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What got you into cosplay?
I always loved dressing up as long as I could remember. I was a huge Pokemon fan so I decided to cosplay as Ash Ketchum for Halloween of '99. I also had a friend who was into anime conventions. I grew fascinated from her experiences at Anime Expo, especially with the costumes she saw at the Masquerade. I entered the Anime Expo 2000 Masquerade (my first anime convention). The next thing I knew, I was hooked!
What was your first costume and why?
My first costume was Ash Ketchum because I was a huge Pokemon fan.
What is your favorite costume and why?
I love my Lulu costume. It was my hardest costume yet the most detailed and the most intricate by far.
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
I would like to make Misato's battle uniform based off the movie concept design for the live action Neon Genesis Evangelion movie (even though the movie was put on hold). I like how Misato gets to wear a black bodysuit along with body armor. The design looks really cool even though I won't expect anyone to recognize it.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Making friends and hanging out with them at cons. Competing in Masquerades. Taking lots of pictures. Dressing up as your favorite characters.
Do you participate in masquerades?
Yes, I do. I'm a member of the USA Musume Cosplay Troupe (The Morning Musume Cosplay Troupe). I performed with them Renai Revolution 21 (Fanime 2003), Love Machine and Chokotto Love (Ani-Magic 2003), 7 Air and Chokotto Love (Ani-Magic 2004), Akagumi 4 (Ani-Magic 2005), Sakura Gumi, Otome Gumi, and Go Girl Koi no Victory (Fanime 2006). My previous Masquerades were AX2000, AX2001, AX2003, AX2004, AX2005, SDCC 2001, SDCC 2005, SDCC 2006, Ani-Magic 2001, Ani-Magic 2002, Ani-Magic 2003, Ani-Magic 2004, Ani-Magic 2005, Fanime 2002, Fanime 2003, Fanime 2006, and Katsucon 2004.
What was your best masquerade experience?
I have too many to keep track! My best Masquerade experience would have to be Anime Expo 2005. My friends and I performed to MooN Sync III. We had a complete Inner Senshi group, a Dark Kingdom Generals group, and a Tuxedo Mask. We were making a parody out of the Sailor Moon anime series by performing to teeny bopper songs. Next would be Anime Expo 2004. My friends and I dressed up as characters to Chobits and danced to "Domo Arigatou Mr. Roboto!" Anime Expo 2000 was my first Masquerade, and I had a blast! I didn't really know what I was getting myself into other than to just have fun! I also loved my experience at the San Diego Comic Con 2005 Masquerade when my friends are I performed to Disney Princes and Princesses. We had a record-breaking cast of 18 people! I loved all of my performances with USA Musume!
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Comic Con 2001 Runner-Up Award for Best Anime Workmanship - Team Rocket costumes; Ani-Magic 2001 Tristen Citrine Judge's Award - Charmy DDR 4th Mix ; Katsucon 2004 Czarina's Choice Award (Director's Award), Craftsman Honorable Mention for Documentation, and Craftsman Honorable Mention for Excellence in Reproduction - Lulu from Final Fantasy X; Anime Expo 2005 - 3rd Place Masquerade Trophy Award and Group Craftsmanship Runner-Up - MooN*Sync III (Sailor Moon Heroes and Villains); San Diego Comic Con 2005 - Masquerade Trophy for Most Humorous and the Stevenson Entertainment Group Award - Disney Princes and Princesses; Cosplay Lab February 2006 Sailor Mars Look-Alike Contest 1st Place, Anime LA 2007 Hall Cosplay Award – Rukia from Bleach
Tell us a little about yourself
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Ecology (Biology with an ecological emphasis) from the University of California at Irvine. I'm a member of the USA Musume Cosplay Troupe. My hobbies are: Horseback riding, reading literary classics, and cosplay.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Past Cons: Anime Expo '00,'01,'02,'03,'04,'05,'06, Ani-Magic '01,'02,'03,'04,'05,'06, Anime LA '06, ’07, Fanime '02,'03,'06, San Diego Comic Con '01,'05,'06, Katsucon '04, and Dragon*Con '06
My favorite anime
Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Chobits, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Naruto, Bleach, and Genshiken
My favorite game(s)
Pokemon Gameboy games, Final Fantasy X, The Sims, Super Princess Peach, and Mario Kart DS
My favorite book(s)
The Three Musketeers, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, My Brother Sam Is Dead, The Magician's Nephew
My favorite character(s)
Lulu, Misato, Sailor Mars, Temari, and Cho Chang
My favorite movies(s)
The Three Musketeers (Michael York version), Harry Potter movies, Cars, The Scarlet Pimpernel (1980), Ocean's Eleven, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Wedding Singer, Beauty and the Beast, and Anastasia
My favorite actors/actresses
Hayden Christensen, Orlando Bloom, Hugh Jackman, Christian Coulson, Daniel Radcliffe, Katie Leung, and Robert Pattinson. Let's not forget that Duran Duran is my favorite music group and I got to meet all five original members!
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United States
