In the eternal words of "Revenge of the Nerds: Any of you that have ever felt stepped on, left out, picked on, put down, whether you think you're a nerd or not, why don't you just come down here and join us."
I just wanted to say I'm so glad you are on Heroes of Cosplay. I think you bring a perspective about cosplay into the show that (so far) no one else has but most cosplayers agree with. Cosplaying is about getting to be a character you love and to have fun with it- regardless if you look like them or have the same body type or what not. I'm so glad you said that on the show. It showed a positive side of cosplay that should be acknowledged more in the show.
This video is absolutely fantastic and may have made me shed a tear or two! Thank you for voicing all of this; I'm one of many cosplayers who suffer at the hands of the internet(which includes cosplayers and non-cosplayers). Having your self esteem torn down by cosplayers instead of trolls is an entirely different experience because it's almost a feeling of betrayal and leaves one more drained and sad than expected... And I am hoping the show will be awesome! I'll be tuning in either way :)
Truthfully, I was intrigued by the concept when it was announced, if only to see the process behind the creation to the realization. And noting it was convention-based cosplay, having it on SyFy made absolute sense. I wish you and everyone else that participated on the show the best of luck. I'll be watching.
Every year at PAX East I go out of my way to compliment every costume that impresses me. Some of those costumes are heavy and hot, and they deserve recognition for their effort. Nice post.
I totally agree! You were awesome on tonight's episode of Heroes of Cosplay. I have gone to several years worth of MomoCon in ATL (my son talked me into it) and have never even dressed up, but I really love seeing all the creativity and especially the people who really get into character (even if I have no idea who they are supposed to be). Thanks for keeping it real.
I love “Just Cos”, how you teach people about the cosplay world, cosplay should make you feel good, honor your favorite character, and that it doesn’t matter what size/shape the person. Why, you inspired me to create my own 10th Doctor cosplay. When I saw the HoC episode, I was taken aback of how the elites disapproved the message you stood for. Yet you stood by it no matter what. You ARE a real Hero of Cosplay to me and DON’T LET ANYBODY BRING YOU DOWN! insertcheesymotivationallinehere
As a photographer, I would like to thank you for all the effort you put in to Cosplay. I love going to cons and seeing everything from the cosplays that were done the night before to the ones that were works in progress for months. I also agree that there is so much disrespect toward cosplayers from everyone. Recently I posted photos from Philly Comic Con on DA and the number of negative comments on the photos was overwhelming. I would have been happier if they attacked my photography skills.
I've been preparing costumes over the last few months because I'm going to start cosplaying later this year. It's been a bit of a dream of mine for a while, and I'm really excited for it. Though I'm new to it, I've seen many posts online hating on cosplayers for the silliest things. Even being physically fit! It's all in the spirit of celebrating what we love and who we are! Only good things can come from all of us being respectful and accepting of each other!
THANK YOU! As a cosplayer who frequently works outside of the box (such as a hipster interpretation of Jubilee or a jazz-era Eleventh Doctor), it's so gratifying to see that there's other cosplayers out there fighting for our rights to do whatever we want. This year, I stepped out of my comfort zone and bought and altered a catsuit. Thought I'd feel fat. Truth was, walking around in that catsuit was some of the most fun I've had this year. Spent four days in it because I kept getting compliments
Your honesty, sincerity, and positive messages are appreciated. You come across as down to earth and friendly. Just wanted to let you know that you have support out here; don't let any of the negative stuff drag you down or keep you from enjoying what you love. All the best
It's been a conundrum for me. Jarrett Crippen who is the emcee in the preview for the first episode is a dear friend of mine and I've always admired Chloe. I've actually shown my friends quite a few of Chloe's costumes and a lot of the other cosplayers' work and they've started shifting a little. It makes me so torn emotionally over taking a chance and I've decided that I will be watching it. :) Rooting for Chloe of course but also supporting a hobby I love.
I have been aware of cosplaying and cosplayers for quite some time, but I have never been IN the community before. Recently, I became close to several cosplayers and am currently dating one. I now see the creativity, heart, and work that goes into creating a costume that I was previously unaware of, and it is crazy. Most of the cosplayers I know have to hold a full time job as well as make time to create their costumes, and that, to me, shows dedication on a level most of us will never reach.
THANK YOU CHLOE for standing up WITH the nerd community! When a cosplayer dresses up as a character, for that moment, they get to be the person they want to be! For many "nerds" cosplay was the first moment they have ever felt love from a community. So thank you, for reminding some of your fellow cosplayers (On "Heroes of Cosplay" Ep. 2) that whether you are fat, thin, tall, short, or mousy it is the feeling you get in costume that is the reward... not a trophy or a cash prize.
Chloe: I sent you a PM on FB but I feel like this is worth saying publicly here as well. No matter whether I watch the entire season or not, you have my utmost and full support. I've been watching you on the Nerdist Channel for a while and I look up to you. You're doing what you love with such unbridled passion. You have your goofy moments and show that it's perfectly okay to have those moments! You're beautiful and smart. You have 100% of my support in everything you do.
Chloe I have to say that I'm happy to hear someone say this and I'm also glad that you stood by your opinion when the "professional" cosplayers opposed or badgered what you said. Cosplay is about the embodiment of being one with a character you admire. Fat, skinny, short, tall, or whatever. Just cosplay if that's what makes you happy!
You are a true hero a cosplay. The others on the show were saying the "rules" of cosplay, while you said that people should wear what they want. They were angry that they didn't win, but you were proud of yourself. I don't care what anyone says, you're not naive, your an inspiration.
Chloe, this rings so true for me. You interviewed me at San Diego as Aquaman. The amount of ridiculous comments I've been getting about my Aquaman has been troubling to say the least... I've had so many people saying u can't be Aquaman because I'm Asian. Thank you for saying this and putting this out there!
I agree totally! The ONLY time I would ever give a cosplayer a hard time over a commissioned costume would be if they tried to enter it into a contest and lied about it, claiming it as their work. And even then, the lying would be the bone of contention.
I love you, I loved your comments on Heroes of Cosplay. Please stay awesome and optimistic and keep fighting the good fight. This video literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
Chloe seemed like a nice girl when we met her at Planet Comicon in Kansas City. She handled the scripted drama really well (SyFy was soliciting "fights" from attendees, telling them they could be on tv if they started something with one of the "characters." Happy to say that our local cosplayers were above that TV drama nonsense)
I went to my first convention last summer, never had the chance before.. The people cosplaying were some of my best memories.. Everyone was super nice about getting their picture taken.. I would never think of tearing someone down for what they are wearing.. It doesn't matter how accurate or expensive a costume is, the only thing that matters is that the person wearing it loves that character enough to want to Cosplay them.. There should be no room for hate in the Nerd community..
One of your points made me remember last year when I did a redesign on character and I could hear girls saying blatantly behind me how much cleavage I was showing and how I looked horrible. It really hurt my self-esteem...so much that I stitched up the cleavage area as much as I could. People do not realize how much of an effect their words can have on someone that is already apart of them. Thank you for the video keep doing what your doing it's awesome!
Your Lydia Deetz cosplay was fucking awesome :D you're definitely the most humble cosplayer on the show, especially when it comes to opinions on bodyshapes/age. Even though you may not be as experienced as the others, you still manage to create beautiful costumes while maintaining a very admirable attitude :3
Hi Chloe, I wanted to thank you for this. I've struggled for a long time with not being enough. Not pretty enough, skinny enough, geeky enough, accurate enough, talented enough. I only recently attended my first con in costume (Vancouver Comic Con 2013 -- I went as Rogue from X-Men Evolution) and luckily everyone was really nice. Still, I'm nervous about continuing, or going to some of the bigger cons because of the very things you talk about in your video. So thank you for speaking up!!!
Non-Discrimination issues aside, I'm just really happy to see the art form get national recognition on tv. I feel like it's being represented really well by you ladies. I am a professional freelance concept artist for videogames and also work in comics. A large part of my job is finding the right reference for every piece that I create. I pull from everything. Cosplay is a really old art form that I deeply respect and love. Maybe one day I'll break professional appearance and try on a suit! :)
And P.S...your Lydia cosplay was effing adorable on Heroes of Cosplay. I loved that you spoke out on that show also...don't think we're not watching. ;)
Watched Heroes of Cosplay, I really enjoyed reading your blogs and I'm glad you spoke out. Originally, I didn't have a good feeling about the show (in fact the community doesn't) and for good reason. It completely misrepresents cosplay as a whole and paints the people in it in a bad light. I just want to say thank you for standing up for your friends and thank you for having the bravery to speak out about this sort of stuff.
This video really spoke to me. I went to Stan Lee's Comic Con in Dallas last year, and I left during the first day because girls and some guys were verbally bullying me. Last year I weighed over 200lbs. I was cosplaying as Lilith the Siren. These girls kept saying things like, "why is fatty dressed up like a hot character?" And the guys were saying things like, "I bet she's never even played Borderlands. She's probably just trying to seem cool." After hearing variations of these things all day, I left. I felt so awful. I couldn't believe people that I thought were like me could be so cruel. When I got back home, I was still so shaken from the experience that slowly quit eating. I would exercise for hours, and eat maybe some lettuce. I ended up losing 60lbs in just 4 months. I'm now getting fit the right way. But, I'm scared to go to another convention. Do you have any advice?
Here's my advice: don't give a shit. When you stop caring what other's think and take down those barriers of limitation you will notice you are having more fun. I'm proud of you that you are going to loose the weight for you and no other reason that takes a ton of discipline which most people lack and could never fully commit to. I find that quite inspiring and moving. If your serious perhaps look into a keto diet, but no one says you have to loose weight or should. That's entirely up to you. Your weight doesn't define who you are, you are not cosplaying for those assholes enjoyment you are cosplaying for you. And letting them control you like that and forcing you out only means you are letting them win and manipulate you. Please don't do that! Stand your ground unshaken. Even when loosing the weight you will find people will still find something to make fun of you for, take this as a test to gain some strength and build up courage best to become strong now. You shouldn't have to feel pressured to cosplay for accuracy and instead cosplay purely for fun what it's meant to be, it's called cos-PLAY not COS-MUSTBEEXTREMELYACCURATETOBEACCEPTEDINTHECOMMUNITY. Seriously it's 2014 already, it's about time we all grow up and act like adults instead of playing cool kids sitting at the popular table gossiping in high school when we all damn well know not a single one of us true self respecting nerds ever got to sit there to begin with. I for one would be happy to be your friend :3 I am a cosplayer just like you and i accept you as my fellow geek! and yes I agree sometimes i'm amazed how much segregation there is within the cosplay community when we are already looked down upon as a whole. We should come together more like one big family and get stronger this way instead of nitpicking and kicking each-other out for the sake of 'being funny' to a couple of jerk offs. In the end we only get weaker as a community, and devolve ourselves individually. Just keep in mind: people who nitpick, nitpick themselves and they nitpick you because it helps make them feel more confident when they are actually quite insecure, even if they 'appear' secure you can always tell that truly secure people have no reason to make fun of other's, as they simply just don't notice or care enough about what others are doing and have enough confidence to focus on themselves. Plus also keep in mind there are much taller, larger, bigger people and shorter people then you cosplaying, I doubt you were the only person getting picked on at the con for one reason or another. I mean Chloe even got called a guy!! And weight isn't anything but a number and every body type is completely different. I think those jerks wouldn't have half as much bravery as you to cosplay a character like that. That's why they were so cowardly hiding behind their rude comments to get a little 'privilege' buzz lol. So just think a little beyond for awhile and you'll see your no different from anyone else because your human too. : ] OK nerd rant over LOL sorry for the wall 'ol text there.
Another cosplayer did the same costume at Otakuthon this year with her husband as Tenzin, though the difference for her was she had a three month old hanging off her shoulder - and shtill had the body shape of someone who had recently been pregnant. It was wonderful to see. I hope you got great comments on it, because it's a good costume to take advantage of when you're pregnant! :)
This is so absolutely amazing and true. I am terrified to post things online now and purposefully stay away from the comments when I find out other pages have posted my work. I don't understand all the hate. So thank you for this
Kudos and thanks for saying this! As a plus sized woman, and a cosplayer who does original/personification cosplay, I realize I'm a prime target for this sort of abuse the more I put myself out there. "Too fat" or "Original isn't cosplay". I think it epically SUCKS that we seem to be importing some of the worst aspects of mainstream culture- body shaming, cattiness, simon-cowellesque dickishness in the guise of "honesty". Really, we need to stop tearing each other down.
"What a bitch!" is what you will hear from others but from me it is not a putdown but an awesome complement to an outspoken great plea... so needed to those that do not get it... thanks Chloe for your words of wisdom
Thank you finally someone spoke up I was really happy to see the show but later in the episodes I was questioning myself if I ever wanted to cosplay over the weight issue...
Enjoying the show. Watching with my 3 girls and It is totally making us want to make costumes. I hope my girls will grow up to be as strong, confident, accepting and fun loving as you. Thank you for putting yourself out there.
Maybe it's because I'm new to the con and cosplay scene, but I think it's all great. Anytime who has the courage to show their support for their favorite anime, comic character, etc...they deserve to be applauded for their efforts. Any effort. Whether it be a store bought costume or entirely hand made, I still appreciate it. Don't see why people have the need to form clicks in an already insular subculture. Makes me sad.
Man Thank you for making this video! I'm black and I love to cosplay as Sailor Moon. I actually use to get told by my best friends that I shouldn't cosplay as a white super hero. I should cosplay as my color allows. Shocked and appalled I brushed them aside and got a Sailor Moon costume and I put my own twist on it. Making it more hip and urban look to it and My friends turned around and didn't insult me anymore. Having confidence in what you wear and ignoring negativity will get you far!
Great video and something that needed to be said. At San Diego this year I happened to overhear these two guys, who were just standing in the hall ogling many of the female cosplayers. It was sort of the reverse "Sexy costume" issue Chloe talked about. I'm paraphrasing here, but they basically they were saying - "If she showed some skin in MIGHT be a good costume." Uhhggg! Just because someone doesn't want to show as much skin as others doesn't mean you get to judge them either!
Not something I haven't said before. I made a previous video about ignoring the trolls. This video is teaching people to recognize when they're turning into trolls (a lot of times, they don't realize it).
You hit the Nail on the Head Chloe. I would like to add that as a community member I see the community growing so fast from what it was, I think that putting the community into the spot light is what caused a majority of problems, the lights are on us and we feel self conscious, and when that happens, we take all of our negative energy and put it on other people and become dicks. It's not about fun anymore, it is about impressing other people be it competing or just having the spotlight on us
Why can't everybody on RU-vid just get it?! It's not that hard...you have something nice to say, say it! You don't, Then shut up...well put Cloe, that was truly amazing. As always.
Best line of comments I've seen on RU-vid. The important thing here is this: while people are going to be critical, it doesn't mean that everything they say is acceptable. Chloe does an excellent job of addressing the criticism directly, weighing it on its merits, but where is the harm in actually calling the garbage that many spew what it is? Just because you can say it, just because it is said, and just because you have an opinion doesn't make it *good*; strive for good, rather than common.
Thank you for putting this out, well said. And your armpit doesn't look weird (or even 'on it's way at what ever the slowest speed is out there' weird) at all. Best and benevolent wishes to your endeavors all around.
I cant believe some people, I've been cosplaying for a year now and it has been great! I've gotten to meet some really rad people (mostly women :D) and learned that I am more creative then I realized. It even made me way more confident then I used to be, I mean one of my costumes has tights for crying out loud! It makes me sad when I think that this kind of stuff goes on. Thanks for speaking your mind, you rock. Hope to meet you at a con some time!
And btw, thanks for saying nice things about my cosplay at Gallifrey One. Seriously, if every cosplayer complimented each other, what a nicer community it would be. :)
so many people want to join in it increases the amount of trolls, and the severity of the impact they have. I wish people would stop being pricks just to be, and actually start giving some friggin appreciation for someone challenging their comfort zone.
You're definitely my hero in cosplay. I tried to talk to certain others about how to cosplay when I'm overweight and got basically shouted at about how 'hard' it is to cosplay as a sexy thin buxom young woman. Apparently they have no idea that a overweight female gets every bit of the abuse they do, with the added commentary about being overweight to boot. I have to struggle to pick any type of costume to avoid looking like an idiot and getting called a 'cow in a tutu' and it's really hard!
I really like the way you think, I'm the same with comments and stuff. I like how you share your point of view, it takes guts to show who you are and protect your idiologies. keep up the spirit ^^
I sure do like you and your attitude, Ms. Dykstra! Thank you for sharing, and boosting the signal of niceness and fun over pointless criticism and BS! I can't wait to see the show!
from what i've seen so far, most cosplayers cosplay for themselves and nothing more. we shouldn't care what others say or post. cosplaying will draw a lot of attention especially if you're very good at it. take the good with the bad. part of the deal as a whole. props to you for venting and not holding it in. i, for one, enjoy your cosplay. keep on cosplaying!
What you said did need to be said. It is a type of bullying and frankly many of us were bullied so we seriously, we don't need to do it to others. there are no Fake Geeks, fake cosplayers, etc. Even if a costume isn't perfect or might look like my 5 year old made it, that cosplayer is out there enjoying themselves! I admire that. I've always wanted to cosplay but I don't know how to make costumes.
I'm one of those people who would love to cosplay, but things like cosplayers turning on each other over the quality/accuracy of costumes and such keeps me from fully committing to it. I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice this, and even more glad that the big names in the community are starting to call people out on it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
thanks for video, I felt the same way after watching ep2. The dinner scene really made me think this is not a show about cosplay it's just mean girls playing at being geeks and I decided never to watch the show again. I love the concept of the show and showcasing some of the incredible talent, so MAY give it another chance.
I've been excited about any nerd show that gets put on tv or out into the world in general. To me, being a nerd means embracing what you love and the other people who love it also! So you are right Chloe,we nerds as a community should be helpful and willing to boost up fellow nerds. So the "nerd on nerd violence" is stupid and pointless. I, being fairly new to the community, have loved and embraced the "love and let love" vibe of the nerd tribe. We need each other and need to be supportive.
I love watching Heroes of Cosplay because no one is "voted off". It is a great source for fashion and creativity. Each person has their own style and methods. Cosplay is to have fun, be creative, showing talents and skills, and encouraging. Some times, creating a costume takes a longer time or there is a hang up in the costume. When this happens, the Cosplayer will feel so relieved once it is finished and the challenge was overcome, and they feel great to show it off. They do not need others to bring them down. I do know this is not just in Cosplay. In my life, I have been verbally and emotionally abused by others for being different, High Functioning Autistic different. Life is to be enjoyed, not stressful, especially would there are other elements of life that causes problems, like health issues or family emergencies, etc.
Yeah-this is rad. My daughter (who suffers from Alopecia) is a huge Doctor Who fan and we attended our first Gallifrey 1 convention this year. We made her a TARDIS dress,but she was really nervous about wearing it and what the reaction might be from the "regulars". Thankfully the Whovians are the nicest bunch around and she got nothing but smiles and compliments-it was a real big deal for little girl who was totally bald 2 months earlier.Her response to this post? "Chloe gets it-she's awesome!"
I always thought what made a cosplayer a cosplayer was cosplaying, I don't understand how you can fake cosplaying? It boggles the mind, my mind is boggled, I don't know how to unboggle it.
Fantastic comments I believe you have summed up what so many people are too afraid to say. This has become such a cruel world, and it saddens me that that cruelty has found it's way into the Cosplay community. We all know the basic psychology behind being a bully, or being mean to others. It stems from your own lack of something. I watched the show, and loved your comments at the dinner. Keep being true to yourself.
I used to do the Black Suit Spider-Man. It was the first cosplay I had ever done. So I'm walking around the con in my self made costume and people are taking my picture. I keep hearing someone yell "ANOREXIC SPIDEY!" Now I'm not super hero buff but I thought I looked good enough to sport the spandex. Then I caught sight of the guy yelling. It was a hugely obese guy on a hover-round. I laughed out loud and and made some crack that mad him mad. "What are you gonna do? Chase me? Look! Stairs!"
Oh dude, holy shit. Your Aquaman was amazing. That thought didn't even cross my mind. (Also, you were one of the handsomest Aquamans I've seen. True story.)
This is both an extremely simple, and very convoluted and complicated topic. The extremely simple part? THERE IS NO REASON TO BE NEGATIVE..period. Golden rule, treat people how you want to be treated, be respectful, be kind, if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything. As for the complicated part...i only have 187 "characters" left and it would take 2,000 for me to write it all out, so i'll spare anyone reading this & only write the simple part lol. :) Love you Chloe! U rock!
Very well said! the nerd on nerd shit needs to stop ....everywhere. We have all been through this from the rest of the world we don't need to do it to each other.! Excellent video!
And you just gained a follower to your channel. you make several really good points. Also, I'm so scared for the show, not for the cosplayers but for the people who are going to watch it just to mock us...
I also don't understand why people bash on other people who have the same interests.. WHAT?! Usually when two people who like the same thing there's potential for good conversation and good friendships there! But for whatever reason their first and automatic thought process is, "ONLY I CAN LIKE THIS, GO LIKE SOMETHING ELSE!" How hard is it to simply NOT say something mean? Isn't it more enjoyable to appreciate others' love for something you also love, than to tear them down? Great video btw!
on hero's of cosplay i really loved it when you said it doesn't matter what size someone is to wear a costume. i got made when the others were flipping out about a big person wearing a superman outfit. ok i'm a girl and i rather cosplay boys so i if i went to a con as a boy must i be bitched at because i didn't wear a female costume or i wasn't boyish enough pisses me off but you my dear are one of my cosplay hero's and thank you for putting this up. you ma'am are a true cosplay hero
I worked in Community Management for two years at an online gaming company and this sounds all too familiar. The internet has no accountability and there are some meanspirited people out there who hide behind their keyboard. I was a Game Master and people hated me for so many reasons. I empathize with you guys despite not being a cosplayer. As a writer I am reluctant to share my work online just because of how fucking awful some people can be. It can really bring good people down.
Haters gunna hate! I get behind EVERYTHING you said here! Sometimes I really do think that it's not the outside world judging so harshly on the cosplay community, it's the community judging itself! Be the change! Add for heroes of cosplay, I loved it and I'm a huge fan! Thanks for representing us in such a positive light girl! Love ya!
I love that you made this video. As a male cosplayer it can get pretty rough, and the insecurities are just as bad for guys. Everything that you have mentioned in this video has been amazingly spot on. I am glad that you made this video before the show comes out. Will you be making one after the show airs to give your opinion on how it is edited and portrayed?
Having worked on the show...I have been a little blown away by reading some of the comments by other cosplayers and beyond that, exactly what you said Chloe, what happened to just being supportive? It's all pretty ridiculous to me. I have been to a few cons this year and just seeing you all have fun was awesome to me. More fun. Less negativity! It's so simple!
You said everything my friends and I sit around and say all the time. Wish we could all just be glad for each other and support each other!! Hugs & High-5's!!!
There's a fine line between "creepy" and "complimentary". I find my line is being touched- that's annoying as shit, and not okay. Other people are a little more delicate about that stuff- glances, check outs, compliments, etc. Those don't bother me at all, especially not if I chose a costume with a lot of skin showing. Wrote more about it in an article I can't post because links aren't allowed in RU-vid comments. It's called "Simon Pegg Should Know Better"- should be the first link when Googled
I tend to avoid that Heros Of Cosplay because it is just huge amounts of drama when in actuality, its not really like that for most cosplayers. You standing up to those people with dinner made me so happy, I applauded. People can dress up as anything or anyone they want. THAT IS WHAT COSPLAY IS ALL ABOUT. It makes me sad when people get so wrapped up in drama or angry or sad that they seem to forget that. Instead of bashing people for being apart of something they love, we need to praise them
![A humble plea from a cosplayer. [CSC #17]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
