Heading into the Big Blue

Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry’s high life is getting even higher!

The former Dos Pueblos High student, 40, has announced she is heading into outer space as part of the historical Blue Origins all-woman crew alongside Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos’s fiancée Lauren Sanchez and CBS anchor Gayle King this spring.

It will be the 11th flight as part of the Blue Shephard program.

Lauren, who brought the mission together, expressed her excitement over the upcoming flight in a video shown on Instagram.

So far 52 people have experienced traveling 62 miles above Earth to the Kármán Line, which is the recognized spot that separates the planet’s atmosphere from space.

Among those who have participated are Bezos himself and Star Trek actor William Shatner.

Local in the AM

A TV crew from the U.K.’s top a.m. show Good Morning Britain descended on Maison Mineards Montecito to interview me about my near neighbor Meghan Markle’s new Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan which is scheduled to launch this month.

Now similarities have been made between the title and that of Baywatch star Pamela Anderson’s new culinary show Pamela’s Cooking with Love – which also shares a similar title to the direct-to-TV movie, Cooking with Love.

Stay tuned…

Remembering Gene Hackman

Actor Gene Hackman, 95 who died under suspicious circumstances at his $3.5 million Santa Fe, New Mexico, home with classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa wife, 64, was a longtime resident of our rarefied enclave living on his 25-acre estate Piranhurst, just a tiara’s toss from Westmont College.

The imposing property was eventually acquired by the late Texan billionaire Harold Simmons and is now owned by his widow Annette. 

Hackman won two Oscars in his 60-year career, which included films like The French Connection in 1971, No Way Out in 1987 and Get Shorty in 1995.

Jelinda DeVorzon, wife of music Oscar nominee Barry DeVorzon, described Hackman as “a charming gentleman and great actor.”

Book Buddies

Former Montecito supermodel Kathy Ireland has been sharing what she misses about her late friend, Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor.

Speaking with People magazine on what would have been the Cleopatra star’s 93rd birthday Kathy, 61, says one of her abiding memories is reading the Bible with the actress.

“We talked about business and life, and we’d study the Bible together. She loved that and I loved it. It was such a gift.

“They are some of my favorite memories of Elizabeth. We would go through the Old Testament, the New Testament and bring them together. It was really special.”

Taylor, 30 years Kathy’s senior, started their special relationship in the early 2000s.

More Stars for the Miramar

No wonder billionaire hotelier Rick Caruso is smiling!

His tony oceanside hostelry the Rosewood Miramar has once again received its Triple Five-Star designation – one of only 14 properties in the world.

This the second year the Montecito property has been recognized in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Star
Rating list.

The coastal retreat also earned five-star designations for its Sense spa and its Michelin-awarded restaurant Caruso’s.

The Apps Are In

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has received 3,299 applications for financial assistance during the 2025 academic year.

The applications are currently under review and awardees will be announced in April and May.

Last year the foundation awarded more than $7.1 million to 1,787 students throughout Santa Barbara County.

Sightings

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle downing oysters at Clark’s… Michael Douglas and friends noshing at Olio e Limone… Actor Chris Pratt getting his Java jolt at Pierre Lafond.

Pip! Pip!