9. Who/What is your dream cosplay?
I have a folder full of these! One big one I want to get done this year is Neo Queen Serenity. I just really, really want to do it. Two big dream ones are Rita Repulsa and Maleficent. Someday, someday I’ll do those, and it’ll be amazing!
Also I sort of want to do a bunch of Tiana. Like different variations. I just really love her lol.
25. Favorite costume?
Tiana. I just really love that dress. I really, really do. I love the Belle dress, too, and Princess Peach, but… o.k. those are my top three. The funny thing is that I was going to retire Peach after August? Metacon was going to me the last time I wore it, then that article happened so now I’m like, “Gonna revamp that sucker.” I also want to redo my Queen Minnie cosplay, I did that yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeears ago!
28. Who is your cosplay inspiration?
I sort of already answered this in #27, but… you know what, I have an answer for this.
One is my partner. Seriously, you have no idea how important she is with this cosplay thing. On top of making all of my costumes, she gives me the encouragement I need, too. I really want to show off her work because I think she’s amazing, and I think this is something she should be doing, you know? She should be at home making costumes and hats and hoodies and everything. We should be going to conventions to show off our book and our art and that should be what we do. And I told her that it’s really great that there’s a costume maker out there who can make things for plus sized people, or just… anyone really, she doesn’t care about size, or race, or gender, or anything. She got to make a dress for our friend going through transition right now and that was the most amazing cosplay moment I have ever witnessed. And I really don’t think my partner realizes how important it is to have someone who doesn’t judge what character you want to do, or flat out refuses to make something because of who you are (which happened to our friend because she’s trans). I wouldn’t even be cosplaying so much if not for her. I have doubtful moments sometimes, and she’s like, “You look beautiful,” and that’s really all it takes. To have someone in your corner to support you. That means everything.
In the same scope is my parents because they are so supportive, and them spazzing at all of the writing and art that I do is just wonderful. I look at them as a way to remind myself to go out there and do what I want, because I know they made sacrifices. My mom had my brother at a very young age and stopped going to school. My dad always tells me how he slacked off and wasted what he can do. So now here I am, doing what I want to do. It’s not always easy, but it’s fun and I’m enjoying it :)
The second thing that inspires me is all of my fans. Cheesy, I know, but it’s true. I wrote that article and so many people shared it and commented and just… getting messages from people saying things like, “Now I want to consider cosplaying, because of you,” that means the world to me. As a writer and an artist, I do want to impact people, I want people to remember me. But now that it’s actually happening – in a way I never expected – I really don’t know what to say except, “Thank you.” You don’t see the smile I get on my face when I get your messages, or the fact that it takes me a minute to respond because I’m sitting there staring at the screen, but all of you are important to me :)