Epic Nerd Shit is proud to introduce our next featured cosplayer, West Wylde Cosplyer.
ENS: Tell
me a bit about yourself.
WW: My
name is Toni Cardinale. My cosplay name is West Wylde Cosplayer. I am from
Northern California. I am an over 30, plus-sized cosplayer. I am a member of
the West Coast Avengers, a cosplay group that attends charity events. I am an Instagram
page model for Cosplay Heroes. My cosplays have been published in the online
magazine COSPLAY+ Magazine. I did the
cover and an interview for October 2015, and the cosplay spotlight in the
Spring 2016 issue.
ENS: How
did it few to be recognized and published in a magazine and featured so many
times?
WW: Getting
recognized for my cosplays is very flattering. I like to feel I bring a
positive aspect to the community. I like bringing attention to the fact that I
am older, plus size and do many things for charity. The cosplay community is
not just for certain types of cosplayers.
ENS: How
long have you been into cosplay?
WW: I have
been cosplaying since February of 2014.
ENS: How
much time and energy goes into a costume? Also cost of an average
costume, if you are comfortable sharing that?
WW: The
time going into a costume varies by degree of difficulty and how well
thought-out the project needs to be.
ENS: How
many cons have you done if any, and what was the biggest?
WW: I have
been to at least 25 conventions. My largest was just this past March on Easter
weekend, Wonder-Con at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles,
California.
ENS: Have
you ever experienced and type of negativity like body shaming or unwanted
sexual advances? If yes, how did it affect you?
WW: I have
experienced a couple of negative comments online. My reaction to them was to
delete those comments. The persons actually reposted the comments again, and I
deleted them again and blocked them. I do not feel it is necessary to
respond to online trolls, because any feedback to them just encourages them
further.
ENS: A few
weeks ago the internet was abuzz over a picture of a curvy girl dressed as
Princess Leia and all the negative comments and body shaming she received. I
always thought that cosplay wasn't limited to body types or genders, but this was
shocking to see all the negative backlash she received. What are your thoughts
on this?
WW: I
think it was great that she wore this cosplay. But when you do something that
is going to get you attention, good or bad, you need to not act like you had no
idea this would happen. Unfortunately some young people are not taught to
respect each other. We cannot change what people say, but you can choose how
you handle it. If someone is bullying you online, why are you feeling the need
to post it? For sympathy, or to get more likes and more followers? All you have
to do is delete and block them. Simple, but many people do not want to stand up
for themselves because it is not acceptable, only getting sympathy and public
shaming back at the troll is.
ENS: There
is a lot of talk in the cosplay community over the Cosplay Is Not Consent movement, and how sad it is that it even
needs to be said. What are your feelings on it?
WW: There
is a lot of controversy when it comes to Cosplay
Is Not Consent. I do not have what I feel is the politically correct
view of this. I believe that being Pg13 is ok and that leaving something
to the imagination is what makes you sexy. I do not understand the outrage when
a cosplayer is almost naked and they get upset when someone looks at them. I do
believe that "cat calling" or unwanted touching is not acceptable. I
find it interesting that you can go to a porn convention and the woman have more
clothes on then some cosplayers. The argument seems to be that people want to
be accurate to the character. I can see that for some cosplays, but I can
honestly say I have never seen a movie with Batman, Superman, or Freddie Kruger
in their bra and underwear half pulled down. If people want to cosplay model
and show these pictures on their pages, I am fine with that. I am not ok with
society being told that we have to be ok with what a small majority deems their
right.
ENS: What
is your thought process on picking characters to cosplay?
WW: I pick
characters that mean something to me personally. I like to put different twists
on my characters. At this time, I have only one "screen accurate"
character that I cosplay: Civil War Black Widow.
ENS: Any other cosplayers that influence you?
WW: My one
close cosplayer friend is well established with his Thor cosplay. He introduced
me to cosplaying for charity events, and showed me how rewarding it can be, and
how exciting it can be to get recognition from children and people attending
conventions. So many cosplayers want the fame from photographers, other
cosplayers, and social media. This is great to have, but many miss the true
satisfaction of that one child who sees you, lights-up emotionally, and wants a
picture with you.
ENS: If
cost and time wasn't an issue and you could cosplay anyone, who would you
chose?
WW: If I
didn't have to worry about time or cost, I would do a full-body-armor cosplay
of the "Lady Death" character.
You can find out more about West Wylde and view her cosplay by visiting the following links:
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