Today we’d like to introduce you to Rei Medrano.
Hi Rei, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Rei. I’m a 34-year-old costume builder/cosplayer who’s been cosplaying now for roughly 3 and a half years. I started my cosplaying way back in high school & college as I was involved in theatre productions and sang in choir. I was really fascinated with being able to change into different characters and seeing the reactions of people every time I performed. With the circumstances of life, I had to forego performing in place of handling things for my family, so I didn’t get back into cosplay/performing as a whole until late 2019, a few months before 2020 when the world had to stop due to Covid-19.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been the smoothest of roads, but the journey itself has been humbling and an educational one. First of all, as I mentioned COVID-19 had definitely put a stop to so many things not just as a creative, but overall, around the world. So, for me to come into this early while the world had to shut down was definitely not something I was able to prepare for starting off. Secondly, with costuming/cosplay, many people tend to look at this as some sort of “basement-esque niche.” Even though pop culture has brought cosplaying into the forefront, there is still a perceived notion that similar to D&D and the Renfaire that there is a certain time and place to do so. Lastly, a big struggle that I still try to find confidence in is the physical aspect of it. Many people who are successful cosplaying (similar to actors and models) have a certain look to them. I am a big and tall POC Male who tends to be either typecast or look dismissively compared to my fellow counterparts who have different more “marketable” approach. As it stands, I try to look past it and relish in my uniqueness as more of a blessing rather than something to be ashamed of, but body dysmorphia is still very much a thing I struggle with.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So, I am an up-and-coming Costume Creator (Cosplayer), who focuses on characters that are specifically Big & tall-centric. Many of my works have been predominately creating costumes from many pop culture references. Many from Gaming, Anime & Disney. I am more commonly known for being the “H-Town Maui” as I’ve performed as “Maui” from the Disney movie “Moana” and more recently as “Bowser” from the Super Mario video game series. I think what I’m most proud of and also what sets me apart is the fact that I’m a “Body Positive” cosplayer. I see a plethora of different folks that have created costuming but never those who are either Big and/or Tall, and I thrive in knowing that I’m helping in leading a charge for more visibility in the space. I truly believe that anyone can/should be comfortable dressing up as anything that they want, whatever size/shape they are.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’d say my shamelessness would be first. It takes someone who doesn’t care what others are thinking and to come into whatever space to do what you believe you can do best. Especially knowing that people may be initially judging you without knowing what you are about. My humbleness would be another, as I don’t take whatever success or newfound notoriety in the space for granted. I try to be aware of how blessed I am that others see what I do as an inspiration and that they, too, want to do something in their own way. Lastly, I’d say my creative vision. Again, it takes a unique outlook on what is unique and fresh that makes you different than most. I grew up singing ever since I was in elementary school and found joy in performing and thriving on stage as many different characters that I too wanted to be those characters in real life now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bento.me/creativerain
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/Creativera1n
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRa1n/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/creativera1n
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@creativera1n
Image Credits
Jtcos.photos
ricardos_portraits
Theavacadoshow
rxgphotography
