Slave Revolt

What started out as a joke with the Slave Leia Public Service Announcement (starring Kaley Cuoco) has turned into a massive online bashing targeting Slave Leia cosplayers everywhere.

For those of you visiting my Blog for the first time, my name is Victoria Centeno. I work as a full time preschool teacher and part time model. I have been cosplaying for five years and am known as the "Cosplay Girl". My website (Cosplay Girl http://www.victoriacosplay.com/) has received over one million hits. I was recently named "The Queen of Cosplay" by Axiom Magazine ( http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/08/15/the-queen-of-cosplay-victoria/) and was the subject of the Entertainment Weekly story "Slave Leia: Some Assembly Required" ( http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20399642_20511850_20991188,00.html ). I have also been featured in Latina Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone just to name a few. Ive been reading comics since I was 9 years old and am partial to DC Comics.

I first tried on the metal bikini (actually it was the rubber version made by Rubies) in 2009 at the request of a local radio station I was doing camera work for. While I had the costume on loan I took advantage of the opportunity and took some photos and posted them online. My pictures caught the attention of the right people and I was offered a job as an official Slave Leia model for the 2010 San Diego Comic Con and Star Wars Celebration (which sadly, I had to decline). Return of the Jedi was the only Star Wars film my family owned growing up and my siblings and I watched the VHS on a daily basis. I never thought I would grow up and literally be Princess Leia.  I was more than thrilled to become an official model for Gentle Giant Studios.

Since the Slave Leia PSA there has been a number of articles and Blogs (written mostly by women) crucifying anyone who has worn the metal bikini, labeling it a "problem" and "concern" at conventions. True there are times where there appears to be crowds of Slave Leias but its simply because those women were hired to be there. Things like the Slave Gathering, which takes place every year at the San Diego Comic Con (and have become legendary in addition to being a crowd pleasing event) have lured such celebrities as Olivia Munn and Adrianne Curry. It also receives massive press. One might complain that the metal bikini is too revealing when in fact, it shows as much as a two piece swimsuit at the beach. Ive seen women wear far less in cosplay even going as far as applying nothing but pasties over their bare breasts. Wheres the public outcry to ban those particular costumes at shows? Some may argue that were actually promoting slavery or sex slavery and that Leia was a victim who was sexually abused by Jabba the Hut. Unless theres a version of Return of the Jedi with a deleted rape scene that I missed, those theories and assumptions are best described as laughable. Stick with the facts; yes Leia was a prisoner and forced to wear that outfit as she watched her friends and allies suffer but did she sit there and play victim? No.

This princess waited until the time was right and turned the tables on her captor, killed him and won her freedom. Its convenient that critics fail to recognize Leias accomplishment and bravery because of what shes wearing. Its no different than one women judging another because of the clothes she has on. Im often told by associates that they are surprised at how "nice" or "intelligent" I am for a model. Once again this is an example of stereotyping. People are accusing Leia cosplayers of not being "real" geeks without knowing that womans story or reason for putting the metal bikini on. Fingers are being pointed with accusations of us demeaning ourselves when in fact, we chose to wear it. No one forced us. Heres a life lesson for those who say were offensive; just dont look. To those who say the naysayers deserve to be heard, my response is that I dont deserve to be attacked and judged for the costume I choose to wear. Its just as easy for me to accuse someone of being jealous as it is for someone to accuse me of being an attention whore. We can play the blame game all night people.

How is it that a princess who fought for her friends, beliefs and freedom offends the eye but not the dozens of cosplayers walking around dressed as murderers, thieves and rapists? Are you enraged at the sight of the Green Goblin because he murdered a helpless blonde atop a bridge? Do Joker cosplayers upset you because hes murdered children and paralyzed others? And what about Dr. Light? He raped Enlongated Mans wife on the Watch Tower. With incidents occurring at conventions such as raised ticket prices, the stealing of badges and assaults (such as last years pen stabbing incident at the San Diego Comic Con), youre biggest concern is a woman dressed as Slave Leia? Its time to get your priorities straight, let go of the hate and work on your self esteem.

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