A Dream Day in Japan

Host Kristin Baver welcomes Ashley Eckstein, the original voice of Ahsoka Tano, to the stage. Eckstein describes the event as a dream day, noting that Star Wars Celebration is her favorite event, Japan is one of her favorite places in the world, and she had just announced that she is returning to voice Ahsoka in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.

Ahsoka Lives in All of Us

Baver asks why fans gravitate so strongly toward Ahsoka. Eckstein explains that because Ahsoka has been around for an entire generation, many fans discovered Star Wars and experienced The Clone Wars through the character’s eyes. She repeats her favorite phrase: Ahsoka lives in all of us.

A Responsibility for the Next 50 Years

Eckstein speaks about how seriously she takes her role within the fandom, explicitly calling Anthony Daniels her inspiration. With the 50th anniversary of Star Wars approaching in 2027, Eckstein expresses her desire to be an ambassador like him and carry the franchise forward for the next 50 years. She also emphasizes that the franchise is a universal language.

Dancing with the Clone Wars Family

Baver brings up the fun dance videos Eckstein frequently posts with her Clone Wars co-stars at conventions. Eckstein credits her found family, including Matt Lanter, James Arnold Taylor, and Dee Bradley Baker, for always being willing to participate. She reveals the only rule is that the videos must be done in one take. Baver and Eckstein then launch into an impromptu dance party on the Celebration stage.

Her Universe

The conversation touches on Her Universe, the fashion brand Eckstein launched at Celebration in 2010. She highlights how the brand has expanded beyond its original scope of providing clothing for female fans, launching the Our Universe sub-brand to provide apparel for men, boys, and unisex styles.

A Message of Hope and Connection

Eckstein uses her platform to address the loneliness epidemic, reminding fans they are never truly alone. She leads the audience in a grounding exercise, asking them to close their eyes, breathe, and chant “I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.”

A Birthday Tribute

Before leaving the stage, Eckstein pays tribute to a fan named Miranda, who recently passed away. Noting that Miranda’s parents were in the audience and that today would have been her 22nd birthday, Eckstein leads the audience in shouting Happy Birthday to Miranda.