10 Greatest Star Trek Convention Moments
4. Open Hail
In 2019, it was announced that Nichelle Nichols would be bidding farewell to public appearances, her final convention to be called 'Hailing Frequencies Open… One Last Time'. Planned for May 2020, the event was unfortunately pushed back by the pandemic, set amongst tragic revelations over a bitter fight for control of her estate. Nichols did get to say her last goodbye at the L.A. Comic Con in December 2021, just months before she sadly passed away in 2022.
Devoted to the fans, Nichols made countless convention appearances from the early 1970s onwards, sharing her inspirational stories and sublime singing voice. One greatest moment is impossible to pick for such an icon, but when another legend surprised Nichols at the 2016 Las Vegas Convention, Star Trek history was made.
That legend was Whoopi Goldberg, making her first Star Trek convention appearance for the 50th anniversary celebrations. The Guinan, and Oscar winning actress has spoken widely about Uhura's impact on her own life, as a vision of hope for the future, and as the reason she wanted to be a part of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
By the side of her now friend, Goldberg reiterated the gratitude she felt to Nichols for blazing a trail for all women. Nichols gracefully replied that she thought of Whoopi as "the personification of what women could, should, and would become".
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds put it best recently with its moving tribute to Nichols: "For Nichelle, who was first through the door and showed us the stars. Hailing frequencies forever open…"