It’s #ForceFriday and I wanted to share some thoughts. I’m not skinny: I’ve been told I’m “too fat” or “too heavy” for certain roles in shows. A while back, I got a slew of nasty comments on a lot of my old Mara Jade photos calling me the “fat Mara Jade” (among other names) and those comments hurt me so badly that I couldn’t bring myself to wear that costume for a year and a half. I still feel sick to my stomach while wearing that costume, and I haven’t worn it in more than a year since Katsucon 2018. I suffer from a slew of fun mental illnesses, including body dysmorphic disorder. I think it’s important to be open about body image and perception in the cosplay community and understand that “accuracy” is not the most important part of cosplay. Mara is petite like me, but she’s long and lithe and very slender, while I’m round and curvy in not-so-ideal places. It’s easy for me to be body positive for everyone else, but I have to live with the reflection in the mirror, and I have to live with the memory of those cruel words that ruined one of my favorite characters for me. Be kind. Don’t comment nasty things about makeup or body type, or give unwarranted criticism. It’s not helpful, it’s not necessary, and it’s cruel. Cosplay is a wonderful outlet of creative expression for so many people, and we need to be kinder to one another—and ourselves. I might never be happy with the way I look, but I am here for you. PC: @piercingmetalnyc #cosplay #starwars #starwarscosplay #starwarslegends #trashcompactor #marajade #marajadecosplay #marajadeskywalker #lightsaber #purplelightsaber #ultrasabers #ardawigs #ardastyle #starwarsday #cosplaygirl #cosplayer #bodydysmorphia #cosplaypositivity #cosplayersofinstagram #badasscosplay #womenofcosplay #forcegirls #expandeduniverse #wintercon #wintercon2017 #cosplaymodel #handoftheemperor https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkyNeijPah/?igshid=p9d8jw8htgax
