Cosplay Interview: Roby Dee

Roby Dee is a cosplayer that slipped under my nose more times than I could ever imagine. When we made the call that we’d be assisting indie cosplayers with photoshoots, Roby Dee responded and wanted to work with us. It was then that I realized I had seen her before multiple times but I never made the connection that she was Roby Dee! When we were able to meet up and do the photoshoot, Roby was an extremely kind and professional who knew the ropes when it came to cosplay and photoshoots. Despite being in the sub-level of a parking garage on an incredibly hot Arizona summer day, she dealt with it like a pro. Needless to say she has a ton of my respect!

I’m so glad I was able to interview her! Without further ado, here is my interview with Roby Dee!

The Geek Lyfe: Although I am a fan of yours, there may be a few Geek Lyfers who have not seen your work before, would you be alright introducing yourself?

Roby Dee: Hiiii! *Waves* I’m Roby Dee and I’m an Arizona based cosplayer, fangirl and all-around nerd.

GL: I’ve followed you for some time yet never learned the origin story! Could you tell us how you got into cosplay and what led you to where you are now?

RD:  I always preferred Halloween to Christmas growing up. I loved dressing up and becoming someone that I looked up to. The love of costuming and all things dramatic followed me all through primary and high school. I was in every play that I could audition for! I moved away from my small hometown in Arkansas to the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I think that’s where I got my first real taste of the idea of cosplay. It wasn’t till much later that I would attend my first convention then my first convention in costume! I wish that I had found out about the world of cosplay long before I had. I would have done more to better myself in the art of costuming. But as it is, I’m in a good place in my life financially and actually able to afford to make costumes and to take time off work for conventions, so I think it has all worked out in the end.

GL: What has been your favorite moment so far Cosplaying?

RD: I have done a lot of charity work in cosplay, so that’s always a great feeling. But I have to say dressing up like a princess and having the little kids be so excited to see me makes my heart melt every time.

GL: What is the most frustrating part?

RD: I’m completely self-taught, so I fight a lot with my inexperience. I also tend to take on too many projects and let myself get overwhelmed. I really hate having to redo something that I made a silly mistake on too.

GL: Is there one situation in your cosplay career that you can always look back on and laugh? If so, what’s the story?

RD: At one point last year right before Phoenix Comicon, right in the middle of crunch time in constructing my Elsa (Frozen) costume I was so sleep-deprived and stressed I threw on my Elsa wig (badly and without tucking my own hair into a cap) and my half sewn dress and started running around the house singing “Let it go” very loudly and off-key. I’m pretty sure my family thought I had gone completely mad at that point, and I don’t blame them. There are photos and probably a video floating around somewhere.

GL: When you aren’t doing making costumes and attending conventions, what do you do in your spare time?

RD: Haha What spare time? I have a full-time job so really my costuming is my spare time activity. But if I’m not actively preparing for an event I’m usually catching up on my favorite TV shows (Arrow, Flash, Supernatural, iZombie just to name a few) and probably doing some gaming. Any extra time beyond that, I try to squeeze in a few books a year.

GL: What geek medium(Video Games, Comic Books, Novels, Movies, etc.) made the biggest impact on your life and why?

RD: I’ve always been a big reader, I had so many books growing up, I was never without one. Between that and gaming (my whole family is full of gamers, we have a working in television and atari so gaming is in my blood) I think I was just destined to be the awesomely awkward nerdling I am today!

GL: You are stuck in a zombie apocalypse. You may take on the powers of any character you have cosplayed previously. Who is it and why?

RD: My first instinct is to say Dark Phoenix… because she’d be the most likely to survive with little trouble. But I’m going to have to go with Spider-Gwen because who WOULDN’T want to be a “Spider” during the Zombie Apocalypse? I think it’d be pretty sweet!

GL: Do you have any projects in the near future we should be excited to see?

RD: Hmmm… I have a few things up my sleeve. I’m always scheming… I am working on my Jessica Rabbit costume which I’M really excited for, she’s been on my list for a while. I’ve got some “mashup” costumes stewing as well so you’ll have to keep an eye out!

GL: What advice do you have for any aspiring cosplayers out there?

RD: Just do it. Forget about your insecurities, and go for it. It’ll be tough, and you’ll probably cry, BUT it will pay off and you’ll have some of the best stories to tell!

I want to give a huge thank you to Roby Dee for not only taking the time to do a photoshoot with us but also for being such a kind and wonderful person. She is seriously wonderful when it comes to both cosplay and as a person in general! Be sure to follow her on Facebook!