We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Spider GeMo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Spider, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
Honestly, every time I breathe, I feel like I misunderstood. Whether it’s the way I wear my cosplays, how I do my makeup, or even if I decide I want to wear a fully clothed outfit! It doesn’t stop me (for long at least), but it’s life. One time I was cosplaying Liberated Raven from Teen Titans (when her outfit & eyes are all white) & a had multiple people ask me if I was cosplaying Storm from X-Men. Mind you, I’m wearing purple hair, Raven’s belt, & a white cloak. This also has happened once when i cosplayed Danny Phantom too. I believe there are still many people in the community who think just because I am a black cosplayer, They assume that i’m just going to be cosplaying black characters. I’m pretty positive I grew up with the same characters from shows and movies and comics that you did and I also want to share my love for them as well. It kind of motivates me more.
To express myself through the characters that I can relate to.
Spider, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been cosplaying for almost three years, A burlesque performer for a year, & a Playboy Bunny for almost 4 months now! I didn’t really start modeling until end of my first cosplaying year around my birthday. And really I didn’t take it serious until last year. I love all of the ideas of fun, sensual, or even cursed cosplay content I come up with and my photographer friends are like, “Ok.” Haha! Around this time last year is when I started burlesque performing and I’m grateful for every opportunity I have to preform. It’s kind of therapeutic for me as I have been dancing/performing for pretty much all life! I was invited to help form the up & coming Tentacle Temptations Nerdlesque Troupe. Everyone involved is absolutely talented & brings something unique to the table. My Playboy journey started this year in April when I took my first trip to Las Vegas and went to the 18+ anime convention Tsumicon. Playboy last minute announced they were going be at the con too! When I was there I bumped into the talenting scout and she was super nice, enjoyed my personality, and called me super pretty! So she gave me an envelope with info on how to join the Playboy team and I have been working hard since then! It’s been slightly odd being considered one of the only plus-sized bunnies on the site. (let alone a bunny of color.) But it only makes me want try harder for those who don’t feel like they are confident enough. Perhaps I can help pave a path for those in the future.
How did you build your audience on social media?
The most ironic thing about me. I feel is I think most of my audience actually comes from in-person interactions that I have at social events. A lot of my friends do better in gaining audiences online, but I just don’t think it’s my style. When I model and pose for pictures, I become an actress for the still camera, but I rather you get to meet & greet me in real life in the moment to understand my true vibe! But if you truly prefer to create a social media presence, you can start by finding trends that you feel comfortable with testing out & then start making your own!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think the most rewarding thing about being an artist is when other people start to notice or connect with you on the idea that you’re putting out into the world. Or if someone else wants to try something similar or do their own thing, now that they have some new inspiration towards it. Not everyone can express theirselves the way they want. And everyday people lose their voice due to low self confidence, society pushing a certain agenda, or even having not being accepted by those they love most. At the end of the day, turn your scars
that impacted you the most through life and transform your pains into art. Use it as a harmless medium to express your story. Others just might can relate to it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.playboy.com/spidergemo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spidergem0?igsh=ZGp0NGc1ZDI3a3Nm
- Twitter: https://x.com/SpiderGemoJean?t=br6dxIfDUFcqwpelX9yuDQ&s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@spidergemo?si=U_oKsDtPGLgKfq4v
- Other: https://linktr.ee/SpiderGeMo
Image Credits
Ricardo Cardenas
Drew Kaizen
Rudy Campos