Cosplay Connection, hosted by Maddie, is all about learning more about cosplayers and their journeys. This time, Maddie went live on the Temple of Geek Instagram to interview cosplayer Katie Haynes (katiegangel). Katie is most known for her Doctor Who cosplay of the Thirteenth Doctor (played by Jodie Whittaker).
Katie’s cosplay journey
Katie has been cosplaying since 2008. Her first character was Reno from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. She designed the wig and costume herself. Then, when she found that cosplaying is something that people do day-to-day.
“I always knew about dressing up for cons, or obviously dressing up for Halloween, but I didn’t realize it was something that you could just do day to day. And then, once I realized that you could do it, I was all over it.”
Like a lot of cosplayers, Katie prefers to choose characters that she has a connection with.
“Every single character I cosplay, I’ve got a connection to…the character has to mean something to me.”
The spirit of the characters shows in Katie’s cosplays
Katie takes cosplay to another level. She creates incredible videos where she takes on the spirit of her characters. They’re authentic, emotional, uplifting, and powerful. Katie let us know whether or not this is something that comes naturally:
“I have a background in theater. I’ve been studying theater since I was about twelve years old. I went to the Chicago Academy for the Arts, that is my home away from home…I got my Bachelor’s in Theater, I studied the Michael Chekhov acting technique. So, it does come from acting. Another part of it is from Jodie herself.”
Then, Katie dives into how she suffers from depression and anxiety. Part of what she brings to her videos is what she feels the Doctor would know or say. How would the Doctor react to someone coming out to their parents? How would she react to someone having a panic attack?
@katiegangel44 #transgender #translivesmatter #transvisibilityday #blacktranslivesmatter #doctorwho #transrightsarehumanrights #13thdoctor #thirteenthdoctor
Words of wisdom
Here at Temple of Geek, we stand by the phrase “all cosplay is valid.” If you are interested in seeking out Screen Accurate pieces, then great! If you are someone who wants to make their own, then great! Cosplay pieces from thrift stores, Amazon, pre-made websites are also great. Katie stands by this, too. She gives advice for anyone who is wanting to start cosplay, Doctor Who or otherwise.
“Cosplay a character that means something to you. Cosplay a character – I don’t care how old you are, what your skin color is, what your body shape is – cosplay the character that means something to you. Because, I promise you, you put it on, you feel it, you’re going to rock it. It doesn’t matter what anybody else says.”
You can follow Katie here:
Instagram: @katiegangel
TikTok: @katiegangel44
Twitter: @gabrielsangel44
For more cosplay articles:
Cosplay on a budget: how to create Doctor Who cosplays
Cosplayer and Actor KAL Smith talks about cosplay and his latest projects
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