Lauren Sánchez Shares Why She’s ‘Incredibly Excited’ to Head to Space with Katy Perry and Gayle King (Exclusive)

Lauren Sanchez Shares Excitement for Space Trip with Gayle King

Lauren Sanchez is gearing up for an extraordinary journey to space alongside her friend Gayle King, and she couldn’t be more thrilled about the upcoming adventure. The philanthropist, writer, and former TV journalist is set to embark on an all-female space flight for Blue Origin, with a new companion joining her on the mission – Flynn, the character from her debut children’s book, The Fly Who Flew to Space.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Sanchez, 55, expressed her excitement at the unique opportunity to follow in Flynn’s fictional footsteps. “When I wrote The Fly Who Flew to Space, I never imagined I’d be taking a similar journey so soon,” she shared. “It feels like a beautiful merging of imagination and reality.”

The children’s book narrates the tale of a fly that unintentionally finds itself aboard a rocket ship, leading to an unexpected escapade among the stars. Sanchez revealed that she resonates with Flynn’s unexpected adventure, expressing, “Like Flynn, I never envisioned going to space. This journey transcends a mere space flight; it’s about inspiring future explorers and dreamers, taking bold steps, and embracing adventure for personal growth.”

Although the exact launch date for the space flight remains unspecified, the guest list is confirmed to include renowned personalities such as Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, and Amanda Nguyen. Sanchez highlighted the significance of this mission within the Blue Origin programme, marking the 11th human flight and the 31st overall for the New Shepard initiative, owned by her fiancé, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos.

Acknowledging the natural nerves that come with such an expedition, Sanchez admitted to feeling a hint of apprehension but emphasised her eagerness to witness the Earth from a celestial vantage point. She anticipates that the ‘Overview Effect’ – a profound shift in perspective experienced by some space travellers – will be a life-altering moment for her, as it has been for others.

Reflecting on the preparations for the voyage, Sanchez teased about surprises she intends to reveal during the rocket ride. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, each with a special significance,” she hinted. With her sense of enthusiasm and determination, Sanchez is poised to become part of a historic moment in space exploration while inspiring generations to dream beyond the confines of Earth’s atmosphere.

Lauren Sanchez’s forthcoming venture into the cosmos symbolises a fusion of literature, science, and personal ambition, encapsulating the essence of human curiosity and aspiration. As she gears up to soar into the unknown, the world eagerly awaits the stories and experiences she will bring back from the final frontier.