Jessica King, better known as Jess King, is an American dancer and fitness instructor, best known for her classes at the exercise equipment company Peloton.[1]

Jessica King
Born1985 (age 38–39)
Occupation(s)Fitness instructor, dancer
Children2

Early life and family

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King was born in 1985 and grew up in Myrtle Beach.[2] She was exposed to fitness from a young age. Her mother, Ximena Bernales, was a competitive bodybuilder and owned boutique fitness studios.[3]

Career

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King began her professional career as a dancer. She toured as a dancer and teacher and was the lead in a Cirque Du Soleil production in Las Vegas.[3] In 2008, she was a Top 10 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance.[4] She was dancing in a show in New York City when the producer suggested she interview with Peloton, a new fitness startup looking for coaches.[3] She accepted an instructor position despite having never been on a spin bike before.[4]

King played the fictitious Peloton instructor "Allegra" in the premier episode of And Just Like That... (the Sex and the City sequel series), in which Mr. Big had a heart attack.[5][6] Immediately following the TV episode, Jess King starred in a spoof Peloton ad with Mr. Big, produced by Ryan Reynolds.[7]

Personal life

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King is in a relationship with Sophia Urista, to whom she got engaged in 2020.[8][9] In May 2022, the couple announced that King was pregnant with their first child.[10] Their son, Lucien, was born in November 2022.[11][12] In February 2023, the couple announced that Urista was pregnant with their second child.[11] Their daughter, Afiza Maria Urista King, was born in July 2023, 8 months after her brother.[13][12]

References

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  1. ^ Radding, Ben (October 19, 2017). "This Move Will Help to Build Your Butt and Prevent Injury". Men's Health. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  2. ^ Zarrella, Katharine K. (January 10, 2020). "Your Gym Outfit Might Be Too Boring". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Path, The. "Peloton Instructor Jess King Talks About the Workout Revolutionizing Spin – The Path Magazine". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "How Peloton's Spin Instructors Became the Rock Stars of the Fitness World". Fashion Magazine. June 18, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Garner, Glen (December 21, 2021). "Mr. Big Reunites with Peloton's Jess King for Commercial After And Just Like That... Bombshell". Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  6. ^ America, Good Morning. "Peloton responds to 'Sex and the City' sequel 'And Just Like That...' with ad featuring Chris Noth". Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Peloton Removes Their Chris Noth 'SATC' Ad Amid Sexual Assault Allegations". Bustle. December 16, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Konstantinovsky, Michelle (June 28, 2021). "Peloton's Jess King Is Turning Up the Volume and Showing Up As Her Truest Self". Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Bell, BreAnna (May 21, 2022). "Peloton Instructor Jess King Cradles Her Baby Bump in First Maternity Shoot: 'Already Obsessed'". Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  10. ^ Eley, Amy (May 7, 2022). "Peloton instructor Jess King is pregnant". Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Andaloro, Angela. "Peloton's Jess King's Wife Pregnant with Couple's Second Baby 3 Months After Welcoming Son". Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Peloton's Jess King & Sophia Urista Welcome Baby No. 2". www.thebump.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Andaloro, Angela; Sacks, Hannah (July 21, 2023). "Peloton's Jess King and Wife Sophia Urista Welcome Daughter Afiza 8 Months After Birth of Son". People. Retrieved September 30, 2023.