Katy Perry is swapping concert lights for starry views as she prepares for her next show—on a Blue Origin flight into space. The 40-year-old pop star will fly with Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez, TV host Gayle King, and three other pioneering women on a 10-minute trip to the space frontier aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.
The mission, which will launch from West Texas, is a historic first as one of the very few all-female spaceflights since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in 1963.
Perry's Cosmic Curiosity Driven by Science
Perry has been delving deep into astrophysics and space science. To fully enjoy the space display, she's been listening to Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" and reading string theory to absorb the scale of what she's about to embark on, according to a report by The Independent.
The singer admits that she's interested in astrophysics and the stars.
Perry's interest in the universe is not new. Her catalog features cosmic imagery with such hits as "E.T." and "Firework." Now, she's set to live that symbolism by literally reaching for the stars.
Read more: Blue Origin: New Glenn Soared to Orbit On First Test Flight Featuring a Slow Burn Climb to the Skies
Empowering the Next Generation of Space Explorers
For Perry, the experience is about more than personal accomplishment—it's about empowering others, particularly young girls.
"I am talking to myself every day and going, 'You're brave, you're bold, you are doing this for the next generation to inspire so many different people, but especially young girls to go, 'I'll go to space in the future." No limitations," Perry said.
Motherhood has also strengthened her resolve. Her four-year-old daughter, Daisy, accompanied her to the rehearsal, anchoring Perry's mission in purpose.
A Star-Studded Crew Breaking New Ground
Alongside Perry, the Blue Origin mission will feature Lauren Sanchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, scientist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn. Sanchez handpicked the diverse and accomplished crew for the company's 11th human spaceflight.
Perry acknowledged the Blue Origin invitation, praising that only 11% of space explorers are women. She hopes that more females will attempt flying into space in the years to come.
How to Watch the All-Female Blue Origin Mission
Viewers can watch the New Shepard spacecraft launch from West Texas on Monday, April 14. You can watch the live coverage of this historic event at 7 a.m. on Blue Origin's X account and official YouTube channel.
