Billie Lourd Wears Princess Leia Dress to Pay Tribute to Late Mother Carrie Fisher at 'Star Wars' Celebration
Carrie Fisher's iconic legacy lives on.
The late actress, who portrayed Princess Leia in the Star Wars saga, was honored in a fitting tribute during a special celebration for the 40th anniversary of Star Wars in Orlando, Florida on Thursday.
Her daughter Billie Lourd surprised the audience with a special appearance, wearing a custom Tom Ford dress, nearly identical dress to that worn by Fisher in Episode IV.
Before presenting a video tribute, Lourd took a moment to talk about her mother, who she says, "was never afraid to speak her mind," adding, "Star Wars became our family, our religion, our way of life... She loved you."
She then shared a lesson her mother taught her: "If life isn't funny, then it's just true, and that is unacceptable."
Before exiting the stage, she also recited the message Princess Leia sent to Obi-Wan Kenobi:
Watch the video tribute, below.
Director George Lucas was also on hand to pay tribute to Fisher.
"She was the boss. It was her war and when I cast it, I said I want somebody young to play the part. I want somebody very young. When Carrie came in, she was that character," Lucas said. "She was very strong, very smart, very funny, very bold, very tough, and there really wasn't much of a question. There are not very many people like her. They are one in a billion. For this particular part, it was absolutely perfect … she wore a dress through the whole thing, but she was the toughest in the group."
"She was brilliant and obviously we will all miss her, but she will always be the princess who took command and never backed down. Never was in jeopardy. She was always helping the other guys get out of the messes she created. We'll all love her forever and ever," Lucas conclude.
EXCLUSIVE: A Look Back on Carrie Fisher and Billie Lourd's Cutest On-Camera Moments
The tribute concluded with Star Wars composer John Williams taking center stage, accompanied by the Orlando Philharmonic orchestra. He conducted Princess Leia’s theme from the saga, leaving many in the audience stunned, silent and in tears.
For more on Fisher, watch the video below.
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