COSPLAY BUTTERFLY - A NICE LADY WHO'LL GIVE YOU WINGS

Now being a cosplay interviewer, I've come to the realization that the people I've interviewed have quite a few things in common. For instance, by in large they are all quite beautiful people, both inside and out. They have a certain zeal for creativity and life. Plus to top it all off, they all have well-shaped... coff-coff... posteriors. Here. Check out this interview I had with my mate Jessie to see what I mean.





1) What are your own origins, Jessie? Plus what path did you take in life before you got to where you are today?   I've been cosplaying with a very dear friend of mine since we were 14 years old. She was my best friend and I ended up moving 6 hours away from her when we were kids. The only time we ever got to see each other was when we both attended conventions together.

'Anime North' in Toronto, Canada, has been our go- to convention ever since and we have expanded our horizons since then. Her mother is an amazing seamstress and made our costumes for us, but we've been expanding and helping out with collaborations and ideas on the process of the costume making. I really want to prove my artistic abilities, and while I cant sew to save my life, I'm starting to practice the use of Worbla as a craft material for armor. So I'm going to be making armor pieces, while she deals with the fabric aspects and everyone sort of contributes to the making of props. Especially my friends amazing boyfriend.

I am also the creative force behind our make up. We always cosplay together and despite our growing difference in tastes, we always stick together and have fun. That is what cosplay means to me, and what it has brought me to where I am today.

I love the characters, I love the act of cosplaying, I love acting, and I love the environment and people that come with conventions. My admiration for all those things are what inspire me to become more involved and bring my cosplays to a whole new level.

2) What are the most persistent comments you’ve received from your fans?   "You are breathtakingly beautiful!!!" said in a billion different ways. Haha!, It's always lovely to hear that, but I feel like such a dope when I just reply with a very simple (yet honest and true) thank you. I wish I was more creative with my responses. Also, my ass. Yes, my ass has been the main topic of many a cosplay discussion. Hahaha!

I do happen to cosplay characters that sort of show it off (such as Cammy, for instance). But that's not my reason for cosplaying those characters at all!!! If anything, I'm somewhat self conscious of my behind because I think it's rather large. I've even had one person say that my waist is too small in comparison and that I absolutely photo-shopped my body.

I have NEVER altered anything in my pictures except for the very basic colours, contrast, and cropping which is all done on a free online photo editor. There is no need to hide your true body to the world. People just don't know what they are talking about. And despite all the attention I get on my looks, I really want people to recognize me as the character. Not just a girl dressed up. It's somewhat bothersome when people degrade from the act of cosplaying by referring to it as 'soft core porn' for models.

Cosplay is cosplay, is cosplay. Period.

3) What is your ‘regular’ job? And does it in any way shape or form aide you as a Cosplayer?   Ahh! My regular job. Well, I am currently out of school because I have yet to decide on which path I'd like to stroll down for the rest of my life. So I am currently a waitress. Nothing special. I love the tips, but it's such an unstable industry when it comes to money because it is so dependent on different variables. I am currently looking for a second job to support my needs (my crazy expensive cosplay needs, that is). 

I wouldn't say that it contributes in any way. Hmmm. It does help with interacting with people. I have a great time talking to strangers and I'd say that my social skills are pretty well rounded. Plus I have to deal with sad, mean, nothing better to do with their lives, angry and unrealistic customers. That right there reflects most trolls on the internet! So it's definitely helped toughen my skin when it comes to needless commentary. So that's a bonus, I guess. : p

4) How did your friends, family, and work colleagues first react to the news that you were a model?   I wouldn't call myself a model, just a hobbyist. Although I would definitely be interested as pursuing a modeling career, I cant call myself one. When it comes to cosplaying I actually kept it a secret during the first few years in high school because I didn't know how people would react. Then I decided I didn't care and came out of the 'cosplay closet' so to speak.

And guess what?! No one really cared! Hahha! If anything, people just think it's cute and cool and that I'm a big geek. It was really easy. My parents and little sisters were a bit harder to deal with. They just saw me parading around in these outrageous outfits and didn't really know what to think. But now they are incredibly supportive! Once they saw the community and realized that I wasn't an exhibitionist -- just a cosplayer -- it really put their minds at ease. For the most part, at least. I'm sure that there will always be characters I go for that they wont agree with or understand but they're my family and have my back no matter what.

5) How do you decide what Cosplay costume to wear for a convention? And who makes them?   My cosplays are of characters I love. I know everything about the characters I cosplay because I have such a great respect for the creative process behind those characters. I'm originally a visual artist, so when I really like a design, I understand what goes on behind the scenes of creating it.

If I find a character whom I don't know about but love how they look, I will research the hell out of them to make sure that I actually like their personality first. 

6) What have you learnt about yourself whilst being a Cosplay model? And were their any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with?   Through cosplaying, I've learnt that no matter what, cosplaying is for your very own enjoyment and no one else's. You choose to cosplay because it is a passion and no one should alter that for you. No matter how much praise or negativity you receive about how you look or your costume choice, you must always remember that it's for YOU. And you alone.

Cosplaying is fun and no one should take that fun away from you. So it doesn't matter if you're black, white, brown, purple, pink, or blue, tall, short, big, thin, curvy, masculine, male, female, you can choose to be whoever and whatever you want! And that's what the world of cosplay is all about.

There are still times when I feel like I'm not good enough, or I'm having a bad day and just feel plain ugly. But I'm human, we all go through that. The trick is to not let it get to you and realize that those self destructive feelings will pass and don't actually reflect how people view you as a cosplayer. 

7) What was the best / worst convention you ever attended?   Nah!!! I've NEVER been to a bad convention! I enjoy them all. My favorite has to be 'Anime North' though, because of the nostalgia factor. But I'd love to travel down into the States and attend the really big conventions. I feel like those would be quite the experience!

8) What would be your dream Cosplay gig and outfit? Ahhhh!!! This is an exciting question! My dream cosplay has always been Nova from Star Craft II and Ghost. I am in love with her and have read all two books that she's been featured in and the manga Ha-ha!

I am an avid World of Warcraft player and have HUGE respect for Blizzard as a company. Their artistic capabilities are to die for. If you could be an artist for Blizzard I would surely die. Hahah (not really) But I LOVE Blizzard. So, cosplaying as Nova and doing her justice would be a dream come true. It's definitely going to take a lot of hard work and time but I'm planning on pulling it off. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to make my way to Blizzcon. That would be a dream come true!

I also am very inspired to so a Warhammer 40k Sisters of Battle cosplay! Again, it'll be very tricky, stressful, time consuming and expensive, but entirely worth it! I was to do the battle armor from the Our Martyred Lady chapter. I will attempt this once I am almost fully (I'll never be fully) content with my worbla and craft foam skills.

9) Has their ever been an outfit you just did not like wearing? And if so, why?   Nope. I've enjoyed all of my outfits. The worst thing is all the walking around in horrendously tall heels. My feet were in very rough shape after attending 'Toronto's Fan Expo' as Emma Frost. I got somewhat grumpy because of all the pain I was in and was constantly annoying myself and probably my group by wanting to take breaks to sit down. BUT that was a small price to pay for the integrity of the cosplay. Even now, looking back on it, I didn't mind and regret nothing.

10) Do you have a credo you live by?   I wouldn't say that I have a credo that I live by. But if I had any advice to give to anyone looking to get into the cosplaying community, it would be to always trust and believe in yourself. Love yourself. Always be respectful of other and have FUN! Be the best cosplayer you can be for yourself. : )

Wow! Wise words indeed, Jessie. I hope my dear readers will live by them. And find some time to check out your great facebook page. Go on. Click-Click. Amen.