What city are you based in?

I am based in San Antonio.

Can you tell us about your first cosplay?

My first cosplay was at a Halloween cosplay photography meetup and I went as Green Lantern. It was the first time I put on a Lycra/spandex suit and it was painful to watch! I had the hardest time pulling the suit over my head and I needed help to overcome this feat. If I did not have assistance, that probably would have been my first and last cosplay! Anyway, the photographers made me super comfortable and it was a joyous time.

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

The cosplay piece I am most proud of is Aquaman. Jason Momoa’s version inspired me to cosplay this character. I loved how he took a character who was the butt of many jokes and made him a cool! Honestly, I did have reservations portraying this character because how it would be received – a black man cosplaying a “white” character. I am glad that I powered through my fears because the praise it received was phenomenal! It caught the eye of the team at SyFy Wire and they interviewed me as part of their “Fan Creator Fridays” in 2019.

What do you hope to achieve through cosplay?

What I hope to achieve through cosplay is a mantra that no one can put limits on your imagination. Cosplay is a welcome escapism from unpleasantries that reality can bring. Cosplay has allowed me to forge new friendships, contacts, and hopefully open doors to new and greater opportunities.

Is there a cosplayer that you look up to or inspires you?

There are many cosplayers that I look up to and who inspire me. Each time I am asked this question, I mention a new person. This time it is Alyson Tabbitha (@alysontabbitha). Alyson was the first verified account that not only liked one of my posts but followed me! Verified accounts sometimes feel “untouchable”. For her to like, follow, and respond to my stories and comments made me feel special. Even at her stature, she made me feel like I belong. I have never met her, but how she made me feel, I pay-it-forward to those who are just starting out and nervous like I was. We are all one big cosplay family!

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

The advice I would give to new cosplayers is this, “The character you are portraying… isn’t real!” Do not be afraid to make the character your own! Put your own spin and style on it! The day you should take cosplaying seriously is the day cosplay becomes your primary source of income. The chance of that happening is highly improbable. So, loosen up and have fun!

What would you say is the hardest part of cosplaying?

The hardest part of cosplay is fending off body shamers, sexism, ageism, basically all the -isms! Personally, for me is getting people to see me as the character and not the “black” version. When I cosplay Aquaman, I am not black Aquaman or Aqualad – I am Aquaman!

Is there a cosplay piece you’re currently working on? 

I am like most cosplayers who are working on many cosplays at the same time! Con Crunch is real! My top three right now are (subject to change): Moon Knight (Marvel), Dark Feys (Maleficent 2), and Snake Eyes (GI Joe).