I met Xena: Warrior Princess - My teenage dream come true!

Today, an off-topic Disney post. I recently fulfilled a teenage dream by attending the A Salute to Xena: 30th Anniversary Convention! Can you believe it's been 30 years since Xena: Warrior Princess raised our warrior spirits with that unforgettable battle cry? I couldn't wait to be part of the celebration and soak in all the Xena magic with some of my favorite people from the show.

This convention was held in the sunny Los Angeles area in 2025, and let me tell you, it was an awesome experience. Let’s dive in! For those of you who don't know who Xena is, the intro to the 1995 TV show might ring a bell.

The legends I got to meet

I knew this was going to be a special weekend, but nothing prepared me for the sheer awesomeness of the guests I got to meet. 

Lucy Lawless (Xena) – What a woman! Lucy was everything I hoped for and more—funny, warm, and completely charming. She radiates the same fierce energy that made Xena such a beloved character. Meeting her was definitely the highlight of my trip. I was a bundle of nerves and excitement, but Lucy made it feel so natural and effortless. She welcomed me with a smile when I told her I was from Holland and visiting for the first time.

Renée O’Connor (Gabrielle) – Renée was just as wonderful as always. When I met her, Renée gave me a thoughtful, almost questioning look, as if she recognized me from somewhere. Later, during the signing session, she even mentioned that she thought she’d seen me before. She’s such a sweet, humble woman.

Brittney Powell (Brunhilda) – Brittney was hilarious and down-to-earth. She also hosted the entire convention in the most energetic and entertaining way. Her lively and engaging presence really kept the energy up throughout the event!

Hudson Leick (Callisto) – Now, Callisto... talk about fierce! Hudson was full of energy, and you could feel the intense presence she brings to that character. She has this amazing ability to make the entire room nervous just by standing still. The moment she did, the whole audience couldn’t help but giggle nervously! Definitely a memorable encounter.

Jennifer Ward-Lealand (Zehra/Bodecia) – Jennifer was so kind and down-to-earth. She told us that while filming for Xena, she had to nurse her baby between takes for her role as Boadicea on set. She shared a lot about her current projects also, including Spartacus. I truly wish I could have met her personally, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance.

Paris Jefferson (Athena) – During the Q&A, Paris answered the questions as best as she could, showing just how much she values her work. She was also a co-host of the karaoke party, alongside Musetta. They both brought so much energy to the night and made it a truly unforgettable experience!

Jacqueline Kim (Lao Ma) – – Jacqueline was elegant and graceful, just like her character. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend her Q&A session because it overlapped with another event, but I was lucky enough to meet her during the signing and photo ops. During signing, she wrote her message for me about peace and love in French, maybe thinking my name suggested I was French! I told her I was Dutch. She asked if I wanted a new photo, but I told her that her message about peace and love applies in every language.

Musetta Vander (Ilainus) – Musetta was another lovely guest to meet. She came across as such a sweet and kind woman. During karaoke, she really got into the spirit, participating in every performance with so much enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to speak with her personally, but her energy was contagious!

Ted Raimi (Joxer) – Ted was signing autographs in the vendors’ room all three days of the convention. He also did photo ops all days and had his Q&A on Sunday. He also joined Lucy and Renée on stage for a little while (for the first time in 30 years, he said).

Adrienne Wilkinson (Eve/Livia/Megaera) – Adrienne spent the entire weekend with a booth in the vendors' room, selling Xena items to raise money for the wildfire victims in Los Angeles from the devastating fires in January. She was selling items for $100 a piece, showing just how caring she is.

Kathryn Morris (Najara) – This was actually Kathryn’s first Xena convention, and many fans were thrilled about it. Some even dressed up as her character, which was so fun to see! Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to speak with her further, but it was great to see her interact with the fans.

Craig Parker (Bellerophon/Cleades/Sarpedon) – Craig was incredibly nice and gave such thoughtful answers to all the fan questions. I really enjoyed hearing about his experience on set and how Lucy and Renée made him feel welcome every single time. His charm was undeniable!

Steven L. Sears (Writer/Producer) – Steven had a ton of amazing stories about the creation and writing of Xena. e had a short conversation about some episodes from season 1 (my personal favorite) and how they seem to come alive like mini-movies.

Timothy Omundson (Eli) – Timothy was an absolute delight. His portrayal of Eli was such a pivotal moment in the series, and it was so cool to hear him talk about how he approached the role. I also knew Timothy from his role as Cain from Supernatural. Timothy is still using a wheelchair due to a stroke he suffered in 2017, but his spirit was as lively as ever. Unfortunately, I missed the chance to take a photo with him, but I did get his autograph, which I’ll always cherish!

Alexandra Tydings (Aphrodite) – Alexandra was absolutely lovely. She was definitely one of my favorites, and it’s amazing to see that she still looks almost exactly the same – she comes across as incredibly friendly and down-to-earth. Unfortunately, I missed her Q&A due to scheduling overlaps, but I’m glad I got to meet her in person for a photo op and autograph!

The special thing about the Xena community

One of the things I really loved about the convention was the sense of community. There’s something special about the Xena fandom that makes everyone feel so welcome. You could easily go on your own, and before you know it, you’re chatting with fellow fans who share your passion. The fans are incredibly friendly, and there's always someone ready to strike up a conversation.

This year, it seemed like there were a lot of newcomers, just like me, who were referred to as virgins (their first convention!). It was fun to be part of that group. At the same time, there were plenty of fans who had been to every single convention since the very first one—these were the old guards, and it was amazing to hear their stories of attending each event over the years.

The activities were also well organized. I was impressed by how smooth everything went, especially the photo op lines. The convention was run efficiently, and you could tell a lot of work had gone into making sure everything flowed smoothly. Huge credit to the organizers for managing such a large-scale event and keeping everything running on time!

Some fun events to remember

The costume contest

One of the highlights of the weekend was the costume contest. I couldn't believe the creativity that fans brought to the table. Some of the costumes were so intricate and detailed that I could barely believe my eyes. From Xena’s iconic armor to Gabrielle’s staff, there was no shortage of talent and passion on display. I’ve never seen such dedication to a fandom in my life!

Karaoke night – International fun!

Now, you know I’m always down for some fun, and karaoke night did not disappoint! People from all over the world came together to belt out their favorite classics. It was a glorious mix of nationalities, accents, and voices—some with real talent and others with just enough courage to give it a shot. I’ll admit, I was in the audience with the biggest smile on my face, cheering everyone on.

The auction – Exclusive Xena merch (and more!)

The auction was another fun event that added some excitement to the weekend. Cool and exclusive Xena merch was up for grabs, along with some other awesome items from shows like Supernatural. It was great seeing fans get into the bidding spirit, but I personally didn’t place any bids myself. Still, it was fun to watch the action unfold!

A teenage dream come true?

All in all, attending this convention was a dream come true in so many ways. As a Xena fan for years, I couldn’t help but feel like I was stepping into a world I’d only ever imagined. Meeting the stars, hearing behind-the-scenes stories, and celebrating a show that has meant so much to me was something I’ll never forget. But let’s be real—there were a few things that didn’t exactly match my expectations.

For starters, I was hoping for a more spectacular introduction to the event. I imagined that the guests would have an intro video or something grand to set the tone, but instead, the announcement felt a bit underwhelming. Brittney Powell, who was hosting the event, introduced things with no real fanfare—no video, no special surprises. It was a little disappointing, especially since I had built up such high hopes for the atmosphere.

However, I want to stress that this was absolutely not due to Brittney’s presentation, as she was spontaneous, engaging, and truly fun to watch. It was just the lack of spectacle that I missed. The only real Xena moment was hearing the iconic soundtrack music playing in the background as we entered the venue, which did bring a small rush of excitement!

The schedule itself was another challenge. There were a lot of overlapping photo ops, Q&A sessions, and signings, which made planning your day a real puzzle. Sometimes, I had to wait for hours before it was my turn, especially since I had the regular weekend ticket (which meant I was always last in line for the photo ops and signings). Patience was definitely required.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was the lack of variety in the merchandise. I was hoping to find more Xena character photos to get signed, but the Creation Entertainment stand mostly offered pictures of the actors themselves. While these were nice and priced reasonably at $8 per print, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I was hoping for more Xena-centric merch, like images of the characters in action, or some cool show memorabilia.

And then there was the fact that it’s been 30 years since Xena was filmed. As much as I love the cast, I could feel the time that’s passed since the show’s heyday. Some of the actors didn’t always remember certain details when answering fan questions—after all, it’s been decades! It was like meeting Xena and the gang, but today, in real life, rather than the characters they once played. And honestly? That was just as exciting, but a bit different than I had imagined.

Despite a few bumps, this convention was still an unforgettable experience. I met amazing people, laughed until my sides hurt, and of course, got to snap some legendary photos with the cast. It was a mix of old memories and new experiences, all wrapped up in a way that I couldn’t have imagined when I was younger. In the end, it wasn’t just about meeting the actors, but about celebrating the show’s legacy and the way it still connects us all today.