Gayle King Celebrates Young Star Journey’s Showstopping Performance In Beetlejuice

Instagram/@gayleking

Gayle King could never get enough of calling it: proud mama moments for 11-year-old Journey, who recently landed the lead role of Lydia in the Riverdale Y production of Beetlejuice. The veteran broadcaster lavished praise on the young actress, “I might even be a little bias,” she said, “but I am sure that Journey was the star of that show.”

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What started as an Instagram shout-out to youth talents became an avalanche of praise from King’s famous friends and followers. The official Beetlejuice Broadway Instagram page posted, “breaking news: I’m crying,” whereas journalist Yvette Gibson commented, “congrats you must be so proud! She looks amazing!”

One very enthusiastic commenter cried, “Journey has great stage presence! Bravo,” followed by great amounts of clapping emojis. Yet another one could not resist the urge to comment on how moving the entire family moment was, writing, “@iamthatreporterjd you look so proud. The smile says it all,” which perfectly captures that feeling of unstinting support that parents get watching their own kids take the stage.

It was a momentum almost vague with prophecy, with another commenting, “Broadway be on the lookout!!!!!” insinuating that this may be just the beginning of the young actress’ career. Another fan cheekily implored, “I need her autograph!” as though speaking of a seasoned star, not an 11-year-old in her debut role.

The comments went beyond Journey and recognized the hard work of the other young performers: “Congratulations to ALL the kids in the show! They are all stars!” Such collective praise is emanating from the theater-community ethos in which these young talents grow.

The comment section illuminated one aspect of what young performers tackle with a very honest observation: “It takes guts to be a theater kid,” stating all the courage needed. That was echoed rather silently throughout the thread, where praise for Journey’s confidence and stage presence implied that she’s being molded with that sort of tough skin she’s going to need in performing arts.

Breaking in between the hype looks like a perfectly blunt comment from a teacher stating: “Beautiful talented young lady. Always proud of young people after my decades of teaching young teens,” before digressing somewhat oddly from the jubilant thread. The hard switch again stood as an example of social media’s disgusting penchant for intertwining real celebration with personal whining.

That outpour of support from King’s post is one more story to show how far and wide such moments can reach beyond a mere family circle. When celebrities like Gayle King actually take time to uplift an emerging talent, ripples of inspiration are created. For every young artist like Journey who enjoys this much attention, countless others get the short shrift, and some who might be thinking, “maybe that could be me someday.”

King’s post was thus about more than just a proud godmother moment–it was a community celebration of youth, talent, and the power of theater for transformation. The enthusiastic outpour testifies that, even today, in this cynical age, people still truly gain joy from seeing a fresh talent rise, particularly when it’s such an unusually charming kitchen-table-sized package.

If the debut’s response is anything to go by, the sun is most probably setting on this production of Journey, and one thing is certain: she will most certainly be heard from again within theatrical circles, and sooner rather than later! Those that run the theatrical world somehow seem to find their stars early, and from knowing how well she did in Beetlejuice, this may well be one of them.

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In a similarly inspiring journey, Alana Thompson, also known as Honey Boo Boo, has shared challenges with her own evolution.