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]
Early life and family
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
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
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]