Cosplayer of the Week: Trisha Lou

Leo Nocedo :  How did you discover cosplaying?

Trisha Lou : I’ve always loved doing costumes. Once I discovered volunteering opportunities in cosplaying characters for local non-profits, such as Costumers with a Cause & the 501st garison, I decided to do it as an opportunity to serve in the community. I love bringing smiles to children & families.

Leo Nocedo :  What was your first cosplay?

Trisha Lou : The evil fairy from Sleeping Beauty,

Maleficient. She is such an intriguing character & she is super fun to cosplay.

I get be cheeky and call the kids my little beasties.

Leo Nocedo :  What are your next 3 cosplay plans?

Trisha Lou :  I plan to do Hela from Thor. I want to do a custom Hela inspired from the movies & comics.

Another version of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  The Citizen armor from season 7.

I am also working on a custom Star Wars Mandalorian of the Togruta species.

Leo Nocedo :  Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?

Trisha Lou : I entered my first contest in 2020 as Ahsoka Tano from Rebels. I did it just for fun and got 2nd place.

Leo Nocedo :  Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?

Trisha Lou : Armor is what I love to make. I love how you can create something awesome from a roll of foam, or a 3D print.

Leo Nocedo :  Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?

  Trisha Lou : Most of my shoots are on the job at volunteer events for kids, if I have time. So I am lacking in the photo shoot department.

Leo Nocedo :  Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?

Trisha Lou : Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars Rebels.  She is so inspiring and I love everything she stands for. The Florida Garison of the 501st has plenty of volunteer opportunities for me. I try to do as many as I can as Ahsoka.

Leo Nocedo :  Do you have any favorite cosplayers?

Trisha Lou : My husband. Best pirate on the seven seas.

Leo Nocedo :  What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?

Trisha Lou :The Star Wars Mandalorian Togruta character of my own creation. I am still working on it, but it will be my most detailed work, with countless hours in the headpeice alone.

Leo Nocedo :  What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?

Trisha Lou : Always use adhesives you test out first in the heat. Have patience when it comes to painting and sanding 3D prints. Learn as much as you can before starting a project.

Leo Nocedo :  What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?

Trisha Lou : Genderbend Tanjiro from Demon Slayer. He is such an inspirational character. I love his kindness, loyalty, and love for others. It also has to be the most comfortable cosplay I’ve ever worn.

Leo Nocedo :  What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?

Trisha Lou :Using body paint that is supposed to be water proof & sweat proof, only to lift my arms & its gone! I laugh about it now, but I couldn’t lift my arms for any pictures.

Leo Nocedo :  What’s your funniest cosplay story?

Trisha Lou : I was volunteering for a children’s non profit, where we interact with kids who are in the hospital. I was Ariel from the Little Mermaid. This little girl started drilling me with questions about my character. Stuff only a hard core fan of Ariel would know. Like the name & age of her daughter, etc. I aced that test, cause I am a HUGE Disney nerd, and always study up on my characters I cosplay. It cracks me up how impressed she was that I knew the answers to everything she threw at me.

Leo Nocedo :  What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?

Trisha Lou : I was cosplaying Elsa at a charity event, when a little 4 year old girl saw me from across the way, and started yelling and running at me saying, “I knew you would come see me!” She was so excited to see me and it warms my heart when children are so happy to see their favorite characters.

Leo Nocedo :  Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?

Trisha Lou :Just recently my husband and I cosplayed as pirates. We were part of a scavenger hunt in St. Augustine, Fl. We were stationed by the Bridge of Lions, where we were to be discovered by clues solved by the birthday boy. It was an amazing time walking around and interacting as pirates with the kids on St. George St.

Leo Nocedo :  What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?

Trisha Lou : I’m really terrible at remembering to take photos, so they are limited, but I had a lot of fun as Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy. She has amazing contrasting colors, and I like colorful pictures.

Leo Nocedo :  What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?

Trisha Lou : I get my supplies from local craft stores & sometimes Etsy. I love to hit up the thrift stores as well. Support local charities and get a good deal.

Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?

Trisha Lou :Most of the wigs I use, I style myself. I’ve cut, glued, and dyed many different hair peices.

Leo Nocedo :  Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?

Trisha Lou : Not yet. Although Ahsoka Tano is becoming more popular lately, some people just don’t know who I am.

Leo Nocedo :List all the cosplays you’ve done.

Trisha Lou : 
Wonder Woman Golden Eagle Armor

Ahoska Tano Rebels

Super Girl

Maleficent

Ariel the Little Mermaid Village dress

Elsa first movie ice dress

Elsa coronation dress

Elivia the Elf (my own D&D character)

Gamora Guardians of the Galaxy

Tanjiro Komado Demon Slayer

Athena the pirate assassin, (my own character)

Leo Nocedo :  What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?

Trisha Lou :Megacon was definitely the biggest event I’ve ever volunteered at. I joined Star Wars the 501st Florida Garison last year. I was there as Ahsoka Tano from Rebels.

Leo Nocedo :  Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?

  Trisha Lou :I prefer to have props! I love swords, staffs, blasters, etc. I train in martial arts & weapons, so cosplaying with them, and spinning weapons around is so fun.

Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?

Trisha Lou :Not yet!

Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?

Trisha Lou : No. Although there are some beautiful peices at cons, I haven’t seen anything I wanted, that I couldn’t just make myself for less.

Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Trisha Lou : I love to be in a group. I think it is so fun to hang out with others who share the same interests.

Leo Nocedo :  Have you ever done a cosplay panel?

Trisha Lou :No, I’m pretty new to this still.

Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?

Trisha Lou : I prefer making over buying, just because my standards are a bit high. Anything I have bought in the past, I have had to heavily modify.

Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?

Trisha Lou : Get plenty of rest before and after an event.

Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?

Trisha Lou : To make motorized wings for my Maleficent cosplay. Maybe one day…

Leo Nocedo :  What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)

Trisha Lou : Definitely Ahsoka Tano. The makeup alone takes 3 hours. Wearing her armor can be difficult, as you can’t sit down. Holding her dual light sabers for long periods of time, makes my arms and hands hurt.

Leo Nocedo :  What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?

Trisha Lou : Gamora for sure! Prothetics along with green airbrush paints. She takes about 4 hours to do.

Leo Nocedo :  What is your favorite part of cosplaying?

Trisha Lou : Bringing happiness and joy to those around me. Along with raising funds for those in need. Give Kids the World is one of my favorite charities to raise money for.

Leo Nocedo :  Make up your own question!

Trisha Lou : I spend countless hours cosplaying, but it truly brings me joy. I love the characters I cosplay, and I love making children happy. Sometimes these kids are hospitalized, or fighting illness at home. If I can make them forget their troubles, even for just a little while, that is what I love about cosplaying.