MONIKA LEE -- COSPLAYING IS A LOT BETTER THAN DRUGS

Warning: The following interview I did with the great Monika Lee, contains words, pictures, and quite a bit of laughing. So if you're of a nervous disposition, please click always now. Or else you might get overwhelmed with the glamour and sassy nature of this marvelous cosplayer. You have been duly warned. Over and out.


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1) What are your own origins, Monika? Plus what path did you take in life prior to getting to where you are today?   Origins makes me sound like an epic superhero, but I’m just a normal dude that was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and here I am in Atlanta, GA! I’ve been here since I was 7 or so and I love it!

2) What are the most persistent comments you've received from your followers?   Usually it’s, “are you gonna be at so-and-so con?!” but questions vary from costume to costume. Some people will want to know how I made a certain part or where I got something, etc. I try and respond to well-crafted questions but it’s hard sometimes when there are a zillion questions, haha!

3) What is your ‘regular’ job? And does it in any way shape or form aide you as a Cosplayer?   I’m a 3rd year student majoring in Industrial Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This past summer (as well as this coming summer), I’m an intern for the licensing/business development team at Blizzard Entertainment. Some of the material processing information I've learned as an ID student has aided me a bit, but I wouldn't say it’s shaped me in any way or form.

4) How did your friends, family, and work colleagues first react to the news that you like to cosplay?   When I first started cosplaying, I’d say my parents were pretty freaked out by it. They didn’t understand the idea of it and didn’t know why I wanted to dress up and hang with strangers that ranged from 2-10+ years older than me. Now, they are more than helpful (driving me to the airport for cons, helping me with costumes, going to Dragon*Con, etc.) and I think they’re pretty thankful I’m doing something like this. I try and tell people that their kids could be doing a hell of a lot worse than wanting to dress up like anime characters or play video games.

5) How do you decide what Cosplay costume to wear for a convention? And who makes them?   I make all of my own costumes from the sewing, props/armor/accessories, to the wigs and makeup. Sometimes I’ll plan to make a costume for a specific convention if I think the timeline is feasible, but if I don’t have enough time, I’ll usually just grab something from my closet.

6) What have you learnt about yourself whilst Cosplaying? And were their any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with?   I learned that I have patience when it comes to making things and not much else, Ha! I suppose cosplay has boosted my self-esteem and social skills especially since you’re putting yourself out there for people and talking to people 24/7. The biggest obstacles for me would really be time management and budget. It’s extremely difficult to find the time to make costumes, go to cons and take full time classes without failing at everything.

7) What was the best / worst convention you ever attended?   Best con hands down is always Dragon*Con for me. It’s nerdi gras with all your best friends and everyone has incredible costumes and is just plain awesome. Close second are the cons in Canada. Everyone there is extremely accommodating and so very nice. As for worst con, I most definitely won’t say because that would be pretty unfair to the people who run / organize their con, He!

8) What would be your dream Cosplay gig and outfit?   Dream costumes are Kerrigan from Starcraft 2 and Fran from Final Fantasy XII. 

9) Has their ever been an outfit you just did not like wearing? And if so, why?   Oh tons. It usually happens if a costume was rushed and I was just unhappy with how it turned out. I hate doing things over too so if I keep messing up on something and it doesn’t turn out well, I’ll usually put it aside for a long time. Which is super depressing sounding, Ha!

So there you have it, dear reader. My pal Monika Lee and her life as a cosplayer. When you have the time please click on over to her facebook and twitter page and check out her great costumes. Trust me, pal. She's one hell of a versatile lady.