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

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COSPLAY?

My friend introduced me. All of her friends were cosplayers, so I really wanted to join them. After a year or so, I started getting addicted, and my wallet has never recovered since then.

WHY DO YOU LIKE COSPLAYING?

The community, the creativity and the confidence it gives me.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS TO COSPLAY SO FAR?

I absolutely love cosplaying Spider-Gwen, Aela the Huntress and Elsa. I think it's because those characters really inspire me. I want to be more like them irl as well, so I could kick some butt and save the world!

HOW DO YOU PUT TOGETHER YOUR COSTUMES?

40% buying online, 40% crafting at home and 20% tears.
No but seriously, I use so many new creative techniques when crafting and that really helps me in a lot of situations.

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

J-popcon 2019 in Denmark. That year was amazing. I was on stage for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. We did a Phineas and Ferb act, and I got to BUST some moves as Candace Flynn. And we actually won an award! But otherwise I just love all events where I can connect with people and meet fans.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE COSPLAY STORIES?

There are so many! Everything from screaming along to a kareoke song with my fellow cosplayers, crashing the local McDonald's in full cosplay, or messing around at photoshoots.

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

Definitely motivation, time and money. It can be really hard to combine work, cosplay and school. I want to work on amazing costumes, but when I finally have time/money I'm often unmotivated and tired. I'm working on finding motivation though.

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

Start out with a character that you absolutely love. Make sure the costume isn't too difficult, because otherwise you might loose motivation or be dissatisfied. The first costume is probably not gonna be super well-made, but that's not the point. The point is to have fun!
And then, find a con in your area. Cosplaying is more fun with others.

WHAT CHARACTER WOULD YOU LOVE TO TACKLE SOMEDAY?

Katniss Everdeen! The Hunger Games was the first Fandom that I really got invested in, so to make a Katniss cosplay would be so cool!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST COSPLAY ACHIEVEMENT?

The non-poetic answers: Winning two awards on stage, Dan Povenmire reposting/complementing my Candace cosplay or going semi-viral on Reddit.
The poetic one: How much confidence cosplay has given me. I actually used to hate almost everything about myself, so I have seriously evolved.