StarWars.com is known for putting a spotlight on some of the franchise’s biggest and most unique fans. This week, the website introduced the Star Wars fandom to Mexican cosplayer Momo Naberrie, who combined her Latina culture with her favorite Star Wars character, Padmé Amidala from 1999’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
In her version, Naberrie transforms Padmé into La Catrina, one of the iconic symbols for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexican culture. She’s named the combined character Catrinas Amidala.
“Día de los Muertos is my favorite Mexican holiday,” Naberrie tells StarWars.com. “It’s a happy celebration. We believe that on that day our loved ones who passed away come to visit us, so all the decorations you can see in this celebration are colorful, cheerful and vibrant!”
Naberrie says La Catrina and Padmé have a lot in common, including the “beautiful, ornamental and extravagant gowns” that both are known for wearing.
“We can consider both of them as fashionistas, for sure!” she says. “So, when the celebration was near, I had this idea: why not try to make a union between these two things I love a lot? I’m so glad to be able to add this part of my culture to Star Wars. It’s a way I can share part of my beautiful culture and also share my big love for Star Wars with the world.”
Naberrie, who was born and raised in Mexico and lives there now, was recently featured in a popular cosplay magazine. She hopes her contribution to the Star Wars galaxy reaches more people through other outlets and her Instagram page.
“I can share with people from other countries the story behind this celebration and the story of the Catrina herself,” she says. “It has also served to create a bond of belonging with all those people who were born in another country, but their roots are Mexican, and for me that is priceless.”