In 2014 I decided to make a video of me going to Otakon. CJ (AKA Twisted Cosplay) was one of the cosplayers in my video (check out that video below). This year CJ was nice enough to let me room with her and her friends (which is how I met TK Cosplay and Snax Return). So a big shouts out to CJ because she is awesome and I appreciate the fact that you were willing to do an interview with me! Check out my interview with CJ, the mastermind behind Twisted Cosplay.
Taiwan: CJ can you tell the people a bit about yourself.
Twisted Cosplay: Hello World! My name is Twisted Cosplay. I'm a cosplayer from the East Coast. I love long walks on the beach...no not really. I'm 24 and enjoy cosplaying and making new friends at cons. That's the main reason I go. I have found something I'm good at, and my first costume, Narusuke, received a lot of attention for its creativity. I get many messages and comments from fans all over the world asking if I'll be at conventions as Narusuke.
Taiwan: When did you start cosplaying?
Twisted Cosplay: I started cosplaying back in 2008 but had no clue it was called cosplaying. I just bought a random Naruto Jacket and Headband at the store, after that, I watched videos online and heard about cons. I started my very first cosplay in 2010 at my first con ever, Otakon. I didn't want to be another Narutard Clone (no offense). I wanted to be different and creative. So I came up with Narusuke-Half Naruto Half Sasuke. Everybody loves this cosplay. Hey! I Love it!
Taiwan: Why did you want to start cosplaying?
Twisted Cosplay: I wanted to cosplay because I saw everyone having fun at something they enjoyed and loved doing. Plus I got to be different and act just like whoever I cosplayed as. I've always been a little shy and felt like I didn't fit in with my peers. But when I wear a costume, I have confidence and enjoy myself.
Taiwan: Do you make your own cosplay or do you prefer to buy cosplay?
Twisted Cosplay: Make or Buy? Both....I buy and work off of it. I can only really Top-Stitch so my mom helps me with the rest. Sometimes my friends commission for me when I need help or in a rush or can't find what I need in time. Friends are always helpful in these situations.
Taiwan: Where do you buy your cosplay from?
Twisted Cosplay: First of all, when buying cosplays online, do a TON of research. Ask friends about sellers and cosplay sites. Make sure you know your measurements and sizes. I've had a few cosplays come smaller than what I ordered. So make sure you pick the right sizes. Research everything before buying!! If you or a friend have never bought from a place before, look at the reviews. They help! When I buy cosplay, it's usually from Ebay, Amazon or my friends.
Taiwan: Do your family and friends know that you cosplay and how do they feel about it?
Twisted Cosplay: My family is glad I cosplay. They support me in every way that they can. My mom helps with my cosplays when I have no clue what to do. They're just glad I'm having fun in life.
Taiwan: What type of challenges do you face when cosplaying?
Twisted Cosplay: Cosplayers, and not just me, have ups and downs when it comes to cosplaying: depending on the weather is hot or cold; how well our cosplays hold up; how we're feeling (sick or not); wanting to bring our cosplays/wear them that day; makeup that isn't going on the way it looks in the pictures. There is a lot of trial and error to get the cosplay/makeup just right. Some of my best ideas come from my biggest mistakes. I've also gotten a lot of help/support from other cosplayers when I need ideas on and how to make my cosplays work.
Taiwan: Are there any cosplayers that you look up too?
Twisted Cosplay: Cosplayers I look up to....Hmm....I have 2, but they are well known groups on Youtube: Koi Cosplay and Fighting Dreamers Pro. Both groups got me into cosplaying and more anime. In 2007/2008 I randomly came across Koi Cosplay first when searching for Naruto. Then Fighting Dreamers came up later. I watched all their videos and then learned about cosplaying and cons. Thanks to them, I'm a BIG Naruto Fan. They were my inspiration into the cosplay world. If I could meet them in person to thank them, I would. But I can just do that online since we’re good friends.
Taiwan: Has anyone ever traveled from a far place to meet you at an anime convention?
Twisted Cosplay: Tons of people have come from different states and countries just to meet me at Otakon or Katsucon. Otakon 2013 was my first time meeting new friends from Japan, Germany, Spain and England. They all said they came just to meet and hangout with me. There were tears involved, but in a good way. I hope to travel the world and meet new friends at cons.
Taiwan: Do you have any goals that are cosplay related?
Twisted Cosplay: For Goals right now...I honestly don't have any. I may have some in the future, but right now I just want to have fun.
Taiwan: Is there anything that you would like to tell people that are reading this?
Twisted Cosplay: Always follow your dreams. Be who you want to be and don't let others put you down. If you want to cosplay as your favorite character and someone tells you otherwise, just ignore them. You'll look awesome no matter what. Forget what others say about your gender, race, and size because you'll prove them wrong and look and feel how you want to be.
Taiwan: Where can people find you at (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to keep up with you and to find out what anime conventions that you're going to?
Twisted Cosplay:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/twistedcosplay
World Cosplay: worldcosplay.net/member/twistedcosplay
Instagram: Twisted Cosplay
Deviantart: browniewaseaten.devianart.com
(Long story on the name. don't ask)
Taiwan: CJ can you tell the people a bit about yourself.
Twisted Cosplay: Hello World! My name is Twisted Cosplay. I'm a cosplayer from the East Coast. I love long walks on the beach...no not really. I'm 24 and enjoy cosplaying and making new friends at cons. That's the main reason I go. I have found something I'm good at, and my first costume, Narusuke, received a lot of attention for its creativity. I get many messages and comments from fans all over the world asking if I'll be at conventions as Narusuke.
Taiwan: When did you start cosplaying?
Twisted Cosplay: I started cosplaying back in 2008 but had no clue it was called cosplaying. I just bought a random Naruto Jacket and Headband at the store, after that, I watched videos online and heard about cons. I started my very first cosplay in 2010 at my first con ever, Otakon. I didn't want to be another Narutard Clone (no offense). I wanted to be different and creative. So I came up with Narusuke-Half Naruto Half Sasuke. Everybody loves this cosplay. Hey! I Love it!
Taiwan: Why did you want to start cosplaying? Twisted Cosplay: I wanted to cosplay because I saw everyone having fun at something they enjoyed and loved doing. Plus I got to be different and act just like whoever I cosplayed as. I've always been a little shy and felt like I didn't fit in with my peers. But when I wear a costume, I have confidence and enjoy myself.
Taiwan: Do you make your own cosplay or do you prefer to buy cosplay?
Twisted Cosplay: Make or Buy? Both....I buy and work off of it. I can only really Top-Stitch so my mom helps me with the rest. Sometimes my friends commission for me when I need help or in a rush or can't find what I need in time. Friends are always helpful in these situations.
Taiwan: Where do you buy your cosplay from?
Twisted Cosplay: First of all, when buying cosplays online, do a TON of research. Ask friends about sellers and cosplay sites. Make sure you know your measurements and sizes. I've had a few cosplays come smaller than what I ordered. So make sure you pick the right sizes. Research everything before buying!! If you or a friend have never bought from a place before, look at the reviews. They help! When I buy cosplay, it's usually from Ebay, Amazon or my friends.
Taiwan: Do your family and friends know that you cosplay and how do they feel about it?
Twisted Cosplay: My family is glad I cosplay. They support me in every way that they can. My mom helps with my cosplays when I have no clue what to do. They're just glad I'm having fun in life.
Taiwan: What type of challenges do you face when cosplaying?
Twisted Cosplay: Cosplayers, and not just me, have ups and downs when it comes to cosplaying: depending on the weather is hot or cold; how well our cosplays hold up; how we're feeling (sick or not); wanting to bring our cosplays/wear them that day; makeup that isn't going on the way it looks in the pictures. There is a lot of trial and error to get the cosplay/makeup just right. Some of my best ideas come from my biggest mistakes. I've also gotten a lot of help/support from other cosplayers when I need ideas on and how to make my cosplays work.
Taiwan: Are there any cosplayers that you look up too?
Twisted Cosplay: Cosplayers I look up to....Hmm....I have 2, but they are well known groups on Youtube: Koi Cosplay and Fighting Dreamers Pro. Both groups got me into cosplaying and more anime. In 2007/2008 I randomly came across Koi Cosplay first when searching for Naruto. Then Fighting Dreamers came up later. I watched all their videos and then learned about cosplaying and cons. Thanks to them, I'm a BIG Naruto Fan. They were my inspiration into the cosplay world. If I could meet them in person to thank them, I would. But I can just do that online since we’re good friends.
Taiwan: Has anyone ever traveled from a far place to meet you at an anime convention? Twisted Cosplay: Tons of people have come from different states and countries just to meet me at Otakon or Katsucon. Otakon 2013 was my first time meeting new friends from Japan, Germany, Spain and England. They all said they came just to meet and hangout with me. There were tears involved, but in a good way. I hope to travel the world and meet new friends at cons.
Taiwan: Do you have any goals that are cosplay related?
Twisted Cosplay: For Goals right now...I honestly don't have any. I may have some in the future, but right now I just want to have fun.
Taiwan: Is there anything that you would like to tell people that are reading this?
Twisted Cosplay: Always follow your dreams. Be who you want to be and don't let others put you down. If you want to cosplay as your favorite character and someone tells you otherwise, just ignore them. You'll look awesome no matter what. Forget what others say about your gender, race, and size because you'll prove them wrong and look and feel how you want to be.
Taiwan: Where can people find you at (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to keep up with you and to find out what anime conventions that you're going to?
Twisted Cosplay:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/twistedcosplay
World Cosplay: worldcosplay.net/member/twistedcosplay
Instagram: Twisted Cosplay
Deviantart: browniewaseaten.devianart.com
(Long story on the name. don't ask)
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Interviews
