We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diana The Great a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have always been very creative at heart, and sought to express that creativity in a variety of ways. Creativity melding with cosplay was what really solidified the initiative to learn as much as I was able. Most of it is trial and error; looking up a project or a method on youtube to see what worked for others, and then applying that to my own respective choices. I can work with foam, fabric and sewing, wig making and modifications, fabric dying, molding, thermoplastics, and very light electrical. Knowing what I do now, I could have tried to practice more before committing to the final build, and make mock ups so that I can modify a practice run before ruining my good fabric or wasting my good foam. To speed up the learning process, I definitely could have reached out more. I often keep to myself and hate to trouble anyone, but I have learned that at this stage of being a cosplayer, even if you’re the one doing the educating, there is always more to be learned. The skills that were the most essential were learning how to read sewing patterns properly, taking my time and not rushing through something, and to practice. As for obstacles that stand in the way of learning more, perhaps time not being on my side would be a good example. I still have to work full time and provide for my family. Though cosplay is gratifying, it doesn’t pay the bills yet.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Diana The Great. My brand name comes from a family motto; “not the first; not the last, but the greatest.” I am a cosplayer, costumer and crafter from the greater Kansas City area. I have been cosplaying for almost ten years, and creating for much longer. My love of costuming originated from Halloween costume contests at work, and going the extra mile for authenticity. Eventually, this translated into the convention world where a fierce passion for competing developed, leading to several victories and advances in rank. Now as a master level cosplayer, my efforts are geared towards education in creating, and showing that cosplay truly is for everyone. I think, as far as problem solving goes, that I assist with the build of a particular item, or mapping out the blueprints. I can’t tell you how many people have sought me out for consulting on their creative endeavors, learning how to sew, or how best to build their costume. What sets me apart from others is that I do my best to be the change I want to see in the costuming and cosplay industry– as a plus sized black woman, there has been a lot of adversity sent my way solely because of who I am. Naysayers would argue that I shouldn’t do a certain thing or emulate a certain cosplay because the source character wasn’t black. This is why I do my best to truly show that cosplay is genuinely for everyone, and that there’s nothing wrong with expressing your appreciation for a fandom or character regardless of your physical appearance. I am most proud of my role as a cosplay guest at our local conventions, serving as a judge for some of the costume contests and a resource for many many more costumers and cosplayers. The main thing that I would like them to know about my work is that I am proof that it can be done. There is truly nothing stopping you.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2020, during the very early parts of the pandemic, I had set out to do a very ambitious cosplay: Obsidian from Steven Universe. It’s one of those characters that only those within the fandom would recognize, and it had not been cosplayed by many since the character is so unique: larger than life, eight arms, giant hair, flaming eyes. My ambition was to be as canon as possible, but I was short on time since the pandemic was affecting delivery of my supplies. I was also devoting lot of time after work to build, sand, paint, sew, mold and seal things. Then the convention I was going to bring the cosplay to was ultimately cancelled. All of that hard work without any where to display it was a little disheartening. I finished my cosplay and opted to take some photos in a park, since those weren’t regulated on lockdown just yet. While at the park, someone threw something at me; a partially opened bottle of water, and sped off laughing, since I was in public, in cosplay, with six artificial arms and facepaint. Looking back, my anger at that treatment came through in some of the photos, but I still persevered. The convention that was cancelled had an online contest in place of the in person one, and I entered my costume and won best overall in my category; a major accomplishment.

In 2021, as conventions were resuming, I set out to take my Obsidian cosplay to another convention to compete in person. Normally, if you place best in a category, you’re unable to take that same cosplay to a different convention for competing, but this contest had a special clause for online victories in the pandemic year. I got Obsidian out to begin to make repairs. Through all of this, I also worked as a caregiver for my father; his health issues had him in and out of the hospital frequently. I spoke to him about possibly competing again, making provisions for his care while I would be gone, and he told me not to worry about it and to go ahead and go. The next day, July 5th 2021, he passed away. I had to switch my convention plans to memorial plans, and took some time to grieve and honor him. I don’t know if the proper thing to do, would be to back out of the contest, but the last thing he told me was to go ahead and go. I did, entering as an intermediate cosplayer with zero expectations to win. But, to my surprise, I was promoted to master level, and also took home best foamwork for that class. It was a daunting journey to create that cosplay, but it is the most fulfilling and heartwarming endeavors that I’ve embarked upon.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The ability to make an impact. At my most recent convention appearance, I was blown away by how many beginner cosplayers visited my booth to speak with me about how I’ve been able to help them in their cosplay journey; whether it was feedback, tips, suggestions, or just cheering them on. I do my best to champion for every cosplayer that I interact with, as having that kind of support will go a long way. There once was a time that I didn’t have any clue what I was doing, but those in my circle still encouraged me to press forward; that’s what led to competing, and paved the way for this cosplay thing to be what it is today.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.dianathegreat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diana.the.great/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dianathegreat1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dianathegreat

Image Credits
photographer: Daniel Alexander