Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Chula A. Belle : Back in 2000 somehow a con found out I owned the Pikachu car and asked if I could come and display it, never knew event’s like this existed and over 20 years later PikaBug still makes appearances at cons and events throughout the USA.
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Chula A. Belle : Jessie from Team Rocket but I did work as a costumed performer at Disney in the 90s before cons.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Chula A. Belle : More Pokemon
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Chula A. Belle : Several and won numerous awards through the years, in the past 15 years though I am on the other side being a cosplay judge.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Chula A. Belle : All of the above although I am known for my Pokemon ballgown creations.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photo shoots at cons or at specific locations?
Chula A. Belle : I prefer them in nature or background settings that would fit whatever character I am portraying.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Chula A. Belle : Most known for Pokemon and have over 60 Pokemon cosplays, I have also done Disney, Horror, Video Games and Original.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Chula A. Belle : There’s a couple
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Chula A. Belle : My ballgowns based on Pokemon, I try to include all aspects of each Pokémon into my designs.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Chula A. Belle : Trial and Error, patience and when I first started I would find outfits at goodwill totally tear them apart to create something out of it.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Chula A. Belle : My pikachu princess ballgown, its my most known and I have done several versions through the years.
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Chula A. Belle : Preforming a skit in 2001 and when my arms went up my top came down and for a split second everyone saw pika nips. I was quick and held my pikachu plush up against me quick.
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Chula A. Belle : Getting pulled over as Ash Ketchum driving PikaBug after a horror photo shoot where I created a possessed version of the character and I was all bloody and had a real knife on the passenger seat. Cop thought it was funny and took a pic, still have that photo today.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Chula A. Belle : Whenever I make appearances at hospitals for children as Disney Characters or Pokemon. My most standout one was a boy named Dylan who was very sick and only had a week to live, his wish was to see pokemon characters and I went to see him as Ash and had Pikachu and a few other characters with me. I brought pikabug but he was not doing well that day to be wheeled down to see the car. I presented him with a big poster board and autographed every Pokemon characters name on it for him. Later he passed away 4 days after I saw him and his mom thanked me by giving me a 12 feet long cutout poster of pikachu of which I hang proudly in my Chuseum.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Chula A. Belle : My chihuahua was my Akamaru when I cosplayed as Kiba.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Chula A. Belle : There’s a few my bf has taken of me that is really cool, my favorite is me as mimikyu we took in creepy woods complete with black light and a smoke machine.
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Chula A. Belle : Thrift stores, craft stores
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Chula A. Belle : I’ve done both
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Chula A. Belle : Yes, everytime I wear Sorceress Mimikyu I get called Rita Repulsa.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done. I have over 80 in the 20 plus years I have cosplayed, way too many to list.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Chula A. Belle : Dragon Con, pikabug was even in the parade one year.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Chula A. Belle : I do both but even carrying Chula around with me all day her butt gets heavy.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Chula A. Belle : Several times, forget them in hotels usually.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Chula A. Belle : Yes
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Chula A. Belle : Both
Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Chula A. Belle : Why do you like to cosplay?
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Chula A. Belle : Been doing panels at cons for over 20 years
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Chula A. Belle : Make, love the challenge and bringing characters to life with my own hands.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Chula A. Belle : Don’t like the color yellow
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Chula A. Belle : To be in one of the official Pikachu mascot costumes.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Chula A. Belle : Mascot Mimikyu that my bf and I created together, it is so heavy and hot he can only stand to be in it 15 minutes. We are remaking it though. I also made a life-sized Shippuden Akzmaru that was quite the challenge to make, i used to ride on him
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Chula A. Belle : Curse mark Sasuke
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Chula A. Belle : Several years of experience behind them, to be nice, support everyone and not judge on others cosplays.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Chula A. Belle : Escaping reality and being somebody else.
Leo Nocedo : Make up your own question!
Chula A. Belle : Besides cosplay what are your other hobbies?
Collecting Pikachu. 
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.
