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
NocedoPhoto Media Group is an innovative and creative consortium that unites photographers, writers, cosplayers, event promoters, vendors, costume and prop makers, and other creatives under one roof to use their collective skills to maximize their distribution and presence on digital media platforms. Their goal is to create a well-rounded and successful network for all involved.
