A female Twi'lek vocalist named Gaya achieved widespread fame throughout the galaxy as a superstar during the era of the First Order-Resistance War. She was a very talented artist who commanded the respect and attention of all those she encountered. Because her musical career provided numerous opportunities, the superstar made it a point to help the Twi'lek people, who had been historically exploited and repressed. She was even prepared to collaborate with individuals in the criminal world if it benefited her goals.
Gaya was eventually hired to perform a concert on the MPO-1400 Purgill-class star cruiser called Halcyon. While there, she met Sandro Alimander, an aspiring Togruta musician who admired her greatly. During her performances on the ship, she was accompanied by Ouanni, a Rodian keyboard player. Her most well-known song was "Oola Shuka," and it was played at Oga's Cantina which is located in the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.
The original concept for the Kalikori Club, a venue planned for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge but ultimately abandoned, featured a Twi'lek performer and owner named Gaya, who also had secret connections to the criminal element. These characteristics were later transferred to Oga Garra, the owner of Oga's Cantina. Since Galaxy's Edge opened, one of the songs played at Oga's Cantina has been credited to a character by the name of Gaya.
Initial press releases for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, an immersive hotel and entertainment experience that operated at the Walt Disney World Resort from 2022 to 2023, mentioned a "galactic superstar" who would perform at the hotel. According to audition materials released by The Walt Disney Company, Gaya's vocal range was classified as mezzo-soprano, and her musical style was described as a blend of "neo-soul, jazzy, funk." The audition form suggested that those auditioning for the role perform the song "Abracadabra" by Judith Hill.
A piece of concept art labeled "Gaya" was included in The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in the section dedicated to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, though it did not confirm that she was the unnamed female Twi'lek entertainer slated to appear at that hotel. Brian Matyas, the artist, posted the art to Instagram, referring to Gaya as a "vocalist in a band that would play in the park and in the hotel." A presentation at Disney's Destination D23 event on November 20, 2021 verified that Gaya was the performer at the hotel and revealed a photograph of the character. A promotional video released on November 28 showed an actress playing Gaya performing on the Halcyon.