Kearstin Nicholson

There are many talented models and performers who bring their love & enthusiasm to dressing up as their favorite characters. Comic Book Critic will regularly showcase a performer who embodies this spirit of cosplaying.

Whether it’s creating the costume from scratch, altering the appearance of an existing one, or just getting into character, these performers spend a lot of time and effort on their craft. As much as we all enjoy seeing our favorite fictional characters represented in real life, let’s not forget the behind-the-scenes work that goes into that portrayal.

One thing is for certain though, their love of cosplaying shines through in their work.

The Comic Book Critic Featured Cosplayer Interview this week is:

Kearstin Nicholson from Elmhurst, IL

Kearstin Nicholson isn’t your average cosplayer – if there is such a person. She’s got more hobbies than people have fingers! Kearstin is a costumer, panelist, costume judge, artist, model, photographer, drummer, pianist, singer, photo retoucher, graphic designer, event coordinator, and charity enthusiast… at least for now.

Not only is she multi-talented, Kearstin also has a very outgoing personality as can be seen in the usual Saturday night webcam livestreams. She’s a funny, rude, in-your-face, down-to-earth, crude, and beautiful true geek all rolled up into one sexy package – and on top of it all, she is also an erotic model on GeekGoddess. What’s not to like about Kearstin?

We were lucky that Kearstin found time in her schedule to give us this featured interview! If you want to find out more about this amazingly talented and rather busy cosplayer, read on…

How long have you been cosplaying and what was your first costume?

Over 5 years, and my first was actually Dark Phoenix!

You started as a model, what made you decide that cosplaying was something you wanted to pursue?

I had already been going to conventions, but in my area, costuming wasn’t that big of a thing. So when I started to see it rise in popularity, I had no idea it was a thing. I always thought they were just hired models wearing costumes (not that there’s anything wrong with that though!). So, I dipped into it, and have been loving it since!

Do you make and/or design all of your costumes?

I primarily make my own costumes and my boyfriend’s. There are times I commission pieces out, because I love to support artists and think of them as “designer purses”. MUST HAVE A PIECE!

Which was the most challenging or satisfying to make?

Most challenging would definitely have to be anything that isn’t spandex. That is not my strongest area, and I’m still learning how to sew and pattern those types of materials. Most satisfying would be my Angela (Spawn) costume because it was my first armored suit AND I built a staff for the first time! (With a little help holding the power tools because I had no idea what I was doing LOL)

Who are some your favorite characters to portray?

Jean Grey first and always! But aside from her, I’m really fond of bold characters and obscure characters. My interests in comics, video games and such are pretty in depth, so even that character who was only around for 5 min could be super cool to me and I want to wear it!

You’re an artist, musician, costumer, gamer, photographer, and model – how do you find the time to do all those things?

It’s hard I can tell you that! But I’m a very big fan of planned scheduling and itineraries. I make the time!

Some things can be done at the same time, or the same day, others, I take the weekend to do. I’m also slowly becoming a gym rat, but that’s just during the week. If I did that 7 days a week, I’d have time for NOTHING!

Since you also do erotic modeling on GeekGoddess, do you think that changes the way people perceive you and do some approach you differently?

Oh absolutely.

The first thing people think are two things:

1. I’m a “fake geek girl”
2. I’m a whore.

Both are completely hilarious things considering they’re tremendously false.

We’re an empowering site and I love the work and activities we do and offer. Nude erotica modeling is nothing new to me as I’ve been doing it since 2004, and now that I get to add one of my other hobbies (costuming) into the mix? Even more fun because I’m more passionate about it!

Which are your favorite comics & video games?

Jean Grey is my favorite comic character, and my favorite video games can be pretty tricky depending on the mood I’m in. But I can tell you that Left 4 Dead series, Batman Arkham series, Borderlands series and Gears of War series are my top favorites!

Are there particular things that are bother you when cosplaying in public?

Nothing really bothers me in public so to speak. I’m extremely outgoing, and honestly don’t care what people say or think. Most people don’t have the gall to say anything to my face anyway, so in public it’s pretty much smooth sailing.

Most of the time, I get told I’m pretty intimidating anyway, since when I’m in costume, I stand around 6’3″ (heels, baby!). Other than that, I don’t have problems in public. Costuming or modeling. Not even “sexual harassment”. In fact, those people who say the lewd, rude, crude things are my biggest fans!

What do you enjoy the most about it?

The attention and completion satisfaction. Knowing that “I built this”, “I made this”, “I worked hard on this” and then getting to “perform” it in public is exhilarating. Now, I don’t cosplay, so I don’t get INTO character, but stepping into the world in costume and embodying a character is just as much as performing as actually getting into character. It’s like modeling in many ways. I may model fetish work that certain types of people are into, but that doesn’t mean I’m into it. But if I can model it and work it to have the viewer believe it; then I did it!

Do you have any favorite Cons that you like to attend?

Absolutely! C2E2 and Dragoncon are my top picks. In 2014, I’ll actually be “touring” for the first time and visiting conventions on the coasts I’ve never been!

I’m going TO the people! LOOK OUT!

Have you attended Anime Cons and are they a very different experience compared to Comic Cons?

Sure have! Acen is one of the largest anime conventions in the country, and that’s in my back yard! While I’m not entirely a fan of the anime crowd in masses (I HATE GLOMPING), they do throw the best best best raves, and I LOVE dancing.

I’m not a fan of how young the crowds are either, but at least I know I can still have a great time going to them. As a costumer, I don’t have much anime under my belt anyway, so appealing to that crowd doesn’t make much sense

What’s one of your most memorable moments while cosplaying?

The people! I love meeting people, I love to party. It has it’s fair share of unnecessary and meek drama, but so does everything else in the world. Just recognize it, walk away from it, and FKNKFN!

Who are some of your favorite cosplayers?

BelleChere, Jessica Nova, Jonathan Carroll, DJ Spider, Mark Meer, Jessica Nigri, Paul Sciarra, Michael Cox, Kevin Spooner, Traci Hines. “Propcustomz”, Scott Whipple, OMG THE LIST GOES ON!

So many people inspire me in so many different ways, it’s hard to list everyone sometimes. I can tell you though, that I have a “appreciation” photo album on my page for such occasions!

Has cosplay changed at all since you began?

Oh it sure has, but everything changes. Especially when fads and trends come into play.

Am I mad about it? No, because I know things like this happen. What I do and how I deal with it, is just that: deal with it. Embrace change (lol skrulls) and keep on doing what you do and what makes you happy. What other people do with their lives and costuming does not effect me or make me change who I am or what I make. While I’d love to be somebody with all of this, it’s not my life ambition nor is it my full time gig, so let it roll!

What advice do you have for someone just starting out?

USE YOUR RESOURCES!

I teach myself almost everything I do! And when I first started, I used the internet like nobody’s business. There is so much help online, don’t rely on just “asking a costumer everything”. People get busy, people get selfish, and the best way to get what you want done, is to go out and do it. Take the initiative. Costuming forums are my favorite thing ever, even if forums are dying.

Check out places like The Outfit, The SCF, the RPF. Utilize Youtube, Cosplay.com, even just Google!

If you could change anything since you started, what would it be?

I wouldn’t change anything! Things happen as they happen, and I’m not a selfish person. Stubborn, yes, but not selfish. Learn to adapt and learn to accept. Life is so much easier when you don’t give a shit

What does the future hold for you?

As I mentioned above, I’m fairly excited to start my “tour” in 2014! My primary focus is to go to the people and party! Experience new conventions I’ve never been to, people I’ve always wanted to meet!

If you’d like to see more of Kearstin Nicholson or keep up with her work, check out the links below. Give her Facebook page a like if you enjoy her work!

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