We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Barr Foxx. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Barr below.

Alright, Barr thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is the award-winning documentary, Cosplay Your Way: In Color. This project was a labor of love and the embodiment of many things that are important to me, which are cosplay, spotlighting creatives and creating compelling content. It was birthed out of the desire to give cosplayers, especially cosplayers of color, a platform where they are welcomed and encouraged to engage in the art of cosplay.

Under the Cosplay Your Way umbrella, I have an annual shoot entitled, CosNoir, where a cosplayer of color is featured each day of Black History Month. When the pandemic intensified, the world was shutting down, which meant the CosNoir photo shoot was being shut down as well. Being that I felt the pandemic was definitely a time to put out as many positive vibes as possible, I got the idea to create a documentary out of the CosNoir footage from over the years. At the time, I did not know what would become of it, I just wanted to do something in hopes of it being inspiring.

I worked with the production company, The Edit Factor to create the Cosplay Your Way: In Color documentary, submitted it to film festivals and contacted conventions to see if they would be open to featuring the documentary. Cosplay Your Way: In Color was well received, reaching new audiences and making it into extraordinary film festivals like the Cannes Short Film Festival. In the midst of the documentary being shared with welcoming audiences, the documentary became the proud winner of two Telly Awards.

To date, Cosplay Your Way: In Color has been shown at New York Comic Con, Comic Con Africa, Dragon Con, Blerdcon, and Momocon, to name a few, as well as streaming on Movement TV and Influencer TV.

This accomplishment means so much to me because it allowed me to expose the world to a variety of dynamic cosplayers of color, as well as stand-out talents like specialty costume designer, Walter Dean of Dean’s Lyst, known for Marvel Becoming and famed photographer, Dru Phillips of AMP Cosplay, best known for Heroes Of Cosplay.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am JaBarr Lasley, also known as Barr Foxx in the cosplay community. I am an award-winning cosplay artist and television/film producer. I LOVE COSPLAY, which is a clever word that combines the words costume and play, for those that are unfamiliar!

Although most of my cosplay work is comprised of Marvel and DC superhero/villain characters, I can be seen representing all areas of cosplay, inserting my style and avant-garde personality into the final look whilst embodying the characters I choose…ultimately creating a style that I call cosplay chic’!

As a cosplay artist, I take pride in discussing the creative art form of cosplay by speaking on panels at conventions to empower cosplayers to “cosplay their way”. My national brand, Cosplay Your Way, promotes cosplay through imagery, film and live events while encouraging individuals to embrace the art of cosplay by choosing desired characters, regardless of race, age, size, sexual orientation, or gender. Through the Cosplay Your Way brand, I serve as a liaison to get cosplayers booked on projects, sponsor events such as “The Convoluted Cruise”, which is a cosplay-themed cruise, and have annual events, such as CosNoir, which is a live photoshoot experience spotlighting cosplayer of color.

As a result of my body of work and dedication to the craft, I have made a name for myself in the cosplay community as one to watch. I enjoy being a resource for those new to cosplaying and those wanting to broaden their scope by pushing the limits of cosplay. I have been featured in a variety of videos and podcasts celebrating the talents of cosplay artists. I had the esteem honor of being spotlighted on DC FanDome (2020 and 2021), as well as Marvel’s official website, BET and in various articles recognizing exceptional cosplayers in cosplay. To date, I am extremely proud of the six-page spread – yes, I said six-page spread – article of me in Oz Magazine, The Georgia Film Industry Resource.

As Barr Foxx, I aim to create a positive outlet for all cosplayers, keeping the “play” in cosplay at the forefront. You can often find me at some of my favorite conventions: Ranger Pop & Stop, Dragon Con, Blerdcon, Momocon, LA Comic Con and New York Comic Con. I am still determined to get to San Diego Comic Con, it is on my wish list.

You can learn more about my contributions to the art of cosplay in the award-winning documentary, “Cosplay Your Way: In Color”, currently airing on Movement TV, Influencer TV and featured at select comic conventions.

Use YOUR voice, express YOUR style and do it YOUR way.”

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Promoting other cosplayers and collaborating with creative talents is one of my many missions. When I began my cosplay journey, I was in awe and excited to find likeminded individuals that shared my love for being in costume. It was not long before I was accosted with unsavory remarks about being a Black man in this arena, as well as seeing an undeniable difference in how cosplayers of color were treated. Some of the biggest shockers was seeing a photographer pretend to take a photo of a POC cosplayer and seeing people shamed for their size and costumes.

After a few experiences that disheartened me, I decided to do something about it. I knew I could not change the minds of discriminative people, but I could do what I could to encourage, support and promote people of color in cosplay. Because of this desire, Cosplay Your Way was born. Since Cosplay Your Way’s inception, I have done as much as I could to give people of color of voice in cosplay, as well as handi-capable cosplayers, LGBTQIA, cosplayers over 30 and anyone wanting to cosplay without gatekeepers ruining their experience.

I have been able to make a difference in the community and I hope I continue to be someone that influences cospositivity. One of the moments I am most proud of is when the Emmy’s reached out to me to request one of the photos featured on my Cosplay Your Way Instagram page to show during the program. It is scenarios like this that motivates me to never stop exposing the world to this art.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative and artist is not being afraid to be vulnerable. True artist put their heart and passion into their craft, which means they open themselves up for random people’s reactions and responses. Many times, those responses can be heavy, but they can also be wonderful. Either way, both are fuel to keep pushing and hone your craft.

When people ask me what the best part is of being Barr Foxx, the answer is simple. The best part of what I do is being able to meet a variety of dynamic and talented people that push creativity pass expectations. Through this art form, I get to meet musicians, designers, photographers, videographers, foamsmiths, painters, models, etc…the list is limitless. Many of those individuals have become inspirations, business partners and lifetime friends.

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self that I would have a career wearing costumes of my favorite comic and movie characters, I would not believe it. Embarking on this journey has been exhilarating and has opened doors I never imagined would be open to me. There are rewards to being a cosplay artist on multiple levels.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cosplayyourway / @barrfoxx
• Facebook: @cosplayyourway / @barrfoxx
• Twitter: @cosplayyour_way / @barrfoxx
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/cosplayyourway
• Other: TIK TOK – @barrfoxx

Image Credits
Barr Foxx as Bishop – Tim Osier, New Georgian Studios Barr Foxx as Black Cat – Shane Ramey Barr Foxx as Captain America – Danique Events Barr Foxx as Jubilee – Costume by Dean’s Lyst Barr Foxx as Killmonger – Dru Phillips of AMP Cosplay Barr Foxx as Shaman – Your Mojo By Jojo Barr Foxx as Spiderman Noir – Dr. Goodknight Barr Foxx as Static Shock – Dru Phillips of AMP Cosplay Barr Foxx and Super Friends 06 – Dr. Law’s Photolab & Mahogany Wings Photo Barr Foxx and Super Friends 07 – Dr. Law’s Photolab