Cosplayer Feature: Shanay
“Own your talent. Own your individuality. You owe it to yourself to celebrate your originality.”
How long have you been doing cosplay and what first got you interested?
I first started cosplaying in 2013. I was in downtown Baltimore when I saw all these wonderful people in costume. I zoomed in and noticed that the costumes I saw were elaborate characters from my childhood. I was instantly hooked.
Who is your favorite Lore Olympus character to cosplay?
I love all the dark and macabre characters of Lore Olympus. Nyx, Styx and Cronus are my favorite characters because of their devious attitude or character design. I also can't ignore Queen Perse going berserk because that is an eternal mood.
What is the most memorable cosplay you did? And why?
The most memorable cosplay I've done was when I first debuted my Persephone cosplay at Otakon 2019. Compared to my LO cosplays now that are much more intricate, it was my first time coming back to body paint from a very long hiatus. Everything that could go wrong that day with my cosplay, did go wrong. I forgot my bra. I painted the wrong leg. And I ran out of powder.
But even with all of that drama, that was the first time that I was shown so much support and awe at a con. It was such an overwhelming and positive experience.
Tell us your Lore Olympus story. What got you into Lore Olympus and what made you stay?
I first saw an ad for LO on YouTube and was instantly in love with the aesthetic. Reading the complexities of the webtoon drew me in even more and I was mentally in the same world that Senpai Rachel has created.
Any advice for a new cosplayer out there?
Don't cosplay for the likes, the fame or the competition.
Cosplay because you have a character that resonates with you so much that they have inspired you to create artistic masterpieces in your way.
So that at the end of the day, the only person who needs to be proud of and appreciate your work is yourself. Own your talent. Own your individuality. You owe it to yourself to celebrate your originality.
Just for fun: Who did you get on the Hades’ dog character quiz?
Lol! I got Cordon Bleu: short, full of rage and glamorous. True king of the underworld.
Shanay is a 30 year old creative obsessed with sci-fi, halloween, bodypaint, the macabre and bakery. Follow her on social media below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sayonay_cosplay/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SayoNay-Cosplay-107989973874973/
OTHER FEATURES:
Courtney is a style and fashion addict, sharing some really interesting insights on Lore Olympus characters.