#FeatureFriday with Neverdreamchild

This amazing Canadian cosplayer has a ton to share. Keep reading to find out all about her cosplays and dreams!

Hello! My name is Meliz and I go by neverdreamchild. I’ve been cosplaying for twelve years & I am from Ottawa, ON.  

How and when did you get into cosplay?
Twelve years ago, my friends and I were wondering if there was such a thing as conventions in Canada. We had never heard of them, so they wanted to create one, give us a reason to dress up as our favourite anime characters! Turns out I found out that there was an anime convention in Toronto. We dressed up and attended the same year! It was mind blowing! I attended as Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist.

Neverdreamchild all started when people kept saying I was a child at heart and to never stop dreaming. I was also always a big Disney fan thus the name. My previous cosplay name was milk-kohi for my love of lattes.

What do you do when you're not in cosplay or geeking out?
On work days I work as a receptionist for Insolvency Trustees. On my free time you can usually find me attempting art (sketch & watercolour), gaming, playing tabletop and chilling with my fiancée and our cats. Also we’re foodies so we’re always looking for the best restaurants.

What is your proudest cosplay accomplishment?
Our Lord of Rings group. Certain patterns we worked with were directly from the films which added a lot more work than expected. The response from these costumes were great both from everyone including actors from the LOTR cast (Billy Boyd, Sean Astin, Karl Urban & John Rhys Davis) that we met at cons.

What cosplay(s) are you working on right now?
Nomad Genji & Van Helsing McCree from Overwatch. Anne Wheeler from the Greatest Showman and Connor from Detroit: Become Human

Who is your cosplay idol/inspiration?
Alysson Tabitha has always been a great influence to me, her work is amazing! Ebody Warrior and Akakioga are my favourite cosplayers.

With all the negativity in the cosplay community these days, what's a positive message you would like to enforce and encourage others with?
Never give up! If cosplaying is what you love, do it! Even if you have to purchase a cosplay or a wig, commission someone or you’re going to tackle something new and try to make it yourself, it doesn’t matter, just be you! Trust in yourself and you keep doing what you love. Cosplay is not a competition, it’s meant to be for everyone. You wear those cosplays proudly!

What is your dream cosplay?
Wonder Woman (2017) & Widowmaker (Lunar skin) from Overwatch.

What is your favorite convention to attend and why?
I haven’t been to that great variety of conventions. I do love Otakuthon, I have been attending it for 10 years and honestly it just feels like home. It’s crazy to see just how it’s grown as a convention. Also shout out to Fan Expo, what a massive amazing convention.

Do you have any cosplay or convention pet peeves?
Cosplay is not consent being constantly ignored. Don’t go out grabbing people without their okay. Another is that there are some people who think they have the right to dictate or judge a cosplayer by their appearance and tell them what they should wear as cosplay or not. We’re here for a good time and show love for these characters. Size, body type, skin colour even our height should not affect us and the character we want to cosplay.

Do you have any horror stories or mistakes you've made that others can learn from?
Always bring safety pins and emergency mini sewing kits to conventions. You never know when your cosplay may break, fall apart or unsewn.  

Also! Wig caps and wigs, make sure they fit you. I’ve suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain and took a few months to recover from it. Be careful and know when to give your body a break.

Do you have any tips or words of encouragement for other cosplayers?
That dream cosplay you want to make or get? Get to it! Don’t stop yourself and achieve those dreams! Don’t let anyone put you down. If you feel lost, know that the community today is massive and there is always someone out there willing to help you out! Cosplay is all about community, we have each other’s backs! Never give up!

Do you have anything else you want to say, or add to this interview?
Keep doing your best and doing what you love. Don’t see the cosplay community as competition even though it may just look like a big competitive world out there. You don’t have to be like them just be you. Some of us are awkward shy beans such as myself and that just makes us who we are. Cosplay is for everyone.

Where can we find you on all things social?
Instagram: @neverdreamchild
Facebook
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Photos for this interview provided by Neverdreamchild

What a great interview! If you or someone you know deserves a spotlight on the blog, reach out via my contact page!