Sei Taria

Sei Taria was a human who served as an aide to Finis Valorum during his time as Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Under Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, Taria lost her position to Sly Moore in spite of her posterior attempt to join Palpatine. Taria was a committed and dedicated individual and it was rumored that Moore threatened her with blackmail to get her to step down.

Biography[]

Aide to the Chancellor[]

Sei Taria was a human^[1] who served as Chief Administratie Aide^[4] in the Office of the Chancellor to Finis Valorum during his time as Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic and its Galactic Senate. After the Trade Federation invaded the planet Naboo in 32 BBY,^[5] Valorum called a special session of the senate so that Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo could speak before the senate on behalf of her people. During the session, Taria sat to Valorum's left in the Chancellor's podium in the center of the Galactic Senate Building on the Republic capital of Coruscant.^[2]

After Naboo's Senator Sheev Palpatine began speaking before the senate and accused the Trade Federation of invading, the federation's Senator Lott Dod quickly spoke up and objected to the claim. Taria and^[2] Vice Chair of the Senate,^[3] Mas Amedda, then stood up from their seats beside Valorum as the Supreme Chancellor cut off Dod so that Palpatine could continue. Amidala then repeated the accusation, but she too was interrupted by objections from Dod, who demanded a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth, which Senator Aks Moe of Malastare supported.^[2]

Aide No Moore[]

Valorum began to respond, but was interrupted by Amedda whispering in his ear as Taria looked over to watch. Valorum then looked to the aide, who nodded, before the Supreme Chancellor asked Amidala if she would defer until the commission could be appointed. Amidala refused and called for a Vote of No Confidence in Valorum, leading to uproar in the Senate. Taria and a deflated Valorum then took their seats as Amedda called for order.^[2]

The vote removed Valorum from office, and Palpatine was soon elected as his replacement.^[2] When Valorum was ousted, Taria also lost her position and was replaced by the Umbaran Sly Moore despite attempts to join Palpatine,^[1] although some whispered that Moore must have threatened the committed and dedicated Taria with blackmail in order to persuade her to give up the post.^[3]

Behind the scenes[]

"I had a walk-on role for a major film—Star Wars, Phantom Menace, as Sei Taria (Assistant to the Chancellor of the Universe—Chancellor Valurom [sic]—Terence Stamp) Director: George Lucas."

―Kamay Lau^[6]

Kamaylauisseitaria — Unreleased photos of Sei Taria can be found on Kamay Lau's website.

Taria was played by British actress Kamay Lau in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, the first installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.^[6] Lau's scene was filmed in front of a bluescreen at Leavesden Studios, England.^[7] Lau's profile on the talent directory website starnow calls Taria the "Assistant to the Chancellor of the Universe", and includes two promotional photos of the character that have never been used in an official Star Wars product.^[6]