TStunning Spidey is simply spectacular!

First name and last initial: Tyler H.

Where are you from originally or reside currently?
I’m Maryland based and no matter where I tend to move I always seem to return back to my old stomping grounds in the DMV area.

^{Spider-Man photo Mind Fall Media}

How long have you been cosplaying?
I’ve been cosplaying since 2012 (convention wise), but I’ve always been dressing up and filming skits or videos since I was a kid. It definitely felt more defined as being a cosplayer around 2012 though.

What characters have you cosplayed the most?
Definitely Spider-Man. I’ve at this point portrayed close to 90 variations of the character. (Most notably the Todd McFarlane Late 80s/90s Styled version and the Sensational Ben Reilly Spidey). I’m Ambassador for Thailand based costuming company The RPC Studio who sponsors and crafts any version I want to showcase. Outside of Spidey I’ve also portrayed WarGreymon from Digimon, The Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, Batman, Deku from My Hero Academia, Goku, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and more! 

^{The Stunner photo NBC/Universal}

Social Media Pages

Instagram: TstunningSpidey 

YouTube: BboyStunna 

TikTok: TstunningSpidey 

Who or what inspired you to cosplay?
I was initially inspired to cosplay Spidey back in 2012 when I attended The Amazing Spider-Man in theaters and saw my buddy Devin wearing a replica Tobey Maguire style suit. I was admittedly jealous but it lit a fire in me to want to portray the character as well..and the rest was history! I also have been a big fan of Spidey since I was five years old. My father passed his 70s/80s Marvel Comics on to me and his favorite hero was Spider-Man so naturally it made sense I would gravitate to the character as well.

^{Photo Tyler Hoover}

What do you do when you aren’t cosplaying?
I’m a professional entertainer that specializes in break-dancing, content creation and video editing. I’ve been featured on America’s Got Talent (2021), The Associated Press (2022), Men’s Health Magazine (2021), ESPN Undefeated (2016), Buzzfeed (2015) and various other established places. My combination of humor mixed with my breakdancing/acrobatics especially fused with Spider-Man cosplay has lead to those amazing opportunities. My day job is teaching gymnastics and ninja warrior skills as a coach. Other hobbies I enjoy are playing the Digimon Trading Card Game, dancing and of course fitness. 

What costumes have provided the biggest challenges/rewards so far and why?
Building my WarGreymon cosplay from Digimon was my toughest yet most rewarding cosplay. It was always a bucket list one to build so seeing me pull it off was so amazing!

^{WarGreymon photo by Tyler Hoover}

What is the best advice you would give to other cosplayers of color?
Don’t listen to naysayers or others, focus on your passion and what interests you. There will be a alot who will try to project their own insecurities onto you. Try not to mind them and find positive reinforcement in your fellow peers it’ll help tremendously. It does take tough skin to be an extroverted cosplayer and especially being a POC. Just keep being your genuine self. People will notice and appreciate you when are. 

What one thing could the cosplay community do better when relating to one another?
Keeping positive reinforcement present and building each other up. People see it as too competitive for honestly no reason! We’re all just a bunch of nerds who found our niches and even those niches should be available for everyone. Policing fandoms will do nothing but alienate you in the long run. Just be open minded and welcoming to the new people and help create a better community.