Amanda Nguyen, trailblazing scientist and civil rights crusader, is breaking her silence about the harrowing aftermath of her much-publicized Blue Origin space journey.
The 34-year-old made history this April on the Bezos-backed, all-female flight alongside headline-makers like Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, and Gayle King. But instead of a hero’s homecoming, Nguyen has been slammed with a blizzard of criticism and social media fury, sending her mental health spiraling.
Darkness falls as a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is prepped for launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station November 8, 2025. The rocket is scheduled to launch Sunday afternoon with NASA’s ESCAPADE mission. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
In a raw Instagram confession posted Sunday, Nguyen described the months after liftoff as an onslaught of cruelty. ‘When Gayle checked in on me after our return, I admitted that this depression could haunt me for years,’ admitting her dreams had soured into a nightmare. Nguyen, the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman to reach space, said her achievements—including breakthroughs in women’s health research and honoring her parents’ legacy as refugees—were overshadowed by relentless attacks online and in the press. Referring to the venomous backlash, she confessed, ‘No one is built to withstand this kind of bombardment.’
Nguyen revealed just how deep the wounds went. ‘I felt erased, my long-fought justice shredded,’ she wrote, recalling how she was unable to leave her Texas home for a week, paralyzed by grief. Even weeks later, a call from a senior Blue Origin staffer ended in tears so overwhelming she couldn’t speak.
But Nguyen isn’t only sharing her pain. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee keeps fighting, insisting that amid the storm, powerful wins emerged. Her work shone a spotlight on breast cancer research, and her dream of using science as diplomacy saw the light of day. ‘There has been so much good in all this,’ she insisted, embracing her role as a pioneer in more ways than one.
Eight months after the whirlwind 11-minute mission, Nguyen says the darkness is finally lifting. ‘I’m relieved that the sadness is fading,’ she wrote. Leaning on her identity as a survivor, Nguyen thanked the worldwide community that supported her, noting, ‘Even with the tidal wave of harassment, I kept my promise to myself. The kindness from strangers has been my saving grace.’
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health in the US, reach out—call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for help.
