of humor — he says, 'Once you get there, you’re going to feel like it’s sex with the gods,’” she said.

Laughing, she added, “Well, I’ve never had sex with a god to my knowledge, so thank you for the visual," as per PEOPLE.

King described the space experience as unforgettable. “I didn’t think that, but I did think that with all the stuff that you hear about the blackness and the blues — it’s the neon blue [up in space], and it’s still and it’s quiet and you’re all feeling this experience together. I know I will never forget it.”

Reflecting on the journey, she ended on a powerful note. “I walked out of there thinking, gosh I can do anything. I’m so proud of us, I really am proud of me. Because I never in a gazillion years thought I could do this,” King said. 

Gayle King's distressed spaceflight reaction sparks online theories despite her explanation

As the reason behind Gayle King's viral spaceflight reaction surfaced, internet users quickly weighed in, some agreeing with her explanation, while others speculated about what might have been going through her mind as she boarded the flight. 

One person said, "Because the last people she might see would be Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez?" 

Another wrote, "It’s hilarious but that would be my exact same expression if I was there. 🙌🏼 Gayle keeping it real ♥️."

One individual said, "That's her natural.look....she not good looking no matter how much makeup dey put on her....she is what you call having Frirnds with Benefits." 

One Facebook user wrote, "She's a drama queen and wanted all the cameras on her!"

Another noted, "I think Gayle is now concerned about all the memes that are going to come from that expression." 

One individual wrote, "That’s her normal face." Another comment read, "She was worried what would happen to her cash if there was a crash."

One person remarked, "That face is priceless, this is hilarious."

Another commented, "What a joke...they were NOT a crew..they were millionaire passengers!"

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.