First name and last initial: Kai R.

Where are you from originally, or where do you currently reside? I’m from Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.

How long have you been cosplaying? I’ve been cosplaying a little over a year.

Which characters have you cosplayed? Samus Aran, Two-Face, Captain Falcon, Dr. Doom and Mystique.

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What inspired you to start cosplaying? I first got into cosplay by deciding it was time I finally tried it. I used to attend conventions solely for Yu-Gi-Oh Card game tournaments, never thought I’d ever see cosplay as something I’d do because at the time it wasn’t too mainstream in my country, however, something about seeing others not only express their love for various fandom through wearable art, but just actually challenging themselves to do it, struck a chord in me each time I set foot in those conventions. Being an artsy and self challenging person all my life, it only felt fitting that I gave it a try. I was just ready to go all out and do my best. So after several “Okay next event I’d try cosplaying”s later, I finally made my cosplay debut in July, 2016.

What do you do when you’re not cosplaying? I work as a full time graphic designer so if I’m not doing art, I’m working on new cosplays. Apart from that, just the general hobbies such as gaming and watching movies etc.

Which costumes have provided the biggest challenge and rewards so far, and why? My biggest challenge would have had to been my first cosplay, Samus Aran, as I was just beginning to learn about using unconventional cosplay materials. It was also most rewarding to me because the experience alone taught me a lot and it turned out to be a great way to make my cosplay debut. I even received 4th place honours at the ALIAS 2016 Caribbean Cosplay Championship.

What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplaying? Big jobs usually go to the people who prove their ability to outgrow small ones. Work hard and earn your spot. Prove that you can crawl before trying to show off how well you can walk. Your time will come.

What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplaying? Accepting and respecting one another for who they are, regardless of race, religion or body structure.