Katy Perry Makes History as First Artist to Sing in Space

Pop star Katy Perry has made history by becoming the first artist to sing while in space, joining five other women on a spaceflight aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket.

Perry was accompanied by Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez and CBS anchor Gayle King, who described the highlight of the trip as listening to Perry sing Louis Armstrong’s classic, “What a Wonderful World,” while floating in space.

After safely returning to Earth, Katy Perry said the experience left her feeling “deeply connected to life” and “profoundly in touch with love.”

The entire journey lasted around 11 minutes, taking the six women more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) above the Earth—crossing the internationally recognised boundary of space—and allowing them a few minutes of weightlessness.

The crew also included former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

According to the BBC, the New Shepard rocket launched from its West Texas site just after 8:30 a.m. local time (2:30 p.m. BST).

The capsule returned to Earth with a smooth parachute-assisted landing, while the rocket booster also landed safely back in Texas.

Cheers erupted from inside the capsule as rescue teams approached to retrieve the passengers.

Jeff Bezos personally opened the hatch door to welcome back Lauren Sánchez, who was the first to step out.

“I’m so proud of this crew,” Bezos said, his voice emotional. “I can’t even put it into words.”

He paused, then added: “I looked out the window, and we could see the moon.”

“The Earth looked so still,” he said, adding that the silence of space was unexpected. “It was quiet, but truly alive.”

Next to emerge was Katy Perry, who kissed the ground and lifted a daisy into the air—her daughter’s name is Daisy.

Gayle King also dropped to her knees and kissed the ground.

“I just want to take a moment to be with the Earth, just to thank the Earth for a second,” she said.

Last out was Kerianne Flynn, who pointed skyward and shouted: “I went to space!”

Several celebrities had gathered on the ground to watch the launch.

Speaking from the viewing platform, Khloé Kardashian said: “I didn’t realise how emotional it would be—it's hard to describe. I’ve got all this adrenaline and I’m just standing here in awe.”

She added: “Whatever you dream, we can achieve—especially in today’s world. Dream big, wish upon the stars—and maybe one day, you can be among them.”