Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545089
14 SUMMER 2026 several rounds of research and development with input from the late Costume Designer, Shawna Trpcic, and the original creator of Ahsoka's character, Dave Filoni. "Oh, no, we want the diamonds this way. Oh, we want it bigger, smaller. I made so many of them." Upon grasping the magnitude of having contributed to the legacy of Star Wars, as well as being first- generation film industry in her family and a woman of color, Tanya admits, "I'm a fan myself and I'm one of the people that helped not just Ahsoka become an animated thing to live action, but several characters do that. And I was a part of that, and one of the few in this era that managed to do it. It blows my mind, and I got to work on it for so long. I'm blessed, I'm happy and I just love it. They were hard shows, but it was rewarding. A lot of us are still really good friends to this day because we spent so much time together." In what might be my favorite tidbit of all, Tanya reveals that after working on the movie The Mandalorian and Grogu, she got to keep her workroom table. "I signed it when I left: 'Tanya was here,' and then I put all the shows I worked on. I had that table for years. It's in my garage now." Knowing that her Star Wars experience is something that can't be replicated, Tanya still looks forward to her next "epic" project. Her most recent credits include taking her back to space with the space suits on 9-1-1 with fellow Lucas Film alumna Elissa Alcala, and a variety of live television shows, including The Voice, and Star Search that fit right into her theatrical wheelhouse of dancers and sparkle. When not working on a show, Tanya can be found "last-looking" Cosplayers at conventions, living up to her personal mission statement, "Our goal as a Costume Department, as a team, is to make everyone look the best that they can be." And no matter where she is, Tanya Apuya is doing just that.