Queens for a Day

By Bonnie Burton

Dressing in Queen Amidala's gorgeous gowns and waving at fans from a beautiful Naboo set may sound like a royal dream, but for three Star Wars fans it'll become their destiny during the upcoming Rose Bowl Parade celebration on Jan. 1, 2007, in Pasadena, California.

When Star Wars Shop customer care representative Kelsey Mccalla, and former 2005 Rose Court members Alaire Hanashian and Ashley Moreno were asked to be queens for the Star Wars float, they all jumped at the chance.

"During this year's announcement ceremony for the Rose Queen, one of the Tournament of Roses representatives inquired if I was interested in wearing Queen Amidala's costume on the official Star Wars float," Hanashian says. "I about stumbled over my words getting the 'Yes!' out. Star Wars has been a huge interest of mine while I was growing up, so being asked to be a part of the 30th anniversary float is euphoric!"

"Star Wars has easily been my favorite set of films growing up," Hanashian continues. "For each of the prequels' release dates, I've camped outside with friends for midnight showings. I wasn't even born when the original three came out! So to be a part of the Star Wars 30th anniversary and wear the genuine Queen Amidala costume is exciting beyond words. Plus my family and friends are huge Star Wars fans as well, so we're all sharing in the excitement over the event."

"It really is a big honor to be a part of a creation of Lucasfilm and Mr. Lucas himself simply because Star Wars and the subculture it has bred has become such a unique and permanent part of American culture," Moreno says. "I truly believe that there is no other phenomenon that has such a dedicated and loyal fan base anywhere else in the world, and to be able to represent and display all that is wonderful about the movies themselves is so exciting and special for me."

Mccalla has been a diehard Star Wars fan since the young age of four and still can't believe she'll have the chance to wear an authentic gown also worn by actress Natalie Portman. "There are a lot of fans that would love to be in my place to be wearing a gown from the movie and to almost be a part of the Star Wars experience," Mccalla says. "The original trilogy made me a fan but my boyfriend, Matt, brought me into my full nerdiness. I loved going to the Fan-Force meetings and being able to talk with other people about the films. The films are part of life for me and I have met so many people through the Star Wars fan community that I would have never met otherwise. It is always growing and will always be around."

Not only has Mccalla been a longtime fan, but she's also an avid costumer which makes this experience even more thrilling. "A few years ago my mom and I made the blue dress Padmé wore in the deleted scene from Episode II," Mccalla remembers. "I've worn it at a few conventions including Celebration III and Comic-Con. As a float queen I will be wearing the Black Post-Senate Gown from Episode I, from the scene in the Chancellor's office where they are discussing the changes in the Senate."

To prepare for their royal roles, the queens were fitted specially for their authentic gowns created by designer Trisha Biggar from the Lucasfilm Archives. Aside from the Post-Senate gown, fans can expect to see the Red Senate Costume from Episode I and the Packing Dress from Episode II.

As part of their responsibilities, the queens will take their respective places on the Naboo float -- one of two Star Wars floats in the parade. The other Star Wars float depicts Endor complete with three Ewoks. "Our duties as float queens are to represent the graceful image of Queen Amidala on the Star Wars 30th Anniversary float during the parade, and at several 'float showcasing' events before and after the parade," Hanashian explains. "Each of the floats for the Rose Parade are made of intricate flower designs, usually incorporating several million flowers of varying colors; the Star Wars float will be no different. Each of the three Queen Amidalas will be positioned in different locations on the float. My spot happens to be on the throne at the front of the float with two Jedi guards accompanying me on either side."

"My duties as a float queen are to show up bright and early on the first of January and be ready to have a blast representing Star Wars!" Moreno adds. "The Naboo float has multiple levels and working waterfalls along with lots of exciting characters and iconic costumes."

The queens are excited to see what the fans' reactions will be to the intricate and action-packed floats which not only embody the Star Wars spirit, but also the parade's theme of "Our Good Nature."

"I think these Star Wars floats will bring a freshness to the Rose Parade," Mccalla says. "Just seeing a marching stormtrooper gives me goosebumps and to hear the marching band playing Star Wars themes will be awesome. I'm also really excited to meet so many other hardcore fans who will be marching along with the floats. It's also going to be amazing to get to see the floats up close and personal; if I wasn't doing this I'd be stuck at home watching it on TV."

"Personally, I am looking forward to seeing the pride and excitement in all of the eyes of the fans on New Year's morning and the thrill they will receive as they watch the floats roll by," Moreno smiles. "What other float entry can boast space-traveling Jedi, swinging Ewoks and a howling Chewbacca?" "The imagination behind the whole Star Wars series is part of what has made it so popular. It's strange, and different, and far-out and has a universal appeal to all generations. Star Wars is a classic example of something so visionary that it can't help but takethe world by storm. There truly is nothing else like it and I'm sure Star Wars buffs the world around will be thrilled to see some original costumes from the feature films and to be able to 'bust out' all of the Star Wars trivia!"

"To me, just seeing the costumes again, the Jedi and the Queen's included, brings back the magic that the movies first evoked," Hanashian says. "It almost reminds me of the celebration at the end of Episode I when the parade is held to celebrate the peace treaty in the film -- the excitement, the color, the elaborate costumes all create this surreal atmosphere that the Rose Parade is all about. Of course, the best part of being a queen on the float is simply being a part of this bigger celebration. The Rose Parade itself is about celebrating a New Year, and people coming together to rejoice over the opportunities that the future holds. To be a part of the Star Wars float, within that larger celebration, is to be a part of the memories that so many people have about the Star Wars films."

To get behind-the-scenes moments about being a float queen, read Mccalla's VIP blog here.

Stay tuned to starwars.com for more Rose Bowl Parade coverage.