Cosplayer Interview

Cosplayer Of The Week: Chula A. Belle

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. 😉⚡

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