Every month our staff combs the cosplay community for up-and-coming cosplayers who deserve to have a broader audience for their work, taking into account not only costuming skills and photogenic presence, but also how they use that ability in service to others. Through this, we've not only met some talented cosplayers, but also some fine human beings.

Just like August, this month's Bombshell brings the heat with her cosplay, as well as her professional photography and range of characters. We couldn't be happier to introduce you, our readers to our...

Critical Blast Bombshell, August 2021

SillyThig

Baby Yoda (The Mandalorian)

Photo: SillThigCosplay

What is your interest in cosplay?

I.LOVE.COSPLAY. Seriously. I’ve never enjoyed any other craft to the extent that I enjoy cosplaying. It provides me with endless challenges to overcome, techniques to learn, and is an amazing creative outlet.

I know I will probably sound super corny when I say this, but when I sit down to start a project (usually with chill music, cozy lighting, and a yummy beverage btw lol) I’m in pure bliss! I love every single part of the process. And even though I often get frustrated at the learning curves, I still end up having a blast despite that. As someone who often struggles with anxiety and depression, having something that brings me joy like this is invaluable. So that’s why I decided to share what I make and show the whole process with others, because it just might end up being someone else’s bliss as well.

How did you get into cosplay, and what was your first cosplay experience?

I have always loved making costumes. When I was younger, I would go all out for holidays and school events and as I got older, I desperately looked for reasons to make ANYTHING! One of my absolute favorite experiences was creating an Elsa costume for a princess party my friend threw for her daughter. It was so much fun being a “real” princess for a day. And seeing the kids' excitement (despite my lack of acting skills lol) was priceless!

As far as official cosplaying goes, I had always wanted to try it out. I honestly never thought I could afford it though, let alone make any of the amazing foam cosplays that I had seen. Then I ended up moving to San Antonio, where they host PAXSouth. Since I didn’t have to pay for a hotel or travel, I could finally attend my first Con in 2019!

My friends and I decided to create our own versions of The Power Puff Girls and I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had making mine and helping my friend with theirs. Plus, it was so cool to see how many people loved our cosplay and wanted to take pictures with us! It was an amazing first experience cosplaying and I was instantly hooked for life. Immediately after that I bought every single one of Kamui’s books, read them all in like a week, and started up my Instagram!

How has your cosplay evolved since you began?

What started out as what I thought would be a one-time adventure, evolved very quickly. In the span of a year I went from buying simple pieces to alter, to making my own foam props, to styling my own wigs, to shooting my own photoshoots, to learning how to edit those pictures, to building a workshop solely for cosplay, to learning how to pattern and make my own props from scratch and then opening an Etsy shop to sell them. I’m so excited to see where the next few years will take me!

Bakugou (My Hero Academia)

Photo: SillyThigCosplay

What is your "secret identity" outside of cosplaying?

Outside of cosplay my life is pretty simple and I love it that way. I’m a wife to an incredibly supportive man, and I volunteer much of my time to teaching people about the Bible.

What kind of social or charity activities do you get involved in with your cosplay?

Because I began my cosplay journey right before the pandemic hit I haven’t had the opportunity for many social things yet. I’ve only attended two conventions before that, but I’m eagerly anticipating new adventures when it’s a little more safe to do so!

D. Va (Overwatch)

Photo: SillyThigCosplay

Do you make as much of your own costume as possible or rely on purchased materials -- and is that important overall to cosplaying? 

I like to make as much of my cosplays as possible simply because I enjoy the process so much and I love learning new skills. Not to mention I’m a very specific person and when I have an idea for a cosplay I usually can’t find what I’m looking for in a price range I can afford.

What's your favorite cosplay, your "go to" look that you just love to put on and act out?

My favorite cosplay still isn’t finished yet actually, lol. My Sugarplum Fairy - Mercy is my DREAM cosplay! (I’m a Mercy main.) I’ve taken a little break from making her to build up my skills because of that. However, I still often try on her pieces and constantly dream of the day she’s complete.

Where can people go to find you online?

You can find all of my links here: https://linktr.ee/SillyThigCosplay