Movies

Young Leia actress opens up about pressure of playing the iconic Star Wars princess

BBG News

Taking on the part of Obi-Wan Kenobi is no easy task for any actor, yet for Vivian Lyra Blair, the responsibility of meeting fan expectations and continuing Carrie Fisher’s legacy proved nearly overwhelming.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must confess that the Obi-Wan Kenobi series took me by surprise when it delved into the life of a young Princess Leia Organa instead of a young Luke Skywalker. This unexpected shift was something that was tricky to keep under wraps during production. In the backstage chaos, the young actress chosen to embody a 10-year-old Leia Organa had to grapple with the immense weight of anticipation.

According to ScreenRant, in an interview with More Than You See, Vivien Lyra Blair openly discussed her fear as a 9-year-old taking on a franchise with devoted fans. Blair shared her feelings about portraying Leia Organa, a character closely associated with the late Carrie Fisher. In essence, Blair admitted she was “very scared.

To avoid tarnishing her memory in any way, I found myself filled with immense fear, and I must admit, that fear still lingers within me. Even during interviews, I often find myself trembling at the thought of saying something incorrect. Unfortunately, this has happened before; there was a recent incident where a clip from an interview I gave was taken out of context, leading to many people holding a negative opinion of me.

Three years have passed since “Kenobi” was released, and Blair is still a child, which makes it worrying to learn about the impact it has had on her. She appears overly familiar with online hostility, indicating the need for protection. It’s crucial to provide extra attention to all young stars entering a franchise. The young actor who played Young Anakin Skywalker, Jake Lloyd, faced similar harsh criticism. While internet trolling wasn’t as prevalent back then, critics heavily criticized Lloyd’s performance, and some fans held him responsible for ruining Darth Vader and Anakin forever.

Apart from the bullying and severe criticism, Lloyd faced additional challenges, such as his struggle with schizophrenia. His mother, Lisa Lloyd, disclosed this personal aspect of her son’s life, including his diagnosis and treatment for the condition. Although Lloyd is doing better now, it was reported that he received death threats in the months following the release of The Phantom Menace, as stated by actor Daniel Logan who played young Boba Fett.

In January 1999, before the release of “Episode I”, director Ron Howard criticized an unflattering article by Nancy Cooper in Newsweek about Jake Lloyd’s performance. In his response letter, Howard stood up for Jake, pointing out that despite being just nine years old, he was fully aware and capable of understanding and feeling embarrassed by such a harsh critique.

Just like Lloyd, Blair continues to feel apprehensive about uttering remarks that could potentially upset devotees of a series that predates her own existence by a considerable margin.

I find it consistently unsettling to maintain this vast fanbase whose approval I feel compelled to win. This isn’t just a group that has followed me since my birth, but one that has been around even longer – since my parents were born. The size of the fandom is so significant that being connected to the film series they idolize is truly terrifying.

It seems that Blair has had a blend of positive and challenging experiences, yet we wish only the best for her as she continues on a prosperous and joyful journey. With all the affection, encouragement, and backing from family, friends, and admirers, we hope to shield her from any long-term mental health struggles. We can’t help but imagine that Carrie Fisher would have admired Blair’s portrayal of a young Princess Leia, as she was both talented and compassionate herself. Knowing how supportive Fisher was, I’m confident she would advocate for Blair whenever possible. Lastly, let us remember that Fisher wouldn’t condone any harsh words directed towards a child who has given her all in her performances.

Let’s take note of the hardships experienced by actors such as Jake Lloyd, Hayden Christensen, Ahmed Best, and Daisy Ridley due to bullying in Star Wars, and let’s make a commitment to eradicate this negativity permanently.

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2025-07-19 22:05

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