There were so many awesome booths at the recent El Paso Comic Con that despite spending hours there each day, I could not help but feel I had missed a lot once I left. One booth that I did not overlook was that of cosplayer Missy Mayhem. After all it’s not every day that you meet a cosplayer who also happens to be a professional wrestler.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfpF43yl0lH/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: Tell us a little about yourself; Where are you from and how did you get into cosplay?
M.M: I’m originally from Corpus Christi, TX over by the Gulf of Mexico, I moved to San Antonio, TX for a short time and finally I now live in Atlanta, GA! I found cosplay by finding a local anime convention in my area, did my research and realized people were dressing up as their favorite characters to these things! I went to the local costume shop and dropped $20 on a gothic lolita costume and went as a lolita vampire! While I was there I learned that people could actually make their costumes, so down the rabbit hole I went!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfq-4_IlZBo/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: When was your first con and what was it like?
M.M: My first con was something else compared to what we have nowadays. imagine 2007 (over 10 years ago), few people in costume, Yaya Han herself was “up and coming”, people were still playing “the game” (you know) There actually wasn’t a lot of nightlife associated with the convention and also a lot more japanese culture panels instead of cosplay panels. I really do enjoy what our community has done to the convention scene, it was pretty uptight until cosplay came around.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd6wvNdltRc/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: Along with being a cosplayer and a model you’re also a professional wrestler in training. How long have you been into pro wrestling and what made you decide to make the transition from fan to performer?
M.M: I’ve been watching for a while and I just kind of fell in love with it very quickly. Last year I had been thinking about doing it but didn’t know if I could commit but something just switched in me and I told myself, “I’d rather spend my life knowing than not knowing!”. The art of wrestling is truly something to be admired. I love training in the gym but more importantly, I want to learn how to perform, improv and think on my feet. I’m naturally a shy, nice person, so I want to use wrestling to teach me how to be more aggressive and become a stronger version of myself!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhJ6yXhl8ak/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: Who’s your favorite wrestler?
M.M.: I love Jericho but I can’t help but enjoy the work of Kevin Owens too, not to mention Shawn Michaels! Too many to choose from, but a current favorite of mine is Toni Storm who’s working in Japan right now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfck52CFSGe/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: You attend conventions, have to train, and somehow find time for your personal life. How are you able to juggle everything you have going on?
M.M.: I’m still having trouble adjusting and I’m 3 months into my training. I just take it one day at a time, plan out my week best I can but also know that not everything will go my way.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfR9jVKFSOB/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: I assume you want to make a career out of either modeling or wrestling. Which would you prefer or do you want to do something else entirely?
M.M.: I want to be a wrestler for sure. I’m already a working full-time model/cosplayer so I’ve “made it” in that sense. Every time I go to training and get in the ring I just have so much fun! Modeling can feel like work sometimes but with wrestling it’s not like that. Eventually however, I’d like to use my knowledge in branding/marketing in some sort of corporate setting, but I’m young right now so I’m gonna do young people stuff like chase dreams and realize them!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfD_iqNF-J1/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: In today’s multimedia world, cosplay is more prevalent than ever. There’s access to more mediums and it’s easier to get your costumes out for the world to see. What separates you from other cosplayers?
M.M.: I feel like what separates me and it’s especially something you may not know until you meet me in person, is that I have a belief that each and every one of us nerds deserves love, respect, and I try my very best to provide that. We all have our struggles and I believe when you walk through that door, you should be able to forget about all the bad and enjoy the good, at least for that weekend.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BetAe_RFoZn/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: Social media is extremely important nowadays and a great way of getting your work out to the public. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negatives. How do you deal with downside of navigating social media?
M.M.: I do my best to post as often as I can with good content, in hopes that at least a percentage of my fans will get at least one post. Right now because of the restrictions that FB/IG are putting on their page reach, I’m committing time to work on my YouTube channel in hopes I can reach more people that way.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh71X_BFCGT/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: How did you come up your cosplay name?
M.M.: My fiance and I were trying to think of wrestling names and BOOM there it was! Missy Mayhem!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhgrqJ3lo5o/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
M.M.: I’m not sure, I’m quite an open book. I have a twin brother…Kevin Owens blocked me on twitter…I really enjoy macaroons.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYGPFWQlq0y/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
AiPT!: Are there any upcoming projects/conventions you would like to promote?
M.M.: SURE, You can find me at my next couple of shows;
Kameha-con – Irving, TX – May 4-6
Momo-con – Atlanta, GA – May 24-27
Comic Con Palm Springs – Aug 24-26
Right now I’m working on some cosplays for all of those events including:
Beerus – Dragon Ball Super
Tracer – Overwatch
Freddy Krueger – Nightmare on Elm St.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgC497VlM5e/?hl=en&taken-by=cultofmayhem
You can also find Missy Mayhem online at:
CultofMayhem.com
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