Princess Leia is not dead — after all, George Lucas created her character and she will live on despite the person who portrays her in future films. However, she was one special character that Carrie Fisher skillfully played, leaving big shoes for another actress to fill. Is it possible that Princess Leia will die off with her and no longer exist in upcoming movies? Can another person rock her role on the silver screen? Time will only tell.
For now, faithful fans and new generations.both remember the ways they identified with Princess Leia. Many appreciate how she was a tougher princess, as opposed to overly feminized characters like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Others love her unpredictable and spunky nature. Some have taken her death so seriously that they chastised Cinnabon for posting a cute image where they changed one of her hairbuns into a Cinnamon roll.
Americans and others around the world remembered her through different memorials and events. The Los Angeles Times reports that she didn't have her own Hollywood Walk of Fame star, so fans created a special memorial for her and wrote "Carrie Fisher, may the force be with you, always hope." People left cinnamon rolls (a tribute to her unique hairstyle), flowers, and other gifts like bracelets. Instead of a typical candlelight vigil, other fans held a Star Wars style lightsaber vigil in Downtown Disney on Dec. 28. Residents in Tempe Arizona organized a similar event and hosted a memorial walk around Tempe Town Lake on Dec. 30, according to 12News. Up in northern Calif. Americans and international travelers ventured to LucasFilm in San Francisco.
These memorials are not limited to California. The Leijorettes, a majorette fan performance group in New Orleans, held a tribute parade for her. Austin residents in Texas also stood outside the Alamo Draft House and held a moment of silence for Carrie Fisher on Dec. 28.
Others connected very strongly with the character and desired to comfort those feeling sadness over the loss of Princess Leia in unconventional ways. ABC News reports that pizzeria in New York, Champion Pizza, blessed customers dressed as Princess Leia with a whole free pizza because he learned English from watching the "Star Wars" films.
Although most remember Fisher for her role as Princess Leia, several others appreciate her mental health advocacy efforts. The Washington Post reports that she fought drug and alcohol addictions in addition to battling bipolar disorder. Because of her struggles, she fought to end negative stigma associated with mental health and desired to raise mental health awareness.
Even though fans organized events, many also expressed their emotions via social media. Here is a roundup of posts from various platforms that echo the memories and sadness voiced around the world.
Twitter:
Americans aren't the only ones mourning Carrie Fisher's death — others around the world loved the "Star Wars" character just as much.
Street art painting of Carrie Fisher appears on north London pub #streetart #ripcarriefisher #streetart #StarWars https://t.co/fqYYW3kJ6m pic.twitter.com/Mqd2DH9qzD
— Street Art 360 (@StreetArt360)
The Seattle Space Needle created a very colorful commemoration.
RIP #CarrieFisher... #SpaceNeedle beaming lights in tribute to #PrincessLeia tonight in #Seattle. pic.twitter.com/fb5uKl5CO6
This cartoon conveys one of several reasons why fans appreciate Princess Leia.
Cartoon for @TorontoStar #CarrieFisher #princessleia #StarWars https://t.co/9auYLmaRjf pic.twitter.com/WLVV9WYUYH
— Michael de Adder (@deAdder)
Facebook:
The Star Wars official website blog posted this touching tribute to both Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.
The most recent "Star Wars" film's Facebook page posted a video with Fisher's original audition. Watch how the talented actress read lines with Harrison Ford and see how she has developed since then.
Instragram:
Here are five top Instagram posts.
User @kate_trish created this stunning fan art.
A photo posted by Kate Trish (@kate_trish) on
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This outfit user @jhookshot created closely resembles Princess Leia.
A photo posted by Jessica Hook (@jhookshot) on
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A photo with Fisher and her latest book posted after her death.
A photo posted by @carrie.fisher.daily on
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Cosplaying (costume roleplaying) is a popular way to show tribute to any fictional character.
And, of course, we can't forget her hair. Check out these galaxy-inspired buns from user @treelocks.
2016, please stop :'( #rainbowspacebuns #spacebuns #princessleia #princessleiabuns #leia #longhair #verylonghair #verylonghairstyles #longhairdontcare #thighlengthhair #rapunzel #rapunzelhair #hairbun #unicornhair #starwars #starwarsinspired
A photo posted by Trisha Reibelt (@treelocks) on
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Youtube:
YouTuber Stefan Molyneux created an entire podcast about Princess Leia that examines her struggle with drug addiction, her mental health advocacy, relationship with Harrison Ford, and other aspects of her life
Here is an orchestral attribute from BBC Orchestra you can listen to.
Snapchat:
Snapchat created a special filter in light of Fisher's passing. The princess appears at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. The filter appears to only have been available on Wednesday, the day after her passing.
Deviant Art:
Here are two top Deviant Art posts.
1. @Daekazu
This digital and mixed media artwork skillfully meshes Carrie Fisher and her character together. IT also nicely contrasts Fisher's solemn and poised face with Leia's strong, determined expression. The artist maintains a unified color scheme and weaves both hidden shapes and patterns throughout the bottom portion.
This user created their artwork by hand using different media — charcoal, chalk and goldleaf. It turned out beautifully and looks almost like a black-and-white portrait.