Ming from Turning Red / Cosplayer @cosplaycounselor // Photo @jlap64
Ming was a hit at D23! I decided to bring Ming (and a pack of pads) with every intention to embarrass any Meilin cosplayers that I saw; however, I suspect because of my enthusiasm and in part because I was mostly in lines/panels for the day I didn’t see ANY Meilins! Later in the afternoon one of my friends called me and said that she found a Meilin and that she wanted to meet me! So I dashed over to the other side of the expo to reunite with my daughter. @The_disney_docs who was the Meilin I met was such a good sport in playing along and the whole interaction was so sweet and wholesome.
Despite not really being outside by the fountain or other open areas a lot of people either pointed, shouted, asked if I was the mom from Turning Red and wanted a photo with me. I think one of the most memorable moments was when I went to the Pixar booth and the staff wanted a photo/video of me to send it to the Producer of Turning Red. Later that evening one of my cosplay friends told me that my Ming cosplay was going viral on Twitter and my jaw dropped when I found out that @jennxlai, who oversees the @disneystudios digital marketing account, said that I had the “best cosplay of #d23expo, hands down.” I thought I was going to cry – what a compliment!!
((photo acc_photo_art)
I have a super close relationship with my mom, and we watched Turning Red together when it first came out on Disney+. We laughed at so many moments in the movie and I commented how Ming’s apparel looked so much like my mom’s old work clothes. She’s changed industries since then and has a much more casual wardrobe now - but I liked that power suit look and thought it would be so much fun to in some way dress like my mom. Also, Ming is extremely fearless, and bold so I thought her personality really suited me as well.
You know it’s a funny story. I went to LA Chinatown dressed as Meilin (her daughter) to shoot a TikTok video of me dancing to NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me” and was hoping that maybe I’d find a qipao like her mom’s since Chinatown has a lot of cultural shops. Thankfully I did! I found the green jacket at a thrift shop later that day, and all the accessories are ironically from my mom’s jewelry box. Everything else was from my closet.
Cosplay is such an awesome creative outlet to express my love for characters AND it’s a great conversation starter. For the most part everyone has been very supportive of my passion; however, there was a time in my life where I had some colleagues who perhaps didn’t understand this hobby, and had said some really negative and hurtful things. I no longer work at that establishment and am happy to say that I’m a part of a community that really embraces this part of me.
@THR: The cast of #Thunderbolts Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and Wyatt Russell talk about making the "surreal" announcement for their new Marvel movie at #D23Expo. Julia also tells us how her kids feel about her being in the MCU now.
D23 Expo LOKI season 2 Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson,Sophia Di Martino, Ke Huy Quan -September 10,2022
LOKI season 2 stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and Ke Huy Quan take the stage with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at Hall D23 at D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Edited by TheMovieReport.com
where is our descendants tror content?? such a seriously talented cast with the power of a legendary dcom fairytale in their hands and we have nothing i’m dying
Dory has always been an impactful character and role model in my life. With being born autistic, it was difficult growing up and felt different from others around me. I was so silent and had a lot of trouble communicating or socializing with my classmates and was always put down cause I couldn't do or think the same as everyone else. As an adult, I was diagnosed with multiple anxiety disorders which made everyday a struggle to get through. Sometimes I would wake up so scared of what could happen and had that never ending feeling of constant fear, anxiousness, and being alone.
Going through everything, I never had a character that I could look up to or who would help me feel like I wasn't the only one out there going through the same things as me. It was then till I watched Finding Nemo and saw Dory for the first time that I felt a connection so strong and true.
Seeing her beautiful journey made my eyes wide open to what a world can be like with not letting any mental illnesses stop you in your tracks. And that you can do anything in your own unique way. And that you can be your authentic self no matter what. And most importantly that you can "just keep swimming". I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for her and it makes my heart so full to see other relatable characters follow suit, showing all of us that no one is alone in this world and to never stop believing in all that you are.
The most precious gift [cosplay] gave me was a voice. A voice that I thought I would never have. Though born autistic and had some difficulties with my logical side of my brain, my creative side went into maximum overdrive and would always think and do things creatively to solve any problem or do anything I wanted to do.
Our journey will always take us down different paths. And each step of the way will have different challenges we must face in order to get to where we need to be.
11 years ago, I never thought I was good with what I made and had a lot of doubts about whether I would get to where the artists that inspired me to start in the first place and be just as amazing as them. But then I realized that I was only comparing myself to others not for what my own worth as an artist is. And that I was gonna let that stop me from continuing to learn the things I needed to learn for myself and grow as my own artist.
That was the moment I let all that fear fade away and start to sew, build, and do things in my way. It was then that I started to love myself unconditionally for the artist I was becoming and going to be. Now I strive everyday to tackle new challenges and try skills that maybe sometimes scare the wits out of me. But seeing the beautiful progression, going on this journey, and seeing how far I've come makes it all worthwhile in the end.
We all have different ways of doing things and that should never stop us from pursuing what we want to do in the cosplay world and in our lives too. Never quit and never give up. Everyone starts from somewhere and where it will take us going forward is a wonderful journey to behold.