Leo Nocedo: How did you discover cosplaying?
Leyna Rossi: I attended MegaCon Orlando.
Leo Nocedo: What was your first cosplay?
Leyna Rossi: Chell from the Portal video games.
Leo Nocedo: What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Leyna Rossi: Nathanos for my fiance, Azshara for me, 3rd tbd.
Leo Nocedo: Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Leyna Rossi: Competed 4 times, won my category twice. (One for video games Auriel from Diablo 3) and one for TV series (Weeping Angel from Doctor Who).
Leo Nocedo: Do you prefer sewing, making armor, or wig working?
Leyna Rossi: Making armor.
Leo Nocedo: Do you prefer to do photo shoots at cons or at specific locations?
Leyna Rossi: Whenever I go out I scope out new potential photo places, but if someone wants a photo I’ll do it for them regardless of location.
Leo Nocedo: Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Leyna Rossi: Blizzard video game characters: Sylvanas from Warcraft, Auriel from Diablo 3.
Leo Nocedo: Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Leyna Rossi: Not really
Leo Nocedo: What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Leyna Rossi: Auriel.
Leo Nocedo: What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Leyna Rossi: Be prepared to make the same piece multiple times, dont freak out if a costume breaks while wearing, dont be afraid to try something new: best way to learn is try, fail, try again.
Leo Nocedo: What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Leyna Rossi: Sylvanas from Warcraft.
Leo Nocedo: What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Leyna Rossi: Competing in the cosplay contest are Tampa Comic Con in 2019, my Auriel wing backpack snapped in half after I walked the stage.
Leo Nocedo: What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Leyna Rossi: Running into other Diablo cosplayers by chance and putting together an impromptu group photo.
Leo Nocedo: What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Leyna Rossi: I love when little kids run to me and say I’m their favorite character. The smiles are worth all the hard work.
Leo Nocedo: Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Leyna Rossi: Working on one for my fiance so we can cosplay together at MegaCon 2020.
Leo Nocedo: What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself ?
Leyna Rossi: My professional Auriel photos that were taken by MegaCon for the contest in 2019.
Leo Nocedo: What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Leyna Rossi: Amazon.
Leo Nocedo: Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Leyna Rossi: Style my own.
Leo Nocedo: Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Leyna Rossi: People rarely know who my character are, but someone did think Sylvanas was from Star Wars.
Leo Nocedo: List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Leyna Rossi: Chell from Portal, Weeping Angel from Dr Who, Bellatrix from Harry Potter, Sylvanas from Warcraft, Auriel from Diablo.
Leo Nocedo: What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Leyna Rossi: MegaCon Orlando.
Leo Nocedo: Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Leyna Rossi: I love props, so always happy to carry if they are true to the character.
Leo Nocedo: Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Leyna Rossi: Nope!
Leo Nocedo: Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Leyna Rossi: Nope!
Leo Nocedo: Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Leyna Rossi: Have only displayed solo, but would love a group.
Leo Nocedo: If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Leyna Rossi: I would ask them for cosplay advice.
Leo Nocedo: Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Leyna Rossi: No, but would love to.
Leo Nocedo: Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Leyna Rossi: Making by 100%
Leo Nocedo: If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Leyna Rossi: Be prepared to fail and spend a lot of money.
Leo Nocedo: What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Leyna Rossi: To become somewhat known in the cosplay community.
Leo Nocedo: What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect).
Leyna Rossi: Definitely Auriel, finished her at 3am day of the con. The whole cosplay weighs close to 50 pounds and the wings require me to crab walk through doors.
Leo Nocedo: What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Leyna Rossi: Sylvanas, that full body paint is a killer in Florida weather.
Leo Nocedo: What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Leyna Rossi: Being noticed repeatedly at cons, year after year.
Leo Nocedo: What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Leyna Rossi: Making people smile and happy.
Leo Nocedo: Make up your own question!what’s the worst part of cosplaying?
Leyna Rossi: The money investment. Good cosplays cost ALOT!
NocedoPhoto Media Group
Leo Nocedo is a cosplay photographer who has been using a camera for the last forty years in many forms , in the military and professional studios in Miami and New York city . He got his start in cosplay photography attending conventions with his brother Juan Nocedo . He keeps on doing what he does to honor his late brother .
