From Oola to Author: Femi Taylor's Remarkable Second Act
2025
Media & Press Kit
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Short Biography
150 WordsFemi Taylor is a Nigerian-born British dancer and actress best known for her iconic role as Oola in the 1983 Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. She is uniquely recognized as the only original performer to reprise her role for the 1997 Special Edition. Beyond the galaxy, Femi originated the role of Tantomile in the 1981 original London production of Cats and later appeared in the 1998 film version as 'Exotica', a character created specifically for her. A graduate of the London School of Contemporary Dance and The Alvin Ailey School, Femi is now an accomplished author, sharing her remarkable journey of art and resilience.
Standard Biography
350 WordsNigerian-born performer and writer Femi Taylor is best known to Star Wars fans worldwide as Oola in Return of the Jedi, a role she uniquely reprised 14 years later for the 1997 Special Edition. George Lucas famously insisted that if Femi could no longer fit into her original costume, the character would need to be recreated digitally.
Femi began her professional career at just 17 in the West End production of Bubbling Brown Sugar before becoming an original London cast member of Cats. Her extensive theatre credits also include Little Shop of Horrors, The Wiz, Buddy, and Jesus Christ Superstar. On screen, she has appeared in films including Playing Away, Flirting, Top Secret!, and the independent feature A Kink in the Picasso.
Having lived and worked across the UK and Australia, Femi now brings her lifelong passion for performance and storytelling to the page through deeply personal writing exploring artistry, identity, resilience, and the journey of returning to oneself.
Recent Coverage
Press features and interviews about Femi's career and book.
The Star Wars Performer Who Never Aged On Screen
2024
Cats Legend Returns to Tell Her Story
2024
Inside the Special Edition Recall
2023
“Femi Taylor brings a rare authenticity to every conversation — her story resonates far beyond the Star Wars fandom.”
“A performer who has mastered reinvention without losing the magic of her origins.”
Media Inquiries Welcome
Interview requests, press kits, and high-resolution assets available for accredited media.