Monika Lee

Monika Lee

Cosplaying Wonder Woman

At San Diego Comic Con

                       Monika Lee is no stranger to convention centers, or the hobby of cosplaying. 
When I asked her if I could possibly ask her a few questions about how it all came to be she kindly agreed to my offer. In my short interview she tells me: how she came to find cosplaying, what it means to her now, and what she does to put herself in the characters skin. 

Interview With Monika Lee

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 Me: How old were you when you discovered cosplaying?

           Monika Lee: I was 13 years old when I first started cosplaying so it's been about 6 years or so since then. 

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     Me: What was your first convention? Did you cosplay?

           Monika Lee: My first convention was Dragon*Con 2005 before I started cosplaying. My dad is a bit of a Trekkie so he took me with him (mostly because I was dying to see James Marsters from Buffy! haha) and it was amazing! I've been going ever since and it's still the best convention I've ever been to. It was only till Dragon*Con 2006 that I started cosplaying.

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         Me: What was your first cosplay?

        Monika Lee:  My first cosplay was Temari from Naruto. I was a huge Naruto nerd and I thought she was such a badass character with her giant fan!

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        Me: Who were the people who supported you the most?

            Monika Lee: I'd probably say my best friend Christy and my mom! Christy and I had been cosplaying from the beginning and for the first couple of years; we would go to every convention together, always cosplaying together. To this day, she's been nothing but supportive. :) My mom is also extremely supportive, going as far as to making a run to Wal*Mart at midnight when I run out of thread or something. Sometimes she worries more about finishing my costumes than I do ha-ha.

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       Me: What is your experience with the public at the conventions such as Comic con? Were they excited to see you?

           Monika Lee:  San Diego Comic Con was crazy as far as the crowd goes. I always enjoy it when people get super excited about me cosplaying as their favorite character because then we can nerd out together.

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         Me: When you cosplay is it what you want or is there a “What would the fans like?” Sort of edge on your costumes?

            Monika Lee: My main motivation for cosplaying is either something from a series/video game/etc. that I love or if my friends want to do a group together. I don't want to waste all my time and effort on a costume if I'm not excited about the design or the experience that I can have in it.

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       Me: What characters do you have in mind for future cosplays?

           Monika Lee:  Right now, I'm working on a Diablo III wizard. I'm thinking of doing Jubilee from X-Men, Maya from Borderlands 2 and more for next year. 

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        Me: What sort of places are you hoping to go with your cosplaying?

            Monika Lee: I'm hoping to go to conventions...? Ha-ha, I think cosplay can be a great way for learning new skills and people, but at the end of the day it's just a really awesome hobby. 

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         Me: Do you make your own costumes? Or do you have someone to make them?

           Monika Lee:  I've always made my own costumes. I love to be able to proudly answer that I've made everything myself. :)

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         Me: Are they expensive? 

           Monika Lee:  Ha-ha YEP. I either spend my money on food or costume supplies. After a while, you have to learn to be thrifty by using a lot of coupons or waiting for sales.

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        Me: Do you do your own makeup? Or do you have it done by someone?

            Monika Lee: Yep, I do my own! I've learned just by looking at the ways other people have done their makeup or just by browsing through online tutorials.

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         Me: What was your favourite cosplay you’ve done? Why?

           Monika Lee:  So far, it's my Little Sister from Bioshock. I love the creepy effect that comes from the theatrical makeup/contacts and eeriness of the video game's design. I'm also super obsessed with Bioshock, ha-ha. Take my money, Irrational Games!

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        Me: Speaking from experience, what do you think it takes to be a well-known cosplayer?

            Monika Lee: When I cosplay, I don't do it for the intention of being "famous". If that's what you're doing, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. If your skills/talents happen to get some recognition, I think that's really great and it's a nice confidence boost. However, people looking for advice to be "well-known" in cosplay should probably rethink why they're cosplaying in the first place.

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         Me: Do you have anyone you look up to in cosplaying?

            Monika Lee: Holy poop, yes! All my friends are so incredibly talented, it blows my mind! Especially in Atlanta, there are so many talented and amazing cosplayers (Yaya Han, Riddle, Lindze, Katie, to name a few). In addition to them, my friends Jessica, Victoria and Meagan-Marie are awesome cosplayers and I look up to all of them.

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        Me: How long do you plan on cosplaying? 

           Monika Lee:  Oh man, that's a good question! I really have no idea--maybe until I get my dream job and I'm finally rolling in money? Ha-ha.

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         Me: Do you have any advice for future cosplayers?

           Monika Lee:  I think the main thing is to not look for fame or power in cosplay. Cosplaying is an amazing way to learn extremely useful skills and to meet some talented people that share in the same nerdy interests as you. It's so much more enjoyable if you enjoy the process of creating a cosplay and if at the end of the day, you love what you've made. It's even better if you can share your love of the hobby with others. Just be a nerd and love everyone! Ha-ha.

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Monika Lee is a brilliant Cosplayer, and I personally think everyone who has a chance should check her out. Even if you're not a fan of cosplaying it never hurts to take a look, you never know you might see something you like.
I would like to thank you all for reading my first interview, and a very big thank you to Monika Lee for giving her time to answering my question.

You can check out Monika Lee at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/London2191Cosplay

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MnikaLee