Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Betty Jane : Well, I always loved playing dress up and pretending to be favorite characters as a kid and as I aged it just evolved I suppose.
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Betty Jane : Eek, forever ago, I enjoyed making up Characters and their costumes, I believe Lady Jane of Krondor Krew was my first.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Betty Jane : I’m currently improving my Ursula for Fairy Tale After Dark in Ybor this month. I want to bring the femme Punisher out again and I am looking forward to adding more characters. Any good suggestions?
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Betty Jane : No, I like to say that I complete, I don’t compete.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Betty Jane : Sewing and needlework is my jam!
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Betty Jane : Locations are so much fun, there is so much more room for creativity. But really my heart is on the stage, I prefer performing, especially dancing for the camera.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Betty Jane : I seem drawn to maternal, nurturing, leading types, I guess it’s the Momma in me, always has been. In truth, Betty Blue Jane is a character herself. Her stage personality and mannerisms are as different from my regular self as her alter ego Lady Jane.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Betty Jane : The Ybor City Sirens of course!
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Betty Jane : Not actually for my own character, but for Walk Through Bethlehem at KABC, basically a huge LARPing Nativity in Brandon, FL. I was given the opportunity to work in the costume room with over 300 first century costumes. The Magi or Wisemen were so incredibly detailed and the effort to make them appear historically accurate, not just how the greeting card companies have told us they should look was crazy. But I loved it and accepted the role as costume director for the 2021 Walk Through Bethlehem. So instead of just working on my own character, I am now getting to help out fit over 100.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Betty Jane : [ ] Dont glue what you can sew, its easier to alter and resew stitches than dissolve glue when you want to repurpose something. [ ] Invest in a good snap tool and learn to use snap buttons. You will be glad you did. [ ] Have fun! Don’t waist time and effort on a character or piece you don’t absolutely love.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Betty Jane : Miss Frizzle by far. Even just running errands on a normal day dressed as The Frizz is a blast. I love how many adults and kids recognize her and burst into the theme song.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Betty Jane : Miss Frizzle bumped into Spiderman at a diner once. We had a great time giving a brief science lesson on gravity to guest awaiting their food.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Betty Jane : I once convinced all my family to go as the cast from the Magic School Bus, including the bus for a story time gig. My kids thought it was really fun back then, now they would probably say it was lame.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Betty Jane : Someone grabbed an amazing shot of Betty Blue Jane as the Punisher at Cosaholic Productions Nerdlesque last November and I almost didn’t recognize myself.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day? Hands free is always preferable for me.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Betty Jane : Group energy is definitely more fun. That’s largely why I joined a troop instead of going solo.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Betty Jane : Making is half the fun.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Definitely Ursula, make up is not my superpower and that witch has got a lot of it.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Betty Jane : I guess when it becomes a part of your resume, a profession that you treat like a paying job, not just a cool hobby. Or being able to execute a fantastic tassle twirl, that’s pro level stuff.
Leo Nocedo : Does Cosplay promote body positivity or mess with it?
Betty Jane : I know we like to say that the cosplay is an inclusive and accepting community, after all who but a fellow nerd would understand feeling socially awkward or doubtful about what’s in the looking glass. But even geeks have cliques and I used to get down on myself for not having the right body for a certain cosplay or pieceof costume. What total bullspit that was. It’s pretty obvious that I am full figured and fabulous but it took a while to reach this place of self love and acceptance. I see that ideal image nonsense still happening with young cosplayers today and I would love for us all to take notice of our own self talk and how we veiw others. We have a chance to be the change, let’s get on that like tassels on a pasty.
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