Kelly Shine: A Cosplayer’s Journey into Princess Leia

Discovering the Galaxy of Cosplay

Kelly first fell in love with Star Wars at age 6, napping on top of the family's living room carpet as she watched Princess Leia battle Darth Vader with a fearless spirit. But it was not only Leia as a strong woman that held Kelly's attention, but that unique combination of fearlessness, thoughtfulness, and emotionality. Leia could fire a blaster with perfect aim, negotiate with smugglers, and still mourn the destruction of Alderaan.

Years later, Kelly stumbled upon a local comic convention. Wide-eyed she wandered through aisles full of comic books, action figures and costumed devotees. That’s when she saw it—a cosplayer dressed as Princess Leia in the white gown from A New Hope. Kelly was awestruck. The woman wasn't just in a costume; she experienced the spirit of Leia. That was the spark that ignited Kelly’s cosplaying journey.

“I want to do that,” Kelly thought. “I want to bring my favorite character to life.”

The Craftsmanship

Kelly’s first attempt at cosplaying Leia was a labor of love. She started with the classic white gown—a deceptively simple look that turned out to be anything but. Following a search of the local thrift shops for fabric, Kelly got down to business using her grandmother's old sewing machine. The hours spent measuring, cutting, and sewing were as challenging as they were rewarding.

But the gown was just the beginning. The hair—oh, the hair—was an entirely different beast. It wasn't a straight-forward task for a novice working with wigs to get Leia's signature cinnamon-bun look. Kelly laughed at her early attempts, which left her looking more like a lopsided pastry chef than a Rebel leader. She eventually achieved the look with the help of YouTube tutorials and a lot of trial and error.

The final piece was Leia’s blaster. Kelly decided to construct one from the ground up using foam, PVC pipe and black spray paint. It was far from perfect, but holding that blaster completed her transformation.

“Cosplaying Leia isn’t just about the costume,” Kelly says. It's all about the details that make her recognizable and iconic. Every piece tells a story.”

Beyond the Costume

For Kelly, cosplaying as Princess Leia wasn’t just a creative outlet—it was a confidence booster. Kelly identifies herself, on a daily basis, as somewhat shy and introverted. She’s the girl who prefers books over parties and quiet evenings over loud gatherings.

But when she steps into Leia’s boots, everything changes.

“As Leia, I feel powerful,” Kelly explains. “She’s a diplomat, a fighter, and a leader. When I cosplay as her, I channel those traits and feel like I can take on anything.

At conventions, Kelly often finds herself in the spotlight. People halt her in order to get pictures, to admire her costume, and to discuss their common interest in Star Wars. For someone who used to avoid being the center of attention, cosplaying Leia has been transformative.

Fandom Connections and Community

Cosplaying has also brought Kelly into an active and inclusive community. At conventions and online forums, she’s met fellow fans who share her passion for Star Wars and cosplay. She’s joined groups of Rebel cosplayers, participated in charity events dressed as Leia, and even helped new cosplayers learn the ropes.

Kelly enjoyed one of these memories, being part of a Star Wars dressed group to entertain a children's hospital. Dressed as Leia, she joined other cosplayers as they visited kids undergoing treatment. Seeing their eyes light up and hearing them say, “It’s Princess Leia! made every stitch, pin, and spray-painted prop worth it.

“Cosplaying is more than just a hobby,” Kelly says. It’s a means to connect with individuals and cheer others.

The Challenges

Although Kelly's odyssey of becoming Leia the cosplayer has been fulfilling, it has not been easy. Like many cosplayers, she’s faced her share of criticism and misconceptions.

There’s a tendency to assume cosplay just means dressing up, or that it's not of professional standing, Kelly explains. “But anyone who’s tried to sew a gown or build a prop knows how much work goes into it.

Then there’s the issue of gatekeeping within the fandom. Kelly has been alerted of times when some of her knowledge about Star Wars has been challenged only on the basis of her female status.

“It’s frustrating when people quiz you to see if you’re a ‘real fan,’ she admits. However, I tell myself that I don't have to prove to anyone that I love the Star Wars series.

A Form of Self-Expression

For Kelly, cosplaying as Leia is not so much, if anything, something to do with fandom, but is instead a way of self-expression. Through cosplay, she’s found a way to celebrate her favorite character, push her creative boundaries, and step outside her comfort zone.

Leia showed me that you can be strong and kind, courageous and open, Kelly says. “Cosplaying her reminds me of the kind of person I want to be.

Kelly has extended her cosplay list over time, featuring not only Leia's other iterations (e.g., senator of The Phantom Menace, general of The Force Awakens but also other versions of Leia. Each version is a different expression of Leia's character and poses new creative problems.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Kelly’s journey has also inspired others to explore cosplaying. She is a social media whiz, spreading her story, images, videos and tips and tricks, as well as her own journey and process behind the scenes, to the public through social media sites. Her followers—many of whom are aspiring cosplayers—frequently reach out for advice or to share their own creations.

[I] love to see people excited about cosplay," Kelly states. It's awesome to see someone make, for the very first time, their favorite character come to life.

The Legacy

Her admiration for Princess Leia

“Leia’s legacy is timeless,” Kelly says. “She’s a character who’s inspired generations to stand up for what’s right, believe in themselves, and never give up.

Via cosplay, Kelly wants to pay her respects and share the legacy with others. Whether she’s posing for photos at a convention, visiting kids at a hospital, or sewing a new costume late into the night, Kelly Shine is living proof that cosplay is more than just a costume—it’s a celebration of the characters who inspire us and the communities that bring us together.

And as long as there are galaxies to discover and costumes to make, Kelly will journey on as Princess Leia, one braid and blaster at a time.