Go go meet some Power Rangers at Cincinnati Comic Expo! Here's what you need to know
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“Go go Power Rangers!” If you have children, there is a good chance that you've heard that song while your kids watched the TV show “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” And you might hear it again in person this weekend, as Karan Ashley – who played Aisha Campbell, the second Yellow Power Ranger – is coming to Cincinnati for the Cincinnati Comic Expo.
Ashley was born in Odessa, Texas, and began her entertainment career singing in a group named K.R.U.S.H. from ages 12 to 18. She studied formal ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop classes. Her dancing skills later changed her life.
“Two months after K.R.U.S.H. ended, I auditioned for Power Rangers. I had just graduated high school. I went to an open-call audition. And there were probably 5,000 people in line. I had never heard of Power Rangers. I waited for hours to get my chance,” Ashley said. “And once I got my chance to go in there, I had about 30 seconds to impress the casting director, and luckily, I did. You had to be either a dancer, a martial artist or a gymnast. And I was a dancer. I just danced.”
Ashley landed the role of Aisha Campbell and moved to Los Angeles, where she still lives. She replaced the first Yellow Power Ranger, Thuy Trang, portrayed by Trini Kwan, who left the show – and sadly died in 2001 in a car crash. Ashley played the role from 1994 to 1996.
Ashley’s favorite Yellow Power Ranger quote is “It’s time to boogie with the bear” from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.” She says her favorite nemesis on the show was Rita Repulsa.
Ashley worked on many other projects after she left “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” She co-wrote and starred in the 2005 film “Devon’s Ghost: Legend of the Bloody Boy.” She has appeared in several other movies. Ashey also made guest appearances in TV shows such as “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Class Dismissed.”
Most recently, Ashley appeared in the 2023 Netflix special “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always” which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
Johnny Yong Bosch, who portrayed Adam Park, the Black Power Ranger, will also be one of the celebrities at the expo.
Ashley is excited about meeting fans in Cincinnati.
“You got to come meet me. It’s time to boogie with the bear. We are going to make all of your Power Ranger stories come true," Ashley said. “Most of all, we will become friends. I can’t wait to meet everyone in Cincinnati.”
Celebrities coming to Cincinnati Comic Expo 2023
The Cincinnati Comic Expo website, cincinnaticomicexpo.com/celebrities, lists 29 celebrities scheduled to appear including:
Bernard Hill, Kind Theoden in “Lord of the Rings.”
Adam Savage, from "Mythbusters."
Julie Benz, Darla in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Paul Bettany, J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
From “Star Trek: The Next Generation”: Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data) and John de Lancie (Q).
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” voice actors: Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), and James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi).
Stephen Amell, Oliver Queen/Green Arrow in “Arrow.”
Rebecca Gayheart, Mary Newlie in “From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter.”
The website also lists 37 comic artists scheduled to appear, including the legendary comic book artist, writer, and editor Jim Lee of DC Comics.
More to know before you go
Celebrity cancellations happen. Watch social media for the latest on your favorite celeb.
Each celebrity and artist will have separate charges for autographs, professional pictures and selfies. Check out cincinnaticomicexpo.com for prices.
There will be programs, panels and vendors selling comics, toys, posters, clothes and more.
A costume contest will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m.
There will be celebrity Q&A sessions all three days of the expo.
Fans can partake in tabletop gaming, videogame play and tournaments.
Cincinnati Comic Expo
Where: Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown.
When: Sept. 22-24. 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $60 weekend pass; $30 Friday, $35 Saturday, $30 Sunday. Early VIP entry is available. Celebrity encounters cost extra.
Information: cincinnaticomicexpo.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Comic Expo 2023: What to know before you go
