Cosplay Interview with NY's Sixth Ranger on Body Shaming

Interviewer: The Lady Kaylah Topic: Body Shaming

Cosplay Name: New York's Sixth Ranger

Question: How long have you been cosplaying? Answer: I've been cosplaying for 4 years. My favorite cosplay is my green ranger, which is my first. The thing I love most about cosplay is the freedom it gives me to be myself.

Question: When did you first experience Body Shaming in the cosplay world? Answer: the first time I experienced body shaming was the first time I cosplayed. I was at NYCC when people called me "short green ranger" or "fat green ranger". Sometimes people still do it when I wear that cosplay.

Question: How do you handle confronting the issue of body shaming? Answer: If it's a random comment I hear at a convention I ignore it or if it's a comment on one of my pictures online I delete and block and move on. If it's a non-cosplayer I typically don't bother engaging with the person doing the body shaming. If it's another cosplayer, that's when I tell them what's wrong with their behavior.

Question: If you don’t mind me asking, how does experiencing body shaming make you feel? Answer: I struggle with body image issues so, it just reinforces my insecurities.

Question: Do you have any advice to any cosplayers who may be experiencing the same hardship? Answer: Just know that most people will appreciate your cosplay and the positive will outweigh the negative.

Question: What do you think the cosplay community as a whole can do to improve the issue of body shaming?

Answer: Don't do it, don't entertain it.

Answer: nope that just about covers it