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Oprah Winfrey’s heartfelt reaction to her best friend Gayle King’s space journey was a beautiful testament to their deep bond and mutual admiration. Watching Gayle, along with Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn, embark on this historic spaceflight, Oprah couldn’t hold back her emotions. As the spacecraft took off, Oprah, wearing a yellow t-shirt in support of Gayle, was seen smiling with pride. She even removed her glasses to wipe away a tear, clearly overwhelmed by the moment.
In a livestream, Oprah shared her pride for Gayle, saying, “I’ve never been more proud of my friend,” and explained the significance of the flight, beyond just going to space. Oprah reflected on Gayle’s usual fear of flying, noting, “Anytime we’re on a flight, she’s in somebody’s lap if there’s the slightest bit of turbulence.” For Gayle, taking this journey was about more than exploring the cosmos—it was about overcoming deep-rooted fears.
Oprah emphasized that the trip was a monumental personal victory for Gayle, stating, “This is overcoming a wall of fear, a barrier. I think it’s going to be cathartic in so many ways.” She further revealed that she had encouraged Gayle to join the space mission, along with the other women, to experience such a life-changing event.
Oprah reflected on the importance of pushing boundaries and personal growth, adding, “I think life is about continuing to grow into the best of yourself and the fullest expression of yourself. I think this is one of the fullest expressions you can possibly have.”
Gayle’s eight-minute spaceflight, which took the crew 62 miles past the Kármán line, was a moment of triumph not just for the women on board, but also for their supporters back on Earth. All the women returned safely, having made history together.