Update: Meghan Markle’s pal set to join Katy Perry on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space flight…See More

Gayle King, who’s friends with Meghan Markle, will be part of an all-female team aboard the upcoming New Shepard NS-31 mission, curated by Lauren Sanchez, who is married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos

Gayle King is on her way to kiss the stars, as Blue Origin has officially confirmed that the journalist will blast off into space along with an extraordinary all-women crew aboard Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard NS-31 mission.

The stellar squad assembled by Lauren Sanchez, wife of the aerospace mogul Bezos, consists of King alongside rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bio-astronautics expert Amanda Nguyen, songstress Katy Perry, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Sanchez herself. Poised to be the 11th crewed mission under the New Shepard banner, they promise a celestial jaunt to the boundaries of space, sure to enthrall any paying adventurer.

CBS Mornings took to social media hinting that audiences could soon “watch Gayle take to the skies” this spring. A heartfelt King, who’s friends with Meghan Markle, couldn’t contain her emotions upon the reveal: “I’m so afraid, but I’m so excited. I just thought, What a unique opportunity.”

Revealing her decision-making process, King shared how she was swayed by meeting the remarkable team and receiving enthusiastic support from loved ones — including media queen Oprah Winfrey, who candidly advised her, “If you don’t do it and see everyone come back so excited, you will be kicking yourself.”, reports the Mirror.

She expressed her astonishment, remarking: “If someone would have told me that I would be able to go to space one day, I would have definitely, well, I don’t know, laughed” She continued with sheer disbelief: “I can’t believe it’s happening. My dad used to teach people how to fly, and I used to hang around the hanger and I thought dreaming of becoming a pilot was a huge deal, and this is even bigger.”

She didn’t shy away from extolling her fellow space adventurers, declaring: “The incredible women that are going on this flight are extraordinary in all of their fields, but more importantly, they’re incredible storytellers.”

Her hopes for the journey are high: “So what I’m hoping for is, this flight is not just transformative for them, but also for all of the people that they tell their story to.

Concluding her anticipation, she reflected on the broader impact: “Hopefully it sparks that imagination to a dream big and reach for the stars.”

Since 2021, Blue Origin has been propelling eager tourists just past the Kármán line for quick tastes of space. A mixed bag of individuals, some gifted with spots aboard while others dip into their savings, have felt the unique rush of microgravity.

Even Amazon’s mastermind Bezos, aged 61, indulged in the early days, partaking in the maiden launch side by side with his brother.