Cosplayer of the Week: Unicorn Astronaut
If you wanted to know more about a goddess of a cosplayer then you came to the right place! This here is Unicorn Astronaut aka Uni Astronaut and she streams on Twitch, cosplays, and makes incredible content on Tik Tok!
Enjoy our interview with Uni Astronaut!
What is your cosplay origin story?
Back in the day, I used to be a raver girl! I loved to commission rave attire for people and got super into Perler art accessories. I loved to make things nerd-inspired and started selling my work at local comic conventions in the artist alley. I was so INTIMIDATED by cosplayers when I first learned about them. I absolutely admired their ability to make costumes for themselves and honestly never thought that I was good enough to do it myself. Some coworkers and I decided to try it one day and cosplay together at the next local con, and well, the rest is history. =)
Out of all the years you have done cosplay, what has been one of your more favorite/proudest memories?
There’s a few! I’d say my proudest moments are when I’ve been booked for events that are out of state. I never really thought that my work was good enough to be a featured guest. Another huge one was having the opportunity to be a host on the HyperX Esports truck last summer. I got to travel to such wonderful places with that company, and I met so many wonderful people in the process!
Many people online will simply see one of your images, appreciate it for the moment and move on. However, I know that a lot of care and time goes into photoshoots. Could you describe your process for a cosplay photoshoot from the concept to when it hits your fans?
Of course! I have a hugeeee, and I’m talking extremely huge list of cosplans… and a whole closet of cosplays that need to be shot. During this process, my photographers and I come up with locations for them with questions. Is it going to be studio-based? Do we have a location outside somewhere? Should we get an airbnb or hotel for the shoot location? Can we build a set with the materials we have laying around? Once we figure out an appropriate set for the character, I go ahead and book a day to shoot it.
Man, the shooting days are extremely long. It takes me anywhere from 1-3 hours to get ready for the cosplay (I’m not good with eye contacts, and my eyebrows need layers of glue to cover them and color them appropriately). Once I’m ready, the actual shooting takes about an hour and a half. If we are switching scenes or walking around outside, it can take way longer than that, maybe even the whole day! Don’t get me started on self-shooting haha! For those sets, I have to know what key light, hair light, and backdrops I’ll be using for the character, then the setup needs to be adjusted throughout the shoot depending on my poses. The editing process takes about 2+ hours for a set of 10-20 pictures. I’m not joking, it’s a very long process to color and skin retouch!
Out of all the cosplays you have ever done which one was your personal favorite even if it was not super well received by fans?
There’s a couple. Subzero Elsa will most definitely be the most favorite thing I’ve ever created ever. Then Future Trunks is a hard second. I’ve recreated her so many times and fall even more in love with her every process.
You feature a lot of awesome geeky content, what is your absolute favorite geeky medium? (Video games, anime, comics, film, etc.)
Video games for sure! I have a huge library of retros and like to call myself a vintage collector. One of my bucket list items is to own every Super Nintendo game. I’m at 78. I have a very long way to go.
Subbed or Dubbed Anime?
I’m a dirty dubber unless there’s something out that I must see that’s only in Japanese… I’ve been getting so much better during quarantine, however! I’m currently watching Dragonball Super with subs, and I may have seen a BNHA movie or two with subs. I’m moving up in the world.
It is apparent that you hustle to provide content for fans but when you actually have a day off, how do you spend it?
I LOVE traveling, but since that’s non-existent due to the pandemic, I’ve been spending my days off playing Yugioh games on my PS2 and going on long walks at unexplored parks in my area with my Pokemon GO app.
You just radiate such confidence and the swagger of a champion. However, a lot of geeks often struggle with overwhelming self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. When you have those bad days and get down on yourself, what do you do to remind yourself that you are wonderful?
Man, this is such a tough question. I struggle a lot with self-confidence, as I was a product of extremely bad bullying throughout elementary and high school. There’s a ton of days where I get in my head, and I compare myself to others on the internet. I have an amazing support system that helps me through those days.
My roommate and significant other are always there for the pep talks and they gas me up constantly! I’m am also a message or text away from my friends too. We are there for each other, and lift each other up in those low times. If I need mental health breaks, I take days off. I do my Pokemon GO walks, or call my parents back in my hometown. Also, working out has helped me a lot too!
What is one piece of advice you wish you received when you first got into modeling/cosplay?
DON’T STOP DOING STUFF BECAUSE THE INTERNET IS MEAN. Don’t let these incels and anime avatars tell YOU that your stuff sucks. They can’t even make their own content. You’re so much better than them. Just laugh at every mean comment that you get and know that the people that admire your work outnumber them by a lot.
Also, don’t go into debt doing cosplay. Work at your own financial pace. Being topical is great, but growing does take time regardless of how quick you produce your content.
Where can we find you online?
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, Twitch @UniAstronaut =)
Chicano | Fighting/Writing for Diversity | DM since 08 | Anime Lover | Site: https://www.thegeeklyfe.com | info@thegeeklyfe.com | http://twitch.tv/that_deangelo | https://linktr.ee/deangelomurillo
Post a Comment
Nikki_boagreis
Very nice cosplay, nicely done.