For the first Firebird Feature, it seemed only natural to talk to the Dallas-area cosplayer I have worked with more than any other to date. BCharlotteD can be found at comic and anime conventions throughout the Metroplex area. She was also recently cast as Harley Quinn in the Wonder Woman 1999 fan film. Thankfully, she was able to find some time in her busy schedule to answer a few questions.
What initially got you interested in cosplay?
I grew up doing theater all my life and wanting to pursue it. Eventually I found cosplay through social media and thought it looked amazing and really wanted to be a part of the community. It took me a few years to actually get the confidence to start but I eventually did with a push from a friend!
What was your first convention cosplay experience like?
Honestly it was life changing! I went to MegaCon as Lucy from Fairy Tail and really didn’t know what to expect. I was swarmed by Fairy Tail fans as we passed a meet-up for the anime. It was just amazing to see all people react to my costume (even though it was awful) and have them really force me into the shoot they where having! The whole rest of the convention we all hung out and needed out over anime. When walking around people accepted my cosplay and just wanted to talk, I had never felt so accepted in my life.
What aspect of cosplay do you most enjoy?
The friends and genuine acceptance really is the best part for me. As an outcast in normal life, this is really where I get to be myself and let loose. I don’t have to pretend to be someone or really hide myself like I used to. It has allowed me to make a new family and friends. I love having people come together for something we are passionate for.
What has been your favorite encounter with another fan while cosplaying?
I have had some amazing interactions with people in cosplay. It’s really hard to pick one but an interaction that is so memorable is when I was at Fan Days 2018 and I was dressed as Rapunzel. I was in the lobby and this little girl was twirling around and saw me from a distance. She stopped spinning as soon as she saw me and ran toward me leaving her family. Her mother of course panicked as she saw her just run off but I brought her back and had the best interaction ever finding out I was her favorite princess and she was just so happy that the lost princess went back home. It made the whole convention ten times better.
What are your favorite characters to cosplay and why?
I absolutely love to cosplay Harley Quinn because of her spunky personality and because of how much I love the character! I also love cosplaying my princess because of the kids reaction and how it can really make their day!
What character(s) have you never cosplayed, but would like to do so in the future?
I would love to cosplay some characters from anime that I grew up watching. I have a guilty pleasure of anime’s that I want to do like Shugo Chara, Tokyo Mew Mew and DN Angle. In Shugo Chara I would love to cosplay Utau and Amu. For Tokyo Mew Mew I just want to do a ton of version of Ichigo!
Where can you be found online?
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BCharlotteDCosplay/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcharlottedcosplay/
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/user/BCharlotteDl
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BCharlotteD