What city are you based in?

Houston, Texas.

Can you tell us about your first cosplay?

I started by simply doing closet cosplays, just going with what I already had. Then in 2017 I did my first official cosplay as Riri Williams aka Iron Heart from the Marvel franchise. She was made with a lot of love because it was the first time I wore a cosplay to a convention! Not many people knew who I was at the time, but for the few that did it was so exciting to take a picture with them.

Do you have a cosplay piece that you are most proud of?

One of the pieces I am most proud of is my Overhaul (MHA) mask! When I made that mask I was still very new to using EVA foam. I was truly shocked and overwhelmingly happy that it turned out so well!

What do you hope to achieve through cosplay?

I hope to achieve valuable and true friendships along with new skills. Cosplay has an amazing way of making you discover creative solutions to any problem. Along with building friendships through mutual hobbies.

If you could give any piece of advice to new cosplayers, what would it be?

That would be to be yourself and go at your own pace. Not everyone will be the best at taking photos, or building, or sewing right when they start. The important thing is that you are having fun while you create! The skills will come in time, be patient with yourself and your limitations, try not to compare your progress to others.

What would you say is the hardest part of cosplaying?

One of my personal hardships would be finding the time to make the things I want to make. Sometimes other parts of life like to get in the way of free time!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, who is your cosplay crush?

One of my cosplay crushes is a fellow Houston cosplayer Rumplestilt_seam! She is really such an amazingly talented cosplayer. I am always in awe of what she can and will create next! I highly recommend following her, not only for inspiration but also to be continuously awestruck!