HaloBearerUK Con Memory Collection
The weekend of February 23-25, 2024, over 200 Warrior Nun fans met up for the HaloBearerUK Convention at Hilton London Heathrow Airport. Cast and crew joined fans to celebrate the show THat so many fought to save during 2023. The convention consisted of guest panels, autographs, photos and meet and greet sessions. But one of the most important aspects of the event was meeting friends we made over the course of the Save Warrior Nun campaign in person.
The OCS Newsletter provided coverage throughout the event and below are some of the panel photographs we took. But this blog would not exist if people didn’t take the time to submit their favorite stories/memories and picture. Our sincere gratitude to each of you!
Adrienne (OCS Newsletter) @ufcfan4life2
Favorite Memory
Too many to have just one! The top of my list was meeting Pietra, the founder and co-editor of the OCS Newsletter and the many people that have helped us bring it to the Warrior Nun fandom throughout the past 14 months. Meeting so many people I have only seen as Ava or Beatrice profile pictures throughout the campaign was amazing. Having Leah, Sarah, and Julia join our 2.5-hour lunch with Lee, Kai, and Jo. Missing the VIP meet and great because of lunch then London traffic but making it just in time for the last session. Sylvia giving me a hug during the Friday night meet and greet when I introduced my name was surreal but when everyone started clapping the memory was burned into my heart and mind forever. Trying to figure out how I could logistically work out the guest receiving the awards and memory books made by a group in the fandom since the convention people told them no. It was too important of a moment and the gifts to precious just leave on a table. I felt that both guest and fandom members deserved to witness it together (I was able to halfway succeed). Randomly finding Sarah Walker as she entered the main hallway and her asking me what to do (of course I said I would take care of it). Seeing the guest walking down the hallway was a surreal moment. Then being yelled out to take it easy by my friends and them making me eat because I was too busy doing one thing or another was heartwarming (after I actual stopped and listened). I was so happy to be able to give everyone some kind of OCS Newsletter merch and was truly overwhelmed and blown away by how many people gave me presents. I feel like I’m still digesting the trip and all the memories created during my journey and hope to be able to meet everyone again in the future!
MG @Mawica78
Favorite Memory
Selfies were really nice. But ai have so many good memories it is hard to just pick one...
Sean @crmsncrwndknght
Favorite Memory
Talking to other WN fans and the guests! Meeting new people and making friends!
Favorite Story
Favourite story has to be my surprise with the cosplay contest. I didn't expect people to cheer for the one character we all love to hate 🤣
But the love was overwhelmingly felt and appreciated. I loved seeing the other amazing cosplayers 🙏🏾 💙
Anything else you want to add
I'm still here for the fight for the show. We got faith and fire 🔥 In this life!
Inthislyf
Favorite Memory
Meeting KTY when she arrived. I almost fell on my seat at the registration booth couch.
Favorite Story
How I and Deej got our KTY M&G tickets. It was an extended for insistent ppl want to buy xtra for KTY's M&G lining every morning. It was hardwork and determination and we really enjoyed spending all our GBP! But it was all worth it.
Anything else you want to add
What I really love most is that I met a lot of good and lovely ppl in the fandom at the Con who became my friends.
Wolfie
Favorite Memory
1. Meeting the award team for the first time and putting faces to the user names; bunch of lovely and nice people and it was so much fun meeting up and trying to give the guests sneakily the awards - and ofc meeting the person who made the awards <3 You rock!
2. Playing Trivia and meeting a new group of friends and naming the team (The Unholy Circle) - hanging out with them this whole weekend and it was fun and chaos :D ; also playing against Des! Des is such an awesome person so it was amazing playing against her :D
Favorite Story
1. Scaring Kristina with Nuno cards :D Holding up a Nuno card with Beatrice and she was confused since it looked like us holding up a yellow card like in soccer, she loved it though and asked if we can get her a Nuno deck :)
2. Talking with Sylvia; her Life Advice: Build Bridges between you and others, you and the things that are important to you - the things she does and the things she fights for... she is a role model
Anything else you want to add
OCS - stay awesome!
@chaotic_4ngel
Favorite Memory
1. Holding KTY's hand
2. Meeting new people and seeing the cast in person!
For those who got cameos from KTY...During my solo photo with KTY I asked her if she wanted to untangle her headphones during her cameos, she said no.
Favorite Story
So when I got to Toya to sign my cast photo, I asked if she could draw a steering wheel on Meena's hand (since you know, Yasmine can't drive). She panicked and was like "ahhhh not the drawing" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Anything else you want to add
Bit random but during my solo photo, I hugged Toya and she told me that I smelled good, so I guess that I have good taste in perfumes :))
@PrayForStormy
Favorite Memory
KTY´s double autograph
@cohoshthe
Favorite Memory
Getting to meet with all the fams I have been interacting with for the last year and a half. After being stuck at home so much because of the pandemic, it was amazing getting to meet everyone. Meeting the OFV has a very dear and special place in my heart. Who knew a silly group of people would come together because of a fictional priest!
Favorite Story
During the photos with Sylvia De Fanti I had the honor of taking Bearcent (a stuffed bear that was originally a gift for Tristán Ulloa because of a very long running joke in the OFV). When it was my turn I held out the bear and she had the best reaction to seeing him. We got a photo together with us kissing Bearcent.
Everyone who asked for a selfie with the bear and joining the OFV group photo for Tristán was also amazing. You could tell how many people admire and respect him in that moment. Even if we are conflicted about Father Vincent!
Anything else you want to add
I am grateful to the three people who made it possible for a homeschooling mom to attend. It was a trip I wont forget for years to come and I am so thankful that I got to meet everyone. ♥️ Additionally I got to spend time with a friend who got married moved to England several years ago. She was so encouraged to see someone from home and we spent several hours just enjoying our friendship. Her husband messaged me and expressed his own gratitude for that time as well.
And I want to add I am so proud of everyone who travelled overseas and internationally for the first time. You are all incredibly brave, never forget what you accomplished.
Stan_stark3
Favorite Memory
The panels and seeing other halobearers together:)
Favorite Story
Been given a free poster and pin badge by 2 of the incredible vendors: @hayleyhbOm8 and @sixinaboxdesign 🫶🏻
Anything else you want to add
I felt completely comfortable and accepted by all the other halobearers ❤️
Des (DesiraeC93)
Favorite Memory
After the meet and greets and events on Friday Sylvia, Kristina, and Meena had gone outside to smoke and a few of us went out to go say hello and talk to them. They were very sweet and gracious. We joked with Kristina and Meena about going out to a club nearby and asked for their recommendations. Kristina laughed and said, “None around here.” As I talked to Sylvia about missing my kiddo when I traveled to the convention I showed her a picture of my daughter and she said she was so cute and then proceed to pull out a phone a show me a picture of her son who she was missing also. We got to bond a minute over being moms. When I came up to Meena she said she loved my curly hair and I said I loved her’s too. She was so sweet and genuine. While we talked I asked Meena and Kristina about their experience shooting under Covid and asked, “So even though there were restrictions and stuff I’m sure you guys found a way to go out and have fun. So who was the ring leader? Who was the one that planned all the fun stuff to get people together?” Meena and Kristina just shared a look and Kristina with a small sly smile gently raised her hand then started to laugh. She said, “Me and Jack.” And Meena confirmed. And then she thought back and said, “And we never got sick.” After that I asked Meena to elaborate about her experience getting sick and taking some strong medicine while shooting and she laughed recalling it to us and Kristina. They told us more about their experience shooting under Covid and how they got tested every other day. They did their table reads from their rooms over zoom which was hard. They were just so sweet answering our questions and taking time to talk to us when they weren’t required to and it is a memory I will cherish forever.
Favorite Story
While I was seated next to Kristina at Friday’s meet and greet I had the chance to ask her about her cameos. I said, “I saw your cameos the other day and you’ve done at least 1000 now. And that’s just how many we can see reviews on. How many do you think you’ve done? Do you have the analytics on that?” She laughed a bit and responded, “oh I don’t know probably, but I would want to look at the analytics because that would probably be overwhelming a bit.” I asked her what her process was for doing the cameos. She said something along the lines of, “I spend about 5 minutes on each cameo sometimes more depending on what’s being asked. But I only try and do about 10 a day because it’s hard and kind of weird just staring into a camera and essentially talking to yourself for a long time. It can be kind of weird so I limit how many I do a day. But it’s nice having that kind of interaction with you guys. It’s cool to get cameos from people asking for help, encouragement, or advice when someone is going to school for their degree or trying to get a new job or for important things, I get invested in wanting to know the outcomes for you guys and it’s always really cool to get a cameo back and have someone say thank you or they let me know they got the job, or asked that person out or something or they got that promotion. I like to see the outcomes and people tagging me on Twitter to give me the update or something like that.” She really gets invested, like anyone would, in knowing how the story ended for the people she had the opportunity to be invited in to be a small part of their story life or to have a glimpse into their struggles. It was really nice to see how sweet and genuine she was with her love for our fandom and how she really takes those interactions to heart. The cameos are transactional of course but they are still something she really pours her time and energy into to make them worth our while and to make it something that will be appreciated and cherished. Kristina has a warm light that just radiates from her effortlessly and makes you want to be her friend or just be around her and you could tell she was just happy to be there amongst us in such a relaxing setting where she could take in a couple of us at a time and have some good one on one interactions with us.
Anything else you want to add
Coming to London made it to where I got to meet some amazing people I had been interacting with, and considered my friends, for the past year and also the incredible cast who were just the coolest and sweetest people. Halo Bearer was more than anything I could have asked for because it was an opportunity afforded to me by my friends and a few gracious people in the fandom. I wouldn’t have been able to attend without them and for that I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity and it will forever be an experience I cherish for the rest of my life.
Jeanne @DoctorSuperion
Favorite Memory
Party in Room 266!
Agnes Szalkowska
Favorite Memory
Light Saber Fights , group Meet and greets
princington
Favorite Memory
Sitting down with the guests during the Friday meet and greet, and meeting other fans and online friends for the first time!
Favorite Story
Meena's story about being sick on the set, and being So out of it after drinking flu meds.
Coco Cat (@Coco_Cat38)
Favorite Memory
KTY joking about the absence of the trilogy for the meme in front of Dean and his whole family. I sat behind Dean and got to see his whole reaction and it really was priceless 😂
Also Chris calling a Swan an "English Goose" is pretty high up there ngl
Favorite Story
4 of us set off on an adventure to find the sword with the Warrior Nun writing on it in the British Museum. It took ages to get there because of traffic and trains not running, and then it took ages in the museum itself but we decided we would use it as an adventure like they did in the museum heist episode so we did not ask for help, we wandered around for like 40 minutes trying to find this thing and then when we finally did, we took a picture of a kiwi with it 😂 as you should.
Anything else you want to add
My absolute favourite thing for this trip was not the con itself but spending time with my friends and meeting new people. Putting faces to twitter and discord profiles is always a great time and I really hope to see you all again some time! Getting to meet for the first time some people that I have spent a year messaging, planning things with and having fun really is something I will never forget. Until we meet again 🫡
@aepell17
Favorite Memory
Creating friends with other halo bearers
Favorite Story
I loved the "What does it mean" story that kristina and meena shared
Anything else you want to add
The best time of my life, I've had never been happier. Thank you to everyone who helped make it so memorable
Darleen @ILoveAvatrice (Darling.BooBoo)
Favorite Memory
One of my fondest memories is when I met both old and new HaloBearers friends. What began as a shared goal to save our beloved Warrior Nun series blossomed into truly special and meaningful friendships. 💜
Favorite Story
One of my favourite stories to share is about the time I had a photo opportunity with Kristina Tonteri-Young, who portrayed my favourite character. I brought along my "Sister Beatrice" kit, which is a 3D print of Gisela's work that I painted for the first time. It was truly an awesome experience!
I can't find the right words to express how much KTY means to me and how profound of an impact her character has left on me. She has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. 💜🫶🏼🥰
Anything else you want to add
I met three amazing individuals who have played a significant role in shaping who I am today, and I will cherish that experience for a lifetime. It's a funny story, while I was walking by them, preoccupied with my freshly printed photo ops 🤷🏽🤭, Lee complimented my "Ava" outfit. I responded with a simple "Thank you," without realising who he was. After a double take, I recognised him, and my brain went into a frenzy 😂. I also noticed Kai and Jo. I took the opportunity to ask for a photo with them, but Jo modestly offered to take our picture until someone else volunteered to snap a photo with her too. I'm grateful for their work 🤝🏼, and it was amazing to express that gratitude in person 🫶🏼💜🥰.
Aggeliki @tzotzolaki
Favorite Memory
Meeting KTY for the first time
Favorite Story
When I went to take my solo photo with Kristina, I was so nervous that I couldn't smile, I couldn't even look at her😅so in the picture I look like I am in pain while hugging her😂 as soon as it came out of the printer and I saw it, I run to the con counter where they were selling pictures for Meena and extras in general and I asked them if there were any photos with Kristina left. They gave me a selfie one, they wrote "solo photo" on top of the ticket and they told me to run because the line was almost done. I was the last one and when Kristina saw me she said "hello again" 😂 I got it and I was smiling wide😁
Anything else you want to add
Any memory I created with my fellow halo bearers I met there, is precious and I'll keep it in my heart forever 🥰 In this life or the next 🔥
Selena @spikki241
Favorite Memory
Offering to buy Toya a drink after she was reading the label on my cider bottle. Her putting her arm around me and telling the crew that "me and my new friend are gonna go do a cheers" and then knocking back cider together after Friday's meet and greet ❤️
Meryl @ohtymerl
Favorite Memory
Being able to meet people who share the same love for Warrior Nun and connecting with them, and meeting the cast of WN!
Favorite Story
Promoting my salted egg fish skin snack to people who didn't dare to try it, and after telling them that kty tried and liked it, everyone wanted a piece 😂
Anything else you want to add
Just wanted to say that I really loved the time I spent there, although it was really short but I truly felt connected and understood by many others and that in itself was one of the best things in life.
giù @giulswannacry
Favorite Memory
i was in line before the pic with kty and toya, and I was honestly minding my own business (i think i was distracted by toya's dog who was yapping around and was extremely cute lol). then when i looked up and saw giulia, a friend of mine, talking with kristina and pointing and me, and suddenly kty looked at me and started saying "why why would you do that why." as the good italian that i am, i just went 🤌🏼 "what's happening" 🤌🏼 and while giulia told me she ratted me out on kty on being the one who fought with her about kiwis on twitter the night before, kty suddenly started aggressively doing 🤌🏼 at me while walking towards me.
this is honestly one of my favorite memories ever because i always saw kristina as extremely intimidating (you know, pretty, smart, talented, played the most BADASS character on warrior nun), but in that moment she just felt like any other friend with whom i would have a banter over the stupidest things. it made me appreciate her even more, because she owes us nothing and yet she still put the effort into getting to know us, chat with us, and joke with us. and in general it was just so fucking funny to see her do 🤌🏼 (and i'm so sad i couldn't get it on camera)
Favorite Story
my favorite story is connected to my favorite picture. on friday morning, we found out that there were 4 italians at the convention, and all 4 of us were called giulia (well, three and a half: asia's second name is giulia, but it's for the meme). and the funniest thing is that in the picture there are 5 people, and that's because the 5th one is 1/4 italian AND their name is giulia too. even though only 1 out of 5 goes by giulia (the rest of us by giu, jules, or asia with her first name lol), it's something i'm never gonna get over
Anything else you want to add
i've been to many conventions before and this was by far the worst organised one. and still, this was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. i've never been prouder and happier to be part of a fandom, and i'll always be grateful for all the friends i've made along the way
the Ham
Favorite Memory
This was my first con ever! There were so many amazing memories - meeting fandom folks and making new friends and meeting the cast were def highlights
Favorite Story
I was just so tickled to see everyone’s response to Mr Krabs. I really didn’t think so many of you were paying attention to my little countdown. Meeting people and introducing myself as “the Ham” (which was and still is very weird btw) and seeing the delighted responses and people knowing about my countdown made me so happy and I felt so welcomed. I had so much fun taking Mr Krabs around and taking tons of photos with people and props! Shoutout to Adrienne and Maisel for the amazing gifts that made it possible.
Anything else you want to add
This fandom is the most welcoming space I have ever been a part of, it’s so special. Please never forget that the heart of this fandom is love and acceptance 🩵
Veronika @RightStumble
I already sent a few pictures, but then remembered that I also had fun talking with people about the Ultimate Collab. So here something about that
@LisaIsOnTwitta
Favorite Memory
Funny memory was shouting "Team Traumatized" to help KTY choose a side in the kiwi war during the panel 😂 (but she didn't need help at all...).
But the best memory is the one I made when meeting other Halo Bearers, and especially this one amazing American lady... 🥰
Favorite Story
Talking to Meena in french while she passed by me to go and prep for the Selfie session. She was really surprised and clearly wasn't expecting to hear it. But as soon as she did, she smiled so big and responded right away. She was really lovely.
Kris @GhostWriter
Favorite Story
Convo with Meena
Melisa @Auselessbian
Favorite Memory
I loved meeting my old friends and making new ones. It was also wonderful to see the guests and especially Kristina again. Listening to them and hearing how their life changed after Warrior Nun made me so emotional..
Kristina saying her world would have been smaller without WN made me tear up. My world would have been so much smaller too..
Also my fellow Halo Bearers who donated and organized the costco run to make sure everyone was fed and hydrated during the con, you guys are amazing. I'm always amazed at the endless generosity and kindness of our fandom. Thank you for everything.
Just everything about these 3 days is so special to me. We ate together, we laughed and cried together, we played Uno and danced together. It's not just one memory because I enjoyed every single moment. And you guys are the reason.
Favorite Story
Listening to all the amazing people I've met and hearing them talking about their personal journey about life, self-discovery and how they became a Halo Bearer. Especially hearing so many sapphic women, attendes and organizers talking so freely and openly about their girlfriends and wives. It was truly healing..
Listening to the guests and their journey made me very proud. Every single one of them contributed to the success of our beloved show and made these cons and our friendships possible. I'm in awe of their talent and support for the show and for us. This makes me want to fight even harder for a continuation. They deserve it.
On the last day we played crazy bingo and we were asked the question "who would accidentally go to the wrong airport and miss their flight?" And my friends were pointing at me. The next day I went to the wrong terminal.. (I wish this was a joke but nope) thank Ava Christ I didn't miss my flight 🥲
And of course there are some other funny stories about us gay panicking and being a bit akward iykyk..
But my favourite story is our story. Our journey as a fandom and how we found each other. This is just the beginning. In this life. ✨
Anything else you want to add
Thank you to every single one of you for making this event truly unforgettable. 🤍
See you at the next con! Much love!
Belén @SairalindeStark or @SairaWorkshop
Favorite Memory
Handing the keychain gifts to the guests and Meena remembering that person that asked her if she was ok with a leather gift (and KTY hugging me as a thank you)
Anything else you want to add
I know I didn't interact a lot with people, I was on the verge of a breakdown almost all the weekend due to social anxiety, but the people of the fandom were so nice and welcoming and understanding, it's the main reason I could stay the whole time without dissociating or with a panic attack, so thank you very much for that, and to all the people that took the time to approach and say hi (because it's something I wouldn't be able to do by myself but I really really wanted to talk to people). I barely took pics either, so these are the few I can share
@dchn_elise
Favorite Memory
It's so hard to choose, but if it's cast related, I think it'd be when Olivia recognized me. In the cast photo at first she seemed so enthusiastic like I felt she remembered me then, but I didn't want to be delulu😂. So later on I had a solo picture with her. And she again looked so happy, and she said "it's so nice to see you", so after the picture was taken, I decided to ask "do you remember me?" And her response was: "Of course! You showed me the video of your grandma!" 🥹. In August during Witchbomb, I went up to her in the lobby and showed her this: https://twitter.com/dchn_elise/status/1674041018960707586?t=fc8EeYod9MI3pR0GEbRk4Q&s=19
So yeah that was very heart warming to me, because not only did she recognize me, but she also remembers my grandma now, and my grandma means the world to me.
Favorite Story
I'm gonna tell the story of how the SWNostalgia and HalOSCARS projects went. To clarify, us three in the SWNostalgia team were also part of the awards team. On Saturday morning we met up with the Jo, Lee and Kai in secret, so the con crew didn't know about this. We were going to wait with them for the cast to personally hand off the gifts. But they received a message from Kristina in their gc saying that the con crew was taking all the guests away to someplace else with this emoji "🤦♀️". At that moment it really felt like it was the fans and the guests vs. the crew 🤣. So we ended up giving Jo, Lee and Kai both of the gifts then. They were all speechless and said they wanted a picture with us, and that's how we ended up on their story on IG. After this, they told us they'd find another way for us to give these gifts, so we all split up again and some of us went back to stewarding.
But then suddenly during the first panel, Adrienne comes running up to me: "get the gifts now Kristina is going to call you all up to the stage". I didn't expect that, so I started running around the hall looking for all teammates and even went up to Kristina to ask her if she'd maybe be able to do it during the big panel, but I understand she didn't wait til then with calling us up, because the con crew could've known it by then, or there would maybe be bigger issues. So then at the end of the panel with her, Meena and Olivia. Kristina called us up, and @ilikewarriornun gave their speech for the awards. I knew at that point we in the books team should get ahold of the mic as soon as possible or we wouldn't be able to say a few words. So I went up the stage took the mic and was about to say something, when security came and got me off of stage, he then took my mic. I was a bit lost to be honest. And Olivia, Meena and Kristina were asking me if I still wanted to say something, and after a few seconds Olivia gave me her microphone 🥹. So we were able to do an impromptu speech. And maybe we weren't able to say all we wanted to say, we were able to give the books personally and explain what it was, so we're already so grateful for that.
After this panel, we spotted Sarah Walker so went over to her to give both gifts and talk a bit with her. After the tweet of the con saying we can't ask of the guests to call them up to the stage etc. For Sylvia we thought of a loophole, I went up to Sylvia with the book during the autographs to get my copy signed. And explained to her that she was going to get one too. Later, Toya ended up meeting up with us in the vendor's area to give the gifts. We gave her both her's and Lorena's.
Anything else you want to add
I didn't put in any favourite memories with the fandom, because honestly being with Halobearers is my feeling of home. I never feel as accepted, safe and loved then when I'm with other Halobearers. And I feel like a lot of the time, I'm living between cons, just constantly looking back to the past cons or looking forward to the next one. I couldn't ever choose a favourite memory with any of you, because I just enjoy all the time spent with all of you. I'm grateful I get to be a part of this community 🩵.
Asia @ashnootfoound
Favorite Memory
My favorite memory is definitely the first time I hugged Kristina or the first time we looked into each other's eyes, I had been waiting for that moment for a long time and when it happened it didn't seem real to me.
Favorite Story
These make you laugh...
The first time I saw Kristina, Toya and Sylvia on the first day it was me and 3 other people (who are now wonderful friends) in the vendor area and we were playing Uno. As soon as I saw them entering the M&G room I was surprised by an attack of gay panic, throwing the cards at my friends and starting to cry non-stop.
Another story, if not my favorite, is when I knelt before KTY with a pebble to ask if I could become her Italian wife. I spoke to the crew first to ask for permission and not to make her uncomfortable in any way, but the astonished face and the laughter we had together are the memory that I keep most in my heart, together with the "you're lovely" said by her as I was leaving. And anyway, she said yes!!!
I gave her a pebble because it's something that some animals do, like a promise of love to see it in a poetic way.
Anything else you want to add
This trip was my first ever totally alone, thanks to all these wonderful people I met there, to our wonderful Warrior Nun, to our actors and stunt crew and to our journey I managed to overcome my anxiety and heal from depression. It wasn't just a trip, it wasn't just a convention, it was a mission with a great team at my side. Thank you <3
NOTE: Images belong to and submitted by each person listed. If there is an issue please contact us.