Recently, a sensational rumor began circulating on social media suggesting that renowned rapper Young Thug, along with several celebrities, would be taking a trip to outer space aboard a Blue Origin flight. The speculation was sparked by a post from the X account @DailyNoud on April 16, 2025, which stated:
“BREAKING: Young Thug will be the next artist launched into space next month (via Blue Origin).”
This claim was notably accompanied by a photo of Young Thug dressed in an astronaut suit, alongside a purported screenshot from Blue Origin’s X account listing the names of the alleged crew members:
“Meet the New Shepard NS-32 crew launching in May 2025: Tom Cruise, Kendall Jenner, Jameis Winston, Drew ‘Druski’ Desbordes, Young Thug, and Angel Reese!”
At its peak, the Daily Noud post garnered an impressive 1.8 million views. However, this intriguing claim has since been debunked: Blue Origin did not issue any such announcement on their official X account, and furthermore, Daily Noud clearly identifies itself as a source of satirical content.
“#1 Source For PARODY Hip-Hop News | Follow For Viral Content | These are fake stories | Not affiliated with @DailyLoud,” the profile bio emphasizes.
The claim appears to serve more as a viral marketing stunt than a factual report, and the images in question likely originate from computer-generated imagery, raising further doubts about their authenticity.
Highlights from Blue Origin’s Recent Spaceflight
On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin successfully conducted an all-female, fully autonomous mission as part of its New Shepard series, designated NS-31. This groundbreaking launch featured a distinguished crew comprising:
- Katy Perry, singer-songwriter
- Gayle King, CBS host
- Aisha Bowe, former NASA rocket scientist
- Amanda Nguyen, space researcher and civil rights activist
- Kerianne Flynn, movie producer
- Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos’s fiancée
The six women launched from a West Texas site, reaching the Karman Line, which is recognized as the boundary of space, situated at 100 kilometers above sea level. Throughout this brief journey, the crew experienced moments of weightlessness before successfully returning to Earth with the aid of parachutes in a controlled landing. The entire mission lasted a mere 11 minutes and was streamed live by Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000.
The flight was unique for its lack of a pilot; all operations were fully automated. Crew members underwent extensive training over two days to ensure their readiness for the experience, which included drills on emergency protocols and safety measures in a zero-gravity environment. Two additional support team members remained in-ground positions, one to guide the astronauts and the other to keep in touch with the command center.
This mission marked the first all-female crew to ascend into space in over six decades, aligning with Blue Origin’s ongoing efforts to promote space tourism. Attending the launch were notable figures including Jeff Bezos, Gayle King’s friend Oprah Winfrey, and socialites Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian.
The estimated cost for participants like Katy Perry and her colleagues ranges from $150,000 to $200,000 per person, while each launch incurs costs of approximately $1 to $3 million, depending on various factors, according to reports by Reuters. Blue Origin has made statements about its commitment to reducing future costs associated with space travel.
Controversies and Reactions
Prior to the all-female mission, actor William Shatner had flown to space for free as a guest of Blue Origin back in 2021. Following the recent flight, various conspiracy theories began circulating online, with some skeptics labeling the launch as “fake.”
A particular video clip allegedly shows the capsule door being opened from inside before later clips depict Jeff Bezos using a specialized tool to open the hatch. Such discrepancies have prompted conspiracy theorists to raise questions about standard pressurized door operations, typically known to function in a specific manner that often requires a technician’s assistance.
Compounding these theories, observers noted that the landing capsule appeared unscathed, adding to the skepticism. Additionally, some theorized that a supposed satanic symbolism was present in the mission patch.
In response to the backlash and conspiratorial claims, Gayle King expressed her deep disappointment and sadness on the April 15 episode of CBS Mornings. In subsequent remarks during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she articulated that criticism from those who have never ventured beyond Earth’s atmosphere feels unfounded. During her morning show alongside astronaut Aisha Bowe, King voiced support for Blue Origin’s goals, which include innovative waste management technologies aimed at creating a better living environment on Earth.