Astronaut Kellie Gerardi Takes Over as Godmother of Star of the Seas
by Marsha Mowers
Astronaut and social media influencer Kellie Girardi has been named Godmother of Star of the Seas. (Photo: Royal Caribbean)
Astronaut and social media influencer Kellie Gerardi has been named Godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, replacing Motown icon Diana Ross, who recently announced she declined the role due to “unforseen circumstances.”
The appointment happened quickly after Ross’s departure and was announced on board the trade sailing of Star of the Seas by Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley.
“We thought, ‘who could be the godmother now?’” Bayley told attendees. “We’re starting out of Port Canaveral, the ship is called Star of the Seas, so why don’t we find someone who’s been to space?”
The 36 year old commercial astronaut is known for a sub-orbital spaceflight with Virgin Galactic and her candidacy for the Mars One reality television show. Gerardi was among the first 100 women in space. In 2025, she won a Webby Award for sharing her personal struggles with fertility on social media, was listed in Time’s 100 creators, and named one of USA Today’s women of the year.
She is scheduled to lead an all-female research team on a 2026 mission. Her research centers on bioastronautics and human-operated experiments in microgravity, with a focus on biomedical monitoring and fluid dynamics in weightless environments.
Gerardi is scheduled to attend a naming ceremony before the Star of the Seas’ showcase cruise departs Port Canaveral in Florida on Aug. 20.
