Lexi Morales, a 22-year-old from Denver, has become a well-known figure at Denver’s FanExpo, thanks to her impressive portrayal of Queen Padmé Amidala from the Star Wars prequels. Each year, Morales dons her intricate costume, complete with a red dress, hoop skirt, and a homemade headpiece, drawing attention from fans eager to capture a photo with her.

Morales’ dedication to her craft is evident in the details of her costume. She meticulously applies layers of light face powder to achieve the character’s iconic matte finish, and she crafted her headpiece using cardboard and craft foam, guided by reference images. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed; in 2023, she received an award for ‘excellent embodiment of a character.’

Joining Galactic Champions

This year marked a significant milestone for Morales as she was invited to join the Galactic Champions, a prestigious costuming group known for its high standards. The group, which provides entertainment at venues like Children’s Hospital, is more accommodating than others, offering Morales support such as 3D printing a new headpiece to help her meet their standards.

Morales appreciates the sense of community that conventions foster. ‘With everything going on in the world, it’s very hard to find common ground with people. But I feel like conventions are a very good place to do that,’ she shared, highlighting the positive environment these events create.

As Morales continues to embrace her role in the cosplaying community, she remains focused on the joy and connection that her passion brings to both herself and others.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.