Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Cat Gladden : I discovered cosplaying back in 2013 through Ashley Eckstein’s company, Her Universe. Ashley did a vlog at a Star Wars Celebration and seeing all of the magnificent costumes made me want to start bringing characters to life!
Leo Nocedo :What was your first cosplay?
Cat Gladden : Ahsoka Tano – Her Universe’s hoodie version
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Cat Gladden : Mal from Disney’s Descendants is probably my most used cosplay but I also work with a non-profit cosplaying group called CWC: Costumers With a Cause and my most used one for them is Scarlet Witch.
Leo Nocedo :What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Cat Gladden : A couple of months ago I had a teacher friend who was hosting a cosplaying camp at her school and she asked me to suit up as Mal to talk to the class over zoom call. The look on the children’s faces when they saw Mal on screen was utterly priceless and I had to alternate between answering questions in character and as myself. It was so fun and that is why I cosplay, for the kids!
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Cat Gladden : Poshmark is weirdly enough my most used online resource for costume pieces. It’s like GoodWill but better and you get to bargain over prices. You never know what you will find and it’s the best place to find specific costume pieces. Oh and Amazon but you know Amazon.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Cat Gladden : I started cosplaying solo but back in 2018 I met this non-profit cosplaying group in Missouri called, “Heroes for Kids” and they sparked my love of bringing characters to life for kids. Fast forward a few years and I continue to work with a non-profit group called, “Costumers With a Cause” in Florida that also does amazing things for kids and families alike! I still cosplay solo from time to time though.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Cat Gladden : Yes, last year for an online Con called SEMOCON. I would like to have a do-over though because I was nervous as all get out and you could tell.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your last self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Cat Gladden : I would tell myself, “Even though you may come from a small town where people might think you weird for dreaming about making a difference through dressing up for kids, never give up because all that matters is the facial expression a child makes when they see you as their favorite character. They light up and give you the biggest hug ever. That’s all you need in life, the joy you bring to others by doing what you love.”
Cat Gladden : I discovered cosplaying back in 2013 through Ashley Eckstein’s company, Her Universe. Ashley did a vlog at a Star Wars Celebration and seeing all of the magnificent costumes made me want to start bringing characters to life!
Leo Nocedo :What was your first cosplay?
Cat Gladden : Ahsoka Tano – Her Universe’s hoodie version
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Cat Gladden : Mal from Disney’s Descendants is probably my most used cosplay but I also work with a non-profit cosplaying group called CWC: Costumers With a Cause and my most used one for them is Scarlet Witch.
Leo Nocedo :What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Cat Gladden : A couple of months ago I had a teacher friend who was hosting a cosplaying camp at her school and she asked me to suit up as Mal to talk to the class over zoom call. The look on the children’s faces when they saw Mal on screen was utterly priceless and I had to alternate between answering questions in character and as myself. It was so fun and that is why I cosplay, for the kids!
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Cat Gladden : Poshmark is weirdly enough my most used online resource for costume pieces. It’s like GoodWill but better and you get to bargain over prices. You never know what you will find and it’s the best place to find specific costume pieces. Oh and Amazon but you know Amazon.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Cat Gladden : I started cosplaying solo but back in 2018 I met this non-profit cosplaying group in Missouri called, “Heroes for Kids” and they sparked my love of bringing characters to life for kids. Fast forward a few years and I continue to work with a non-profit group called, “Costumers With a Cause” in Florida that also does amazing things for kids and families alike! I still cosplay solo from time to time though.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Cat Gladden : Yes, last year for an online Con called SEMOCON. I would like to have a do-over though because I was nervous as all get out and you could tell.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your last self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Cat Gladden : I would tell myself, “Even though you may come from a small town where people might think you weird for dreaming about making a difference through dressing up for kids, never give up because all that matters is the facial expression a child makes when they see you as their favorite character. They light up and give you the biggest hug ever. That’s all you need in life, the joy you bring to others by doing what you love.”
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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.
