As part of a weekly series called YSL News’s The Essentials, celebrities reveal what energizes them in their daily lives, whether at home, working, or traveling.

So, what inspires Gayle King, the co-anchor of “CBS Mornings,” editor-at-large for Oprah Daily, host of her own SiriusXM show, and now a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model? To embrace her latest title, she needed one key element: bravery (plus a cheeseburger from room service the night before her photoshoot).

“When they asked me, I honestly thought it was a prank,” reveals King, 69. “I didn’t believe it was a serious request.”

However, SI genuinely wanted her to pose for its 60th anniversary edition, without revealing she’d be on the cover at first. (King learned this surprising fact from fellow cover models Kate Upton and Hunter McGrady during a segment on “CBS Mornings.”)

Before saying yes, King consulted her “kitchen cabinet,” consisting of her two children, Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr., along with her longtime best friend, Oprah Winfrey. “I didn’t want to look foolish,” admits King.

Her children, fondly referred to as her “favorite son” and “favorite daughter,” urged her to “go for it.”

King recounted a conversation with Winfrey, saying, “This could be fun.” Winfrey responded, “Well, we have different definitions of fun.” King shared that while she’s eager to explore new places, Winfrey prefers the comfort of familiar surroundings. Nevertheless, Winfrey was excited about the opportunity.

King loved the experience, although she would have chosen a specific photo featuring her in a favorite yellow one-piece swimsuit from Eres. Continue reading to discover the other joys in King’s life, from relaxing baths to her favorite music.

Scrub-a-dub-dub: Gayle King’s necessity for a bathtub

Fans might recall Oprah mentioning on James Corden’s late-night show that the bathtub at her home was custom-made to fit her perfectly. “I’m serious about my baths,” Oprah said during that 2018 interview. King shares that passion for a good soak.

“I’ve entered stunning hotel suites,” King remarks, “but if there’s no tub, I’ll call the front desk and ask if there’s a room available that does have one. I truly enjoy relaxing in a bathtub.”

For her bath, King chooses Johnson’s Baby Bubble Bath or L’Occitane’s refreshing citrus-scented options to create the perfect bubbles. “I want something that produces nice suds, and I like the water to be hot,” she notes.

Gayle King and Oprah’s TV preferences

From her bathtub, King can enjoy another must-have: a good television. She has a “nice-sized” TV in her bathroom, though she doesn’t disclose the exact size.

“I won’t call it huge, but it’s a comfortable size,” she shares. “I don’t have to squint to see it.”

She enjoys watching Bravo’s “Real Housewives” and CNN’s Abby Phillip, and often dozes off while the TV is on, prompting Winfrey to make special arrangements for her visits.

“In Oprah’s home, only the bedroom where I stay has a TV,” King laughs. “She mentioned that no one else ever requests one. I told her, ‘Well, they aren’t being honest with you.'”

Music: Gayle King’s joyful escape

“I have a very diverse taste in music,” says King, expressing admiration for artists like Gracie Abrams, Andrea Bocelli, Luke Combs, Missy Elliott, and Megan Moroney.

“I can’t even begin to describe how much I love music,” she continues, describing it as her “happy place.” “I’m currently trying to figure out how I can catch Taylor Swift on tour. I’ve seen the Eras tour, but I’ve heard experiencing it in another country is something special. I’m looking into that or trying to make it to her last show in December.

“You could be feeling down, and a great song comes on that can instantly lift your spirits. Sometimes the music is so incredible that it sends chills down my spine.”

Gayle King’s workouts can start as early as 4 a.m.

Her exercise regimen features cardio activities, which she performs on either a treadmill or elliptical machine, along with strength training.

“I know this is really vital for my bone health,” she explains regarding her focus on strength training. “So I’ve added more of it to my routine.”

Whenever she’s traveling, King insists that any hotel must offer a gym that is open 24/7.

“With the time differences, it’s not unusual for me to work out at 4 a.m. on the West Coast since that feels like 7 a.m. to me,” she remarks.

Is Gayle King in a relationship?

“I lead a wonderful life, but having someone special to share it with would be fantastic,” King acknowledges.

She mentioned that CBS News colleague Jericka Duncan proposed that her kids and co-anchors, Nate Burleson and Tony Dokoupil, should vet potential partners for her.

“I said, ‘Anyone who would agree to that is not someone I’d want to date,'” King reflects. “Surely there must be a better method than a nationwide effort to find me a date on ‘CBS Mornings.'”

Currently, she claims she isn’t dating anyone of significance, describing herself as “open and ready.”

Approaching the Emmy-winning journalist is actually simpler than one might think. She encourages starting with a friendly greeting: “‘Hi, Gayle.’ Just that is a great way to begin.”