The End of a Cosplay Era

They say that all good things must come to an end. After 10 years of cosplay awesomeness and two cosplay contest victories, I recently attended my final con ever as a cosplayer. This was BentonvilleCon in Bentonville, Arkansas. It was a one-day fun-filled event with cosplays, pop culture vendors, special guests, a video game tournament, a gaming room, and a cosplay contest. My final cosplay was Baseball Hall of Famer, Reggie Jackson along with a 3-D printed World Series trophy created by my long-time cosplay craftsman. I entered the Four Points Hotel, where the convention was held, with both happiness and sadness, being it would be the final time I stepped foot inside of a venue as a cosplayer. During my time there, I was interviewed by a local news station about what being a cosplayer meant to me and attending my last convention. To end this eventful day, I participated in my final cosplay contest. While I didn't win any awards, I won the hearts of the attendees and everyone else at the event. After that, I left the event and headed home, closing the chapter to a 10-year cosplay journey that has been filled with wonderful memories I'll remember forever.

One day after attending my final con, I wrote a heartfelt letter to many of my favorite cosplayers that I posted on Instagram and also in my stories, which you can see above. Notice I didn't use the word goodbye. The reason for that is because I prefer saying that it's the end of a eventful cosplay journey. Saying goodbye to cosplay seemed too depressing. I wanted to write this from the heart as a way of showing my gratitude and appreciation for cosplay. I've received an overwhelming amount of support from fellow cosplayers, wishing me all the best in my endeavors. There's no doubt that I'll always be connected to the cosplay community. I might volunteer at a con someday, to make a difference in my community. You never know. I know that I've inspired so many lives through my cosplays. They say to leave behind a legacy and now that I'm a former cosplayer, I'm doing just that.

I've done over three dozen cosplays, with some of them I debuted at cons. The one word I can describe my decade-long cosplay journey is appreciative. The friends and other people I've met at cons has been a joy. Attending a convention was like nerd heaven to me and the atmosphere being joyous. As stated in my aforementioned letter, I was late entering into the cosplay game. A year before I started doing cosplay, I jokingly said that I would never become "one of those weirdos". The weirdos meaning cosplayers. Eventually, I had an open mind and was interested in it. I was severely bullied as a kid and was basically the nerdiest one in my family. I wanted to do an activity that would allow me to express myself. That's where my love for cosplay came into my life. Some of the people I've met along the way have and will always be my friends. I'll never forget the fun memories I've met at cons and also Free Comic Book Day events, which I attended my final one as a cosplayer back in May. I'll still attend that event every year, but as a former cosplayer. It's been a fun ride and cosplay will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks to those who have been part of my cosplay journey. You have been the reason why I kept on doing what I loved for the past 10 years, but alas, I must move on to pursue other hobbies and also focus on current ones. Much love to all of you.

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