Am I Blue (Space)?
Beyond a billionaire's cosmic vanity project
Hello, Gorgeous,
Earlier this week the notion of female empowerment and girl power chirped an intergalactic death knell as Bezos’s Beauties went up in space.
In case you missed it, on Monday morning, Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez briefly went to space and back. They were part of an all-female group of six. Oh. Also present were former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and former socialite cum film producer Kerianne Flynn.
Space exploration, but make it sexy
I debated with myself mightily before writing about this topic, because frankly, it still makes me queasy.
While I love the idea of getting glammed up for the right occasions, watching Bezos’s new and improved vanity project was more like watching Charlie's Angels: Space Edition or Barbie's Billionaire Adventure. There was so much cringe in the bright blue skin-hugging spacesuits that it felt more like fashion week in space than a legitimate exploration of space travel. And let’s not even discuss the opening (but refundable!) price of $150k per ticket during a time when for most people, every dollar is harder to come by.
Seeing the perfect hair extensions, customized nail art, coifs, and camera-ready makeup, felt more like Space Barbie for the male gaze, or Barbarella lite updated for the social media age. I cannot tell a lie. Seeing the crew emerged in their designer MONSE flight suits (yup, a fashion brand created special sexy spacesuits), for a 10-minute jaunt into space made me extremely uncomfortable. It was hard to see this as anything other than feminism repackaged for male consumption.
Let’s face it, these (mostly) accomplished women seemed to be simply part of a publicity stunt for Bezos, acting as the backup dancers for his ego and ambition.
But what about the accomplished women in the crew?
Lost in the celebrity circus were two genuinely impressive scientists:
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist who now heads STEMBoard and founded the edtech company LINGO
Amanda Nguyen, a Harvard graduate bioastronautics research scientist who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her work advocating for sexual violence survivors.
These women have legitimate credentials and became the first Bahamian and Vietnamese women in space. Their respectively historic achievements were all but overshadowed by glitz and the Bezos PR machine.
For me, this whole uncomfortable affair felt like taking the notion of nepo babies to new heights. Behold: The birth of the nepo fiancee.
As for Gayle King, Oprah’s bestie has received some of the harshest criticism of all the participants. Perhaps it’s because we hold King to a higher standard that her diving headfirst into this glorified PR stunt all the more jarring. And let’s be honest, massive PR opp aside (including the cover of ELLE magazine), one has to wonder how much Bezos shelled out in salaries for these six.
For me, this whole uncomfortable affair felt like taking the notion of nepo babies to new heights. Behold: The birth of nepo fiancee.
Sánchez joked about the mission to reporter Charissa Thompson, saying, "Jeff, if you don't want to marry me, you don't have to send me to space;” She unwittingly revealed the true nature of this cosmic venture: the most extravagant bachelorette party in history.
Blue Origin space exploration is just another exclusive club for the ultra-wealthy and their famous friends. And let’s face it, a pricey backdrop for celebrity Instagram moments and pre-wedding publicity stunts.
But hey, at least now Lauren can add astronaut to her resume right next to philanthropist, journalist, helicopter pilot, and children's book author. Because in Bezos’s universe, credibility is just another commodity you can buy with a rocket ship and a dream.
So, what were your thoughts on the space misadventure? Let’s meet in the comment section to discuss!
Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋
I don't know where to begin.
"Bezos backup dancers" nuff said.