Name: Paul (Alias: Rockstar Cosplay)
City: NJ/NYC
Twitter: @rockinroller25
Facebook: Rockstar Cosplay
Photographer(s): Alchemist Photography (Nathan Drake), AG Vask (Spartacus)
What was your first Cosplay Experience?
It was rattling at first I didn’t know what to feel like, I tried acting in character the whole time cause I had thought that was what was usually done, then I just sort of met others who I chatted with, we gave each other ways to contact back when Myspace was still a thing or used AOL messenger (AIM).
How long have you been Cosplaying?
I’ve been cosplaying since I was about 15 years old with my first convention being New York Anime Festival I think it was either a Yu-Gi-Oh character or a Death Note character.
Who or What inspired you to take up Cosplaying?
I grew up obsessively wanting to be a different person all the time, I like being other people and seeing what its like to be that character which is why I’ve also gone to chase a career in screenwriting and acting. I also watched G4TV a lot at one point and whenever I saw coverage of San Diego Comic Con seeing all those costumes just blew my mind making me want to do that which is probably made me jump into it.
If you had to pick a favorite Cosplay you have worn or see someone else where What would it be?
I would have to say Spartacus or Nathan Drake currently. I love wearing Spartacus because I fell in love with the Starz series, I absolutely love history especially ancient Rome and anything related to gladiators, it had an awesome cast from Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Andy Whitfield (RIP original actor for Spartacus), Liam McIntyre (actor that continued the role) and was worked on by Steven S DeKnight who wrote some episodes for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Smallville so Spartacus was a more brutal series he worked on.
Anyway I loved the character of Spartacus, what he stood for and the dedication put in by all the actors for their roles as characters and training. I had always been slim but decently fit because of swimming competitively and martial arts but when I started planning Spartacus I knew I had to get into gladiator fighting shape so Spartacus inspired me to improve my personal lifestyle of what I eat and exercise more often. Also the man who commissioned my Spartacus armor put amazing work into the detail, unfortunately he shut down his etsy shop I will still give a shout out to House of Savage.
I love Nathan Drake cause his sarcasm, wit, charm and adventure essence has an Indiana Jones vibe and his personality and quotes are a lot of things my own friends say I remind them of, so I like to imagine that when I play the Uncharted games I sometimes catching myself thinking “That’s so me.” when he says something witty.
If you had unlimited funds and resources, what Cosplay would you create?
It’s tough for me to pick just one. Probably a lot of different massive armor stuff like Halo characters such as Master Chief, an ODST member or a custom Spartan. Maybe an Iron Man suit and last but not least Darth Revan from the Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic lore.
What advice would you offer others who are aspiring Cosplayers?
Whether you’re interested in competing in costume/cosplay contests, getting cool photo shoots of your cosplay done, or you just wanna hang out with friends in cosplay and act silly. My own philosophy which I apply to every day life “be cool, chill out and don’t be a dick” or to be a little more PG I go by this statement from New Orleans folk artist Dr. Bob “Be nice or leave”.
To learn more about Rockstar Cosplay, feel free to follow him on Twitter: @rockinroller25 or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocknrollcosplay
If you or someone you know would like to have a gallery featured on Geeks With Wives, please email Casey at gwwcapescrew@gmail.com!