Credit: Lucasfilm (ITM screenshot)
During the official launch of Star Wars: The High Republic on January 4, Krystina Arielle was announced as the new host of the The High Republic Show, a bimonthly web series that will feature all the latest stories, news and special announcements related to Lucasfilm’s latest publishing initiative.
You can watch the full Upper Republic live broadcast with writers Charles Soule, Claudia Gray and below:
Related: Fans are excited about the release of ‘Star Wars: The High Republic’
Unfortunately, Krystina has faced some online reaction due to comments she previously made about racism and social justice in the United States.
O Star Wars community, however, has defended its latest addition, with the official Star Wars Twitter account and several others who worked with the new Upper Republic host expressing their support on social media. In fact, the hashtag #IStandWithKrystina has been trending on Twitter.
Yesterday, Star Wars posted:
Our Star Wars community is a community of hope and inclusion. We do not advocate bullying and racism. We support @KrystinaArielle.
Our Star Wars community is a community of hope and inclusion. We do not advocate bullying and racism. We support @KrystinaArielle.
– Star Wars (@starwars) January 23, 2021
Related: The Age of the High Republic could have saved Anakin Skywalker
With over 37,000 likes, the post was widely well received by followers.
Anthony Carboni, Lucasfilm Emmy-winning presenter Star Wars Show, also tweeted support for his new colleague, writing to his followers:
Hello. @ Krystinaarielle rules. She is a wonderful addition to the Star Wars family and I am very excited that she brings us updates on all the good news from the High Republic. Go say hi and welcome him today, okay?
Hi. @krystinaarielle rules. She is a wonderful addition to the Star Wars family and I am excited that she is bringing us updates on all the good news from the High Republic. Go say hi and welcome him today, okay? ♥ ️
– Anthony Carboni (@acarboni) January 22, 2021
Critical role host, Matthew Mercer, who also worked with Krystina expressed his support, writing:
There are few as smart, damn and wonderful as @KrystinaArielle, and anyone who tries to get into your ring knows that we are right next to her.
There are few as bright, tough and totally wonderful as @KrystinaArielle, and anyone who tries to get into your ring will know better that we’re right next to her.
– Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) January 22, 2021
Related: First look at Young Yoda in ‘Star Wars: The High Republic’
Fans also turned to social media to express support not only for Krystina, but for all women in the Star Wars franchise. Mariana Gutierrez simply posted two impactful hashtags:
#IStandWithKrystina
#IStandWithWomenOfTheGalaxy
#IStandWithKrystina#IStandWithWomenOfTheGalaxy 💕
– 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑮𝒖𝒕𝒊é𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒛 (@ MarianaPaolaGu1) January 23, 2021
Erin Foley-Chan posted a screenshot of the #IStandWithKrystina trend on Twitter in the United States. She captioned the post:
Tweeting that racism is bad makes racists VERY angry. #IStandWithKrystina #VerifyKrystina
Tweeting that racism is bad makes racists VERY angry. #IStandWithKrystina #VerifyKrystina pic.twitter.com/xP4ZflX3X3
– Erin Foley-Chan (@erinfoleychan) January 23, 2021
The latest from Krystina Arielle Star Wars-centric post was positive, promoting “This Week in Star Wars” with Kristin Baver. She wrote:
There is so much good news packed in #this semanainstarwars! Hit play and let @KristinBaver bring you all the joy of Star Wars! (And there’s a little cameo for you).
There is so much good news packed in #thisweekinstarwars ! Press play and leave @KristinBaver bring you all the joy of Star Wars! (And it has a small cameo, honestly😉). https://t.co/SE1SXuyXUS
– Krystina Arielle 🦖 (@KrystinaArielle) January 21, 2021
Related: Can Marvel’s Feige bring strength back to ‘Star Wars’?
Diversity has been around for a long time Star Wars universe. A prime example is actor Billy Dee Williams making his mark as Lando Calrissian in the original trilogy over 40 years ago – and continuing to reprise the character now!
For those who are not familiar with what is to come High Republic Show, Wookieepedia offers an entry that will be updated as new details come to light.
Are you excited to watch Krystina Arielle officially enter the Star Wars universe?