by Guest Reporter Katie Cullen

This is the story of how I became a princess.

Well, okay, the story is about much more than just that, but sometimes it’s more fun to give the punch line first. This is more of the story of how Twilight Sparkle became a princess and The Hub-sponsored event premiering the finale of Season 3 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I’d been lucky enough to receive an invitation to cover the event for ComicsOnline.

After multiple GPS mishaps and even more wrong turns, I finally arrived at the Brentwood Theater in Los Angeles. It was a smaller venue, just the right size for the hundred or so guests, press, and celebrities in attendance. We were each handed a small decorated paper bag, stapled shut, told not to open it until told to do so, and ushered inside to find a seat.

Once the audience was seated and had quieted down, the curtain parted to reveal a trio of princess and a prince, performing the My Little Pony opening theme – the full version. If Hasbro and Disney ever got together, this was what it would both look and sound like, and for a princess-themed day, it was certainly a good opening.

The host of the event took the stage next: Mallory Hagan, Miss America 2013. She welcomed us all to the venue, asked us if we were excited, and introduced the next guests: USC’s premier a cappella group, the SoCal VoCals. The performed two songs back-to-back: At the Gala and Smile. I can say right now that if an album of a cappella My Little Pony covers were ever produced, I would be on that like white on rice. The performance was fantastic.

Mallory took the stage again after that and told us to open the bags we’d been given. They contained a costume crown and wand, noisemaker, bubbles, and a bag of confetti. We weren’t just watching the episode, Mallory explained. It was an interactive screening – along the lines of Rocky Horror Picture Show, though slightly more audience-appropriate – and it was up to us to pull out the correct items at the correct times and help Twilight Sparkle solve the problem of the day. That explained, the lights dimmed and the episode began.

As you’ve probably heard, Magical Mystery Cure centers around a spell Twilight casts that accidentally switches the Cutie Marks and therefore destinies of her friends, and it’s up to her to set things right. Keeping it spoiler-free, I did enjoy the episode much more than I thought I would. It was cleverly executed, had multiple catchy songs (including one sung by Celestia! No, seriously, guys, we get Celestia singing), and was overall very fun to watch. Pinkie Pie stole the show, but in Equestria, that’s basically Tuesday.

Once the episode had concluded, the floor and seats and hair and clothing of everyone present covered in confetti, and condolences for the poor cleaning crew who had to come in after us and deal with confetti had been expressed to one another, Mallory took the stage once again to introduce the day’s special guest: Carmelita “The Jet” Jeter, the fastest woman in the world. She spoke on her own experiences and compared them to Twilight’s, elaborating on the common theme of persevering towards your goal and never giving up, no matter what setbacks stand in your way.

Mallory then brought the prince and princesses and the SoCal VoCals back onstage, as well as special guest Tara Strong, and invited the audience to stand. She and Carmelita read the Princess Vow and instructed the audience members to place their costume crowns on their heads, thereby crowning every member of the audience a princess. Yes, even the boys. When Miss America and Twilight Sparkle tell you that you’re a princess, then you are a princess and it is magical.

All in all, it was a pretty fantastic event. I met Miss America, saw multiple musical performances, enjoyed the season finale far more than I ever thought I would, and became a princess. The Hub, not unlike Pinkie Pie, certainly knows how to throw quite the party.

Special thanks to our friends at The Hub for inviting us out to cover the event!

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic “Magical Mystery Cure” airs this Saturday, February 16th, 10:30 am ET only on The Hub network!

Keep watching ComicsOnline.com on Facebook and Twitter all this week as we continue our coverage of the upcoming My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic season 3 finale with not one but TWO (mostly) spoiler free reviews of the episode and EVERYTHING GEEK POP CULTURE!