Cosplayer Spotlight: Livelylifeofleah!

Header photo by TFerg

The Cosplay Herald recently got the opportunity to sit down with our first Spotlight Cosplayer: Livelylifeofleah!

Leah is a crafty cosplay artist and educator with over 4 years of craftsmanship, commissions, and design experience. She has a knack for transforming beloved characters into vibrant realities through innovative builds crafted from unconventional materials. Whether it's through her inventive designs or her hands-on workshops, Leah's playful approach to cosplay makes her a standout in the community. In addition to her passion for cosplay, she’s a seasoned professional speaker with experience hosting and emceeing cosplay contests at conventions and special events. Whether she’s presenting workshops or hyping up a crowd in full costume, she brings energy, humor, and professionalism to every stage she steps onto.

We got to chat about Leah's inspirations, achievements, and plans for the future.

Photo by TFerg

Who or What inspired you to start cosplaying?

I had always been interested in costumes and costume making since I was a kid. I come from a theater background and one of my favorite places to go was the costume room. I would explore all the fun textures and look at the inside of the costumes to see how they were made. Then I started my own princess party company and started making my own costumes. That led to my friend inviting me out to DragonCon and I have been in love with cosplaying ever since.

How do you choose which characters to cosplay?

I love collecting skills. One of my favorite things about cosplaying is you get to teach yourself very nuanced and technical abilities. So when I pick a character it's normally to learn a particular skill. For example, I wanted to learn how to make my own temporary tattoos. This year at DragonCon I built a VI from Arcane costume so that I could create her giant back tattoo. It's the challenges that draw me to a character.

Do you have a standout memory that perfectly captures why you love cosplaying?

My first year at DragonCon we got a Airbnb near the Mercedes-Benz stadium, which means we took MARTA a couple of stops to get to the convention center. I remember getting onto MARTA and looking around the car dress in my giant yellow Belle cosplay. On one side of the car was a Batman cosplayer in full skin tight rubber and on the other side was the whole Powerpuff Girls group including Professor X. Then there was me in my giant yellow Belle ball gown. The rest of the car was filled with Falcons fans headed to the game. The dichotomy of a whole bunch of fanatics in one place. Some comic nerds, some Disney nerds and some sports nerds. All in one place. All headed to do what they love. I giggle every time I think of it.

Photo by Walil Archer Photography, Hair of the Dragon

Have you built lasting friendships or collaborations through cosplay?

My favorite thing about cosplaying is the people that I've met along the way. People from all walks of life and all backgrounds coming together for something they love. It's like chosen family. Some of my favorite cosplaying memories have been building costumes with other cosplayers. Even if we're not working on the same project, and we're just working in the same room, there is nothing like the creative energy that is created when cosplayers get to work side by side.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to cosplay but doesn’t know where to start?

Just start. Do you want to cosplay? Then do it. Don't wait for the perfect character or until you're "good enough." Doesn't matter your skill. Bought or fully constructed, cosplay is for everyone! Including you!

Photo by TFerg

Where do you see your cosplay journey going in the next few years?

In my civilian job, I own a corporate training company which means I am a professional yapper. I would love to transition into the world of emceeing cosplay events. I had the fortune of emceeing a cosplay competition at Momocon 2025 and I fell in love. I'd love to do more of that. Put my two loves together!

Photo by TFerg