San Diego Comedian-Con is rapidly approaching this summer time, which implies one factor: the annual Her Universe Trend Present is on the way in which! Star Wars fan favourite Ashley Eckstein returns to host the style present for the eleventh 12 months, and she or he will not be alone. Broadway legend Michael James Scott is becoming a member of her on the stage for his third time as co-host, and the 2 longtime mates are embracing Depraved in a giant means for the 2025 occasion, sponsored by Common and opening the door for proficient designers to win a grand prize to advance within the business.
It is also solely the primary of two large collaborations between the duo, and I used to be lucky sufficient to talk with Eckstein about what to anticipate from SDCC’s annual dwelling of “geek couture” with its Common twist in 2025.
Her Universe Trend Present 2025
For those who thought that the style present could not get any larger or brighter after the Mattel partnership in 2024, it’s possible you’ll be in for a shock with what Common and Her Universe are bringing to SDCC this 12 months. The occasion, which takes place on July 24 on the Manchester Grand Hyatt Resort in San Diego, is celebrating the thought of defying trend. Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba would absolutely approve!
After I spoke with Ashley Eckstein, she shared why she was so thrilled to work with Common this 12 months, and I feel any Depraved fan will have the ability to relate. She mentioned:
Common really got here to us and mentioned, ‘Hey, we’re large followers of the present, and we might like to work with you.’ And as quickly as I discovered, I used to be like, ‘Sure! Sure, oh my gosh. Can we please? Can we please do that?’ I am such a fan of Depraved. It is now grow to be considered one of my favourite films of all time, to not point out considered one of my favourite Broadway musicals of all time. I’ve simply had a lot enjoyable attending to play within the sandbox. Our present is sponsored by Common and so the designers can design appears to be like impressed by Common properties. However our theme is Defying Trend, and me and my co-host, Michael James Scott, are actually leaning into Depraved. We won’t wait to share with everybody what we have been arising with.
Seems “impressed by Common properties” means geek couture ensembles that could possibly be impressed by all the pieces from How you can Prepare Your Dragon to something Jurassic, however attendees can possible anticipate to see loads of pink and inexperienced because the co-hosts embrace Depraved forward of Depraved: For Good debuting late within the 2025 new film launch calendar.
And with a Depraved theme, who higher for Ashley Eckstein to have as a co-host than a Broadway vet identified for productions like Aladdin, One thing Rotten, and The Ebook of Mormon, to call only a few? Eckstein opened up about why teaming up with Michael James Scott was a “good match” for Defying Trend and going full Depraved, saying:
It is really an ideal match! Michael, we have had a lot enjoyable co-hosting the present collectively the previous two years, however this 12 months, I imply, to have a Broadway famous person on the stage with me, it actually could not be a greater match. So I am excited. We’re Defying Trend, I imply, in each sense of the phrase. We tried to think about the present with that [approach] of let’s throw out all the principles, throw out all the expectations. What can we do with it? Do we have to use conventional supplies? How ought to we inform this story in our personal means? So we’re excited.
Anyone who’s conversant in the Her Universe Trend Present is aware of that Defying Trend for geek couture will possible go nicely past the sorts of cosplay on full show elsewhere at San Diego Comedian-Con. Ashley Eckstein did not reveal if she or Michael James Scott will lean extra in a Glinda or Elphaba course as co-hosts, however she did promise one factor that needs to be a delight for anyone who enjoys a superb old style musical:
I feel you have come to know if Michael’s on the stage, there shall be singing! So keep tuned for that. We’re nonetheless finalizing particulars, however I am making an attempt to get even somewhat extra singing in there from him. So it is like, ‘Hey, are you able to give us one other tune? How about one other tune?’ [laughs]
The Ahsoka voice actress has opened up previously about why internet hosting the Her Universe Trend present is nerve-wracking to the purpose that it is “probably the most nervous I ever get and most nervous I’m for something, interval.” She solely had good issues to say prematurely of the 2025 occasion, which is able to characteristic designers from throughout the nation competing on the catwalk in pursuit of the grand prize of designing a group with Her Universe.
She went on to reward Michael James Scott in a means that actually establishes why the duo would need to begin their second collaboration this summer time. Eckstein instructed me:
I’m such a proud hype good friend of Michael. You recognize, we have been mates since highschool. As I look again on his Broadway profession now, I imply, he is actually a Broadway famous person. However to see what number of reveals he is accomplished, not solely with Aladdin, which he is accomplished extra reveals because the Genie than another actor within the present. He is now the longest-running Genie, however he is accomplished numerous Broadway reveals. So we’re so fortunate that he’s capable of share his expertise with us once more this 12 months, and I get to share the stage with him.
So, what is that this second venture for Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott? You possibly can depend on a brand new podcast that depends on the friendship that the actress has spoken publicly about since they first co-hosted the Her Universe Trend Present’s Disney occasion in 2023.
Ashley Eckstein And Michael James Scott’s “HypeFriend” Venture
Ashley Eckstein wasn’t kidding when she described herself as “such a hype good friend” of Michael James Scott, with their new weekly podcast actually referred to as HypeFriend! The 2 childhood buddies are aiming to start out a “friendship revolution” with episodes delving into what makes a real good friend. As you may anticipate from two individuals who have labored throughout showbiz and closely with Disney over time, they’ve loads of mates to usher in as friends who listeners will possible acknowledge.
The truth is, within the first three episodes which are obtainable on July 11, you may depend on voice actor Bret Iwan – a.okay.a. the official voice of Mickey Mouse – and Andrew Levitt, higher often called Nina West from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Eckstein really co-hosted the Her Universe Trend Present with Nina West again in 2022, sharing the story of how she “slid into Nina’s DMs” again within the day.
Segments of the podcast embody “Hypes & Gripes,” “Good Gossip,” “Ashley Bakes,” and “Neighbor Drop-In” with friends. To advertise – or maybe I ought to say hype – the podcast, Michael James Scott mentioned:
Ashley’s over right here supplying you with the recipe for friendship—and I’m the good friend who reveals up, in a FIERCE outfit, able to eat the cake, even when it’s burnt. And with Ashley’s baking, you by no means know! Truthfully, doing a podcast with my lifelong bestie the place we overshare and chortle too loud? That’s my love language. HypeFriend is sort of a large, glittery group hug however with jazz fingers.
The primary three episodes can be found now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. If you are going to be in San Diego to attend the style present at SDCC on July 24, you may also verify again in with Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott on July 25 after they tape a dwell after-show on the Neil Morgan Auditorium of the San Diego Central Library.
As for the Her Universe Trend Present, the occasion with its Depraved theme takes place on Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m. PT within the Seaport Ballroom on the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, with wristband distribution beginning that morning at 10 a.m. PT. The occasion is free to attend, and SDCC badges are usually not required. This would be the trend present’s first 12 months in an even bigger venue, and it is a protected guess that it will be a full home.