Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying ?
OhMySophii : In 2009 my best friend took me to Akon in Dallas, TX! I had seen cosplay on tv before – but never thought it was something that was accessible to me. We went to Akon and the community absolutely blew me away! I fell in love instantly with dressing up and soon, with making!
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
OhMySophii : My first cosplay ever was technically a racer girl costume from Spirit Halloween, haha. I had no idea what I was getting myself into! Soon after that, once I got into the swing of things, my next cosplay was Wonder Woman!
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
OhMySophii : Aela, Skyrim. Ciri, Witcher and revamping my Warrior Barbie!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
OhMySophii : I have! I love judging contests, however competing isn’t something I do a lot of. But I intend to compete more in 2022!
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
OhMySophii : Definitely not wig working, haha. That’s a skillset I just don’t feel passionate about so I commissioned talented pals to help with some of my wigs that need more than the basic styling I am comfortable doing. I am absolutely obsessed with armor making (FOAM LYFE) and sewing!
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
OhMySophii : Specific locations, I typically do not shoot at cons.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
OhMySophii : Ciri is one I keep returning to and enjoy making new versions of!
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
OhMySophii : That’s a tough one! I adore so many incredibly talented people! If I had to pick just a couple – Knightmage, Jennifer Van Damsel, Blood Raven, Papa Bear, Hendo Art, SKS Props, Danica Rockwood, Akakioga.. there’s just so many!
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
OhMySophii : I would say my Dragon Carved Armor (a Skyrim mod) for my upcoming Aela cosplay!
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
OhMySophii : 1. Wood glue is a FANTASTIC primer, filler and sealer! 2. Let that contact cement DRY for a bit or it won’t adhere as you need it too 3. Having the correct fabric for a specific garment is more important than you realize when getting started. Do that research!
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
OhMySophii :I’m going to say… Warrior Barbie!
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
OhMySophii : Oh man. Back to that contact cement. In 2015 I made Bellona from Smite. My first big armor build ever. I was so proud of it! But, I built it very fast and was very impatient. When I started putting it on at the convention I was guesting at, straps began falling off. I did what I could to keep them on. And then I went outside…and it was very windy… and basically my entire costume fell off of me. Heartbroken!
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
OhMySophii : I was judging the contest at Wizard World St Louis in 2019 (maybe 2018??) and as they announced me to walk across the stage, my platform boot for Warrior Barbie detached and flipped underneath my foot as I took a step across the stage. I FLEW across the stage and somehow managed to catch myself. It was mortifying and hilarious, haha.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
OhMySophii : Any of them with children honestly! I don’t do much ‘in character’ play outside of Tiktok and socials, but when kids run up and think I am that character – we’re going to have the best conversation!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
OhMySophii :I have not BUT I have been trying to convince my nana to let me make her Catwoman, haha.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
OhMySophii : Gosh, that’s a tough one. If I had to pick on single image – it would probably be the image of me as Herod, sitting on the rock with my battle ax. I felt so badass in that cosplay
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
OhMySophii : Joanns for materials! And probably Miccostumes for purchasing pre-made costumes quickly.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
OhMySophii : I rarely buy pre-styled. I have a pal, Blue Can Cosplay, who styles my wigs and they are amazing!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
OhMySophii : Years and years ago I used to cosplay Lady Deadpool. I had a group of people run up to me at A-Kon excited to get a photo with…. SuperWoman.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
OhMySophii : Ope, there are too many! I will try… but I’ve been doing this a long, long time haha. Raven, Sorin, Herod, Starfire, Barbie, Nathan Drake, Ciri, Triss, Yennefer, Sailor Moon, Sailor Uranus, Sailor Venus, Sailor Mercury, Jester, Vex’ahlia, Mary Jane, Spider Gwen, Roadhog, B.Va, Soldier 76, Dark Brotherhood, Aela, Hinata, Bulma, Android 18, Tifa, Cloud, Vincent Valentine, Paine, Rikku, Veigar, Cubone, Dragonair, Pikachu, Umbreon, Espeon, Princess Peach, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Deku, Bellona, Samus, Asuka, Rei, Scarlet Witch, Tinkerbell, Faye Valentine, 02, Beast Boy, Ty Lee, Lord Sesshomaru, Hellgirl, Lady Deadpool, Sonic, Zatanna, Aerith, Mjoll, Black Cat and a TON of OCs.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
OhMySophii : Probably C2E2!
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
OhMySophii : I much prefer to have some props! They’re fun to make and really elevate a costume. Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
OhMySophii : So many lost spikes. RIP.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con? OhMySophii :I don’t think I have!
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
OhMySophii : A GROUPPP! The more, the merrier!
Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
OhMySophii : I have and I just chat with them about the craft, what I enjoy most about their work and how they inspire me
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
OhMySophii : Loads of them! I also do build and marketing workshops and master classes!
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
OhMySophii : Make!
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
OhMySophii : Stop being so hard on yourself! Everyone makes mistakes, just keep going <3 30: What is your ultimate dream cosplay? RAIDEN! METAL GEAR SOLID! I AM THE LIGHTNING, THE RAIN TRANSFORMED!
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
OhMySophii : I would say it is the Dragon Carved Armor I am currently still working on. I just keep finding ways I can upgrade/do better so I basically keep starting over.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
OhMySophii : JESTER! Bodypaint is not my forte. But I am working on it!
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
OhMySophii : That’s a tough one because professional cosplay has so many different avenues for different people, skills and goals. Some professional cosplayers are makers, some are models. Some are makeup artists and some are just incredibly positive community personalities. I considered myself a professional costume designer when that became my full time job.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
OhMySophii :The PEOPLE. Obviously I love making. But I don’t want to just make and sit at home in my creations. I want to get out there and meet other creators and cosplayers, see their work up close and be with the community!
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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.
