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In a galaxy far, far away....
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Gaya

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"Who do you think you are, Gaya herself?"
"Who's Gaya?"
"One of the biggest stars in the galaxy!"
―Katlock and Julen Rakab[3]

Gaya was a Twi'lek[2] female singer who rose to the heights of a galactic superstar during the First Order-Resistance War.[3] She was a highly skilled performer who commanded respect and attention from those she met. With her musical career opening many doors, the superstar took every opportunity to aid the Twi'lek people, who were historically oppressed and exploited. She was even willing to work with the criminal underworld if doing so would give her an advantage.[4]

At some point, Gaya was contracted to give a concert aboard the MPO-1400 Purgill-class star cruiser Halcyon, where she encountered aspiring Togruta musician Sandro Alimander, who held her in high regard.[4] While performing on the ship she was accompanied by the Rodian keyboardist Ouanni.[5] Her signature song was "Oola Shuka," which was played at Oga's Cantina in the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu.[6]

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Behind the scenes[]

Gaya concept Matyas

Concept art of Gaya by Brian Matyas

The concept for the ultimately canceled Kalikori Club venue intended for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge included a Twi'lek proprietor and performer named Gaya, who also had secret ties to the underworld. These character traits were later given to Oga Garra, owner of Oga's Cantina.[7] One of the songs played at Oga's Cantina since the opening of Galaxy's Edge was credited to a character named Gaya.[6]

Early press information for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, an upcoming hotel and entertainment experience set to open in 2022 at the Walt Disney World Resort, mentioned a "galactic superstar" that would perform at the hotel.[8][4] According to audition material posted by The Walt Disney Company, Gaya was classified as a mezzo-soprano, with a musical style described as a "neo-soul, jazzy, funk" hybrid.[4] The audition form suggested that applicants for the role perform the song "Abracadabra" by Judith Hill.[9]

Concept art labeled "Gaya" was included in the book The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge with two pieces of artwork in the section dedicated to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, though it did not confirm that she was the still-unnamed female Twi'lek entertainer that would appear at that hotel.[7] Artist Brian Matyas posted the art to Instagram referring to Gaya as a "vocalist in a band that would play in the park and in the hotel."[10] A presentation that was part of Disney's Destination D23 event on November 20, 2021 confirmed that Gaya was the performer at the hotel and revealed a photo of the character.[11] A promotional video released on November 28 featured an actress dressed as Gaya performing aboard the Halcyon.[2]

Appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

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  1. ↑ StarWars Dispatches from the Halcyon: Meet the Characters Aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser on StarWars.com (backup link)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 YouTube Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Early Look With Walt Disney Imagineering on the Disney Parks YouTube channel (content now obsolete; backup link)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Crash of Fate
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Actors for Star Wars™: Galactic Starcruiser on jobs.disneycareers.com: "Seeking an actor/vocalist with strong improvisational abilities to portray our Galactic Superstar. Character portrayed is a Twi'lek (30s-40s) who commands respect and flame-roses at her feet. Operating in a legally-dubious world of galactic intrigue while fighting for her race's integrity and freedom, she is also a phenomenally soulful singer who demands focus in every conversation and performance alike. Her vocal range is preferably that of a Mezzo Soprano and her musical style is a hybrid of neo-soul, jazzy, funk, colored by her extensive travel and experiences." (archived from the original on May 17, 2021)
  5. ↑ Star Wars: Datapad (Galactic Starcruiser)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Oga's Cantina: R-3X's Playlist #1
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  8. ↑ DPB-Logo Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Launches in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort on the Disney Parks Blog (backup link)
  9. ↑ ABRACADABRA- Judith Hill (PDF) on cdn.media.disneyauditions.com (archived from the original on May 17, 2021)
  10. ↑ Instagram-Logo Brian Matyas (@brianmatyas) on Instagram: Gaya sketch: "Gaya sketch for Star Wars Galaxy's Edge/Galactic Starcruiser featured in the Art of Galaxy's Edge book. Vocalist in a band that would play in the park and in the hotel." (content obsolete and backup link not available)
  11. ↑ PHOTOS: Meet Gaya, the 'Galactic Superstar' Who Will Perform on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser on WDW News Today (archived from the original on November 20, 2021)
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