Eckstein encourages showing off fandom
Ashley Eckstein may not be a household name, but the actress has handled some of the biggest characters in pop culture. She voiced Dagger on the show “Ultimate Spider-Man,” was both Cheetah and Catwoman on “DC Super Hero Girls” and originated one of the biggest fan favorite characters in the Star Wars universe, Ahsoka Tano.
Since 2008, Eckstein has voiced the standout character in the Star Wars series “The Clone Wars” and then in “Star Wars: Rebels,” which ended its run in March. Born in Kentucky but raised in Orlando, the voice actress launched a clothing line called Her Universe. The brand focuses on pop culture and fandom fashions targeting primarily girls and women.
Eckstein, 36, has added writing to her resume as well with the book “It’s Your Universe: You Have the Power to Make It Happen.” Part autobiography and part journal, the book launches today, with Eckstein signing copies at an Orlando Barnes & Noble (7-9 p.m., 2418 E. Colonial Drive, free, 407-894-6024).
Via email, Eckstein talked about her book, how she an Ahsoka are alike and what makes Orlando a great place to be a Star Wars fan. Questions have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: What makes fandom empowering?
Answer: Showing off your fandom is so empowering because being a fan of something is a part of your identity! It’s showing off a side of yourself and your personality. Fandom for Star Wars is just like being a fan of a sports team! Since Star Wars fans don’t have a game to attend, Star Wars Day is like our Super Bowl!
Q: How does your personal story cross with Ahsoka’s?
A: My personal life has mirrored Ahsoka’s in many ways, but I think the most notable way is how Ahsoka inspired me to create Her Universe. … She was the first female Jedi that was a lead character in the Star Wars Universe. I personally believe that Ahsoka’s powerful presence in Star Wars paved the way for more strong female characters in Star Wars and more acceptance for female Star Wars fans. When I saw that there was a major need for a company like Her Universe to exist, I didn’t exactly know how I was going to make it happen, but someone needed to speak up for female Star Wars fans because at the time, Star Wars was deemed a property just for men and boys. I asked myself, “What would Ahsoka do?” The answer I came up with was that Ahsoka would stand up for female Star Wars fans and spread the message that Star Wars was for everyone, so that’s what I did.
Q: What makes Orlando a good town for fans?
A:
Orlando is an amazing town for Star Wars fans and always has been ever since Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened Star Tours! Hollywood Studios has always been my go-to place to immerse myself in Star Wars ever since I was a little girl growing up in Orlando. There are very few cities where you can say that you can go meet Darth Vader, take a picture on a speeder bike, see a giant AT-AT and visit Endor all in the same day!
Q: What sort of lessons do you hope people draw from your book?
A: My book is a guide or road map on how to make your dreams come true. I’ve broken the process of achieving your dreams down into steps. Thanks to the influence and inspiration of Disney, I believed that I could dream it and do it! After reading and participating with my interactive story, my book is like a journal too, I hope the reader with believe that anything is possible and that they have the power to make their dreams come true too!