When it comes to celebrity deaths, 2016 has been a stinker. We’ve lost everyone from David Bowie to Prince, it’s hard not to feel abandoned by a year that also gave us Trump and Brexit. Just when we thought we were over the worst of it, we lose gay icon George Michael, popular author Richard Adams, and TV’s favourite Nana Liz Smith.

While we aren’t saying that the aforementioned losses don’t ache, we are completely devastated by the loss of Carrie Fisher – the iconic writer, feminist, mental health advocate, and sci-fi legend. The superstar sadly lost her life yesterday following complications with a recent heart attack. Born to the famed Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, Carrie Fisher had a career spanning decades. Her work involved writing, acting, and producing and more, shimmering with utter perfection for the six decades of her life.

“Carrie Fisher was one of the best parts of Star Wars, portraying an awesome female character who was brave, tenacious, and wouldn’t crack under pressure. Her passing is a tremendous loss to the world. She will be sorely missed.” – Graham Osborne

Her most famed role was Princess Leia in the acclaimed Star Wars cinema series, wrapping up with Episode VIII just moments before her death. Her first moments on screen was a young princess shooting (in vain) for freedom when her ship was boarded by Imperial Forces and Darth Vader. The latter villain is one of the more ruthless in the series (and, on a note, also her father,) and she is defiant constantly around him. Never once has Leia quaked in her absolution, that the fascist regime of the Empire had to be stopped no matter the sacrifice. This continued as the series aged, seeing her struggling forward in strife for the greater good. Fisher played her with ease, imbuing her personality into this regal character so rigorous, sarcastic, and adventurous in her stance. It became an iconic role, one that would continue to follow Fisher around and one that we all remember her for.

“Carrie Fisher was a legend in every sense of the word; she made film history and defined one of Sci-Fi’s greatest characters, who will never be replaced. She is an inspiration to young women everywhere, and her stamp on film history will never fade”- Robbie Jones.

Fisher’s career would progress beyond her Star Wars years. She would star in When Harry Met Sally, Shampoo, and Drop Dead Fred as well as recent films and shows such as Catastrophe, Maps to the Stars, and Entourage. Beyond her acting, Carrie Fisher was a “script doctor.” She would help develop movies including Sister Act, The Wedding Singer, and my personal favourite, Hook. 

Her writing would flourish into hard-hitting yet droll autobiographical novels such as Wishful Drinking and Post Cards from the Edge. She would channel this into one woman shows that she’d perform.

“Inspiring for her brutal honesty on Hollywood sexism and mental health/addiction issues She’s a real one of a kind and her loss is great.” – Jennifer Drewett.

Her personal life was strewn all over the tabloids and gossiped about for years. The substance abuse and her mental illness were regularly spoken about as many tried to bring her down. But Carrie Fisher took charge of this and owned it for herself. Diagnosed bipolar, Fisher always spoke candidly about her experiences and used her platform to help others. Never shying away from the truth, that mental illness is a battle, Fisher would hilariously, humorously, and honestly open up about her suffering in aid of keeping the conversation alive.  With this, Fisher has inspired many to keep moving forward, to run against the pressure, and, no matter how bad it gets, to keep going, with a smile and enough sass to fight back.

“Pop culture has lost one of its most legendary icons today.” – Elliot Baker

Perhaps this is something we should’ve written when she was alive, I wish she could have seen the ripple that her life had on generations and generations of people. She inspired people to speak out about mental illness, a constant battle she was embroiled in. She staunchly proved that she gave little to zero fucks about how she should present herself  and fought for the rights of women everywhere.

Carrie Fisher’s death hits us hard today as she was a beacon of hope for us all: A rebellion leader, a general, a princess, a comedian, a writer, and a true legend for us all.

Carrie Fisher – drowned in moonlight, strangled by her own bra.