Cosplay Confessions is a series we do to spotlight and get to understand the wonderful members of our cosplay community (and beyond!). This time we have the young and talented Galaxymermaidx!

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COSPLAY?

Two of my friends in high school did a lot of cosplay at the time and I absolutely loved it.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their cosplay and con adventures. I didn't get to officially start cosplaying until I got out of high school but I did manage to attend 3 conventions while in high school which I loved. It just exemplified my desire to want to cosplay.

WHY DO YOU LIKE COSPLAYING?

I apparently love torturing myself. But seriously, I love this hobby. I love the skills I've been able to pick up with cosplaying. I love making new things and when it turns out good, I'm elated. I get to be someone else for a little bit. I get to showcase my favorite fandoms when I'm in cosplay. I make new friends. I'm much more outgoing and confident. Cosplay has managed to be something I pride myself in even though I'm not on any amazing level. I just try really hard to make myself content in whatever I make.

As Himiko Toga at Halloween Comicfest 2019

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER(S) TO COSPLAY?

Himiko Toga from Boku No Hero Academia (My Hero Academia) is probably hands down my favorite cosplay of the year that I have done. I really surprised myself with how quickly I became attached to the cosplay. I made all my gear, my mom and I made the seifuku for the shirt and we made the skirt. All her gear was super interesting to make because there were TONS of firsts when making it. First time using contact cement, first time using a rotary tool, first time using an electric sander, first time using a lot of the materials I used. I definitely would love to upgrade Toga again soon because everyone loves a glow up!

HOW DO YOU PUT TOGETHER YOUR COSTUMES?

Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust ! Haha, It depends. I make some of my cosplays or elements of my cosplays or I buy them. Amazon is my best friend when it comes to buying certain items for cosplays. My mother helps me with sewing pieces I want handmade. I reuse pieces that have lost their purpose, I feel like a low-key hoarder because I hold onto various miscellaneous objects that could possibly be useful for a future project. I plan out each cosplay, try to break it down piece by piece and I construct lists upon lists. And no cosplay making is complete without inklings of stress, anxiety, and procrastination.

WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CONVENTIONS/EVENTS TO COSPLAY AT?

AnimeNext and Katsucon. I love attending AnimeNext especially since it’s moved to Atlantic City. It was my first con back in 2014 when it called Somerset home. I meet so many awesome individuals that are local to me and it’s always a fun time! Everyone is so nice and energetic and just super friendly! I also go with like half the people from my job so that’s always cool beans! Katsucon is just in such a nice location and it’s always a fun winter con. It’s filled to the brim with insanely talented cosplayers who rock my socks right off. It’s the biggest con I attend and I’ve managed to make it a regular con that I look forward to!

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE COSPLAY STORIES?

One of my favorite cosplay stories of the year would have to be cosplaying from Naruto at AnimeNEXT with some friends. We were chilling in the hallway at one point, I’m in my fem Kakashi cosplay and a group of guys walk by, one of them is in a Kakashi cosplay and their friends are hyping us up with “Who’s the better Kakashi? Arm Wrestle for it !” We ended up doing a Rock-Paper-Scissor Battle and I WON as the Rock-Paper-Scissor Champion and my friends and I got super hyped. HOWEVER, I was dethroned by the same person in September at Colossalcon East and I demand a rematch for my title.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU'VE HAD TO OVERCOME BEING A COSPLAYER?

Honestly just managing my time, trying not to procrastinate too hard and overcoming my severe lack of motivation at times.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO COSPLAY?

Cosplay for you. Don’t cosplay just because you want a following, or the most likes or shares. Cosplay because it makes you happy. Cosplay because you like being creative. Cosplay because you like finding other ways to be active in your fandom. Cosplay isn’t a competition, be kind and respectful and positive. You’re allowed to buy your cosplay, you’re allowed to make your cosplay from scratch, you’re allowed to thrift your cosplay, you’re allowed to do casual cosplay. Cosplay is however you interpret it as long as you enjoy yourself. Don’t take this silly hobby or yourself too seriously. We are all just nerds in costume trying to have fun!

WHAT CHARACTER WOULD YOU LOVE TO TACKLE SOMEDAY?

Utena Tenjou from Revolutionary Girl Utena! She has been a dream cosplay from before I even started cosplaying. I’m actually trying to make her happen for Katsucon 2020. I’m aiming to do her film (Adolescence of Utena) duelist outfit. I really enjoy this anime and I always become 20x more alert and interested in any setting if someone knows about this anime.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST COSPLAY ACHIEVEMENT?

As odd as this might seem. Any cosplay groups I am a part of I consider to be some of my biggest cosplay achievements. Not only do I get to cosplay with other incredibly talented cosplayers but I manage to push myself out of my comfort zone. I’m super awkward, I’m shy and I have bad anxiety at times. I’ve been in a Naruto group with my friends, a League of Villains group from BNHA, a Pearls group from Steven Universe and a She-Ra swim group. And I always have a good time! It’s a nice way to make new friends and new connections while cosplaying from a similar series and getting myself to be more comfortable at the same time.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?

You can find me on Instagram as @galaxymermaidx!! I post cosplay, out of cosplay, my story is filled with my cats, immense validation, mental health-related topics and an abundance of positivity that I dish out constantly. You’ll probably see me post the words “Valid Salads” constantly and that’s because everyone is valid and appreciated. So if you like cosplay, cats, breaking the mental health stigma/suicide prevention awareness & validation . . . I am your individual!