We’ve all seen that iconic moment in Return of the Jedi—Princess Leia in the famous (or infamous) metal bikini, chained to Jabba the Hutt.
It’s one of those scenes that’s etched into Star Wars history, but over the years, it’s sparked a lot of debate.
Some see it as an empowering symbol of Leia’s strength, while others argue it was unnecessary objectification.
I’ll admit, I used to wonder about that myself. Why put Leia, such a strong and independent character, in something so revealing?
Then I stumbled across Carrie Fisher’s own words on the matter, and honestly, it made me appreciate her wit and perspective even more.
First, let’s get one thing straight—Fisher herself wasn’t exactly thrilled about the costume.
It was uncomfortable, and she had to maintain a stiff posture to avoid creases in the metal.
As she explained in an interview, “I had to sit very straight because I couldn’t have lines on my sides, like little creases. No creases were allowed, so I had to sit very, very rigid straight.”
But what really stood out to me was her response to parents who were upset about the message the bikini might send to kids.
Instead of brushing it off, Fisher turned the narrative on its head with her trademark wit.
She suggested parents explain it like this: “A giant slug captured me and forced me to wear that stupid outfit, and then I killed him because I didn’t like it.”
That right there is why Carrie Fisher was so beloved. She took what could’ve been a moment of controversy and flipped it into a story of resilience and triumph.
Leia wasn’t just a damsel in distress in that scene—she literally choked Jabba the Hutt with the very chains he used to imprison her.
So, if you ever feel conflicted about the “metal bikini,” just remember Carrie Fisher’s take. She made sure we understood that Leia wasn’t defined by what she wore but by what she did.