A chat with Jessica Nigri about cosplay and games!

She's gotta catch em all!

"Cosplay, what the hell is that?". If this is what you were thinking when you read the title then let me explain it for you. Cosplay is where people dress up as characters from anime series or games. Sounds quite cool doesn't it? Of course it is!

We caught up with Jessica Nigri, one of the most known cosplay models in the world and also a hardcore gamer! We asked her about her cosplay experiences and how it all works, but also how her passion for gaming started.

First of all, thanks for making time for us. Lets start with the introduction, can you introduce yourself to our readers please? Like who is Jessica Nigri besides being a cosplay model?

Jessica: Jessica is a 22 year old girl who grew up in New Zealand running around barefoot in the mud pretending she was a super Saiyan! I am someone who LOVES making friends, collecting Pokemon, and making people laugh. I want to do something really great in this world but not in a LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME kind of way. I don't know what the future holds but I know I am having an absolutely freaking amazing time getting there!

When did you get into anime/games? What was it that made you fall in love with it?

Jessica: Oh man, I will honestly say it was Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, Resident and Tomb Raider that got me into Anime...and video games! I was 6 when my dad would play resident evil for hours on end with mini breaks to mc Donalds for ice cream cones. I started to pick up the controller and scream for Wesker myself.

It started to evolve heavily with Pokemon. Becoming so attached to the series and games, I slowly found more and more anime to watch. My favorite when I was 12 was Love Hina. I will admit, I totally loved the boobs. Haha.

Then I found out more anime had MORE boobs' and some anime showed nipple. Best day of my life when I found Chobits. Hahaha I kid I kid, but.... Not really. ;D

(Jessica celebrating 10k followers in 2010, she's got over 60k now)

At what point did you decide to get into cosplay? Do you want to become a professional cosplay model or is it something you just do for fun?

Jessica: San Diego Comic Con 2009 was the very first time I cosplayed. I had no idea what cosplay was, I just thought, HEY PIKACHU CAN BE SEXY. And then, BOOM. Internet stalkers up the ever loving wah-zoo! But it was really cool... So super cool, you got to meet people you would have never have met before in any other circumstance.

Now I just do it for fun and enjoy myself. Sometimes I get invited out by companies to do a little representing, and it's great fun : ) like I said before I have no idea what I am going to make of this, I just know I really want to be a journalist! :D

I've read on your website that your first event as a cosplay model was "nothing short of amazing and well…crazy!". Can you tell us more about that? What was it like?

Jessica: It was freaking crazy because the very first time I cosplay, I blow up! Not literately, but like, over night all these people know my name and I am a scared little teenager going WHAT THE CRAP NEMOY HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!

So it turns out someone had taken a photo of me, blown up the photo and then zoomed in on my SDCC name badge and found my name. Over night my Facebook had 440+ new friend requests. I had to get control of it fast and made a fanpage with hidden real Facebook.

What was your favorite event you've attended so far?

Jessica: So far? I would have to say SDCC just because you meet so many people SO quickly. : ) did I mention I love making new friends?

Right I'm sure our readers are eager to read something about gaming now, so lets move on to that. What was the first game you ever played (and on which console)? Who or what made you start playing it?

Jessica: First game I ever played was the first Resident Evil on the first play station. You know the old school grey one? So bad ass.... Haha and like I said earlier it was my father who got me into gaming :))

What games are you playing at the moment?

Jessica: Holy crap, Star Wars the Old Republic. Also some Skyrim and Gears 3 every once in a while!

Did you know that people, such as our own top players, play games on a competitive level and compete at events for prizes that can go up to $50,000? What do you think of this?

Jessica: Holy crap. Doing what you love and getting paid to do it? Sounds like you are living the dream!

(Jessica showcasing a japanese schoolgirl outfit back in 2010)

Is it something you'd like to do, even more than cosplay?

Jessica: Uhh that would be totes legit but I would get my butt handed to me! Haha it would still be awesome!

I've seen your Skyrim and Gears of War costume, they rock! Do you already know what your next gaming themed costume will be? Can you tell us which one ^_^?

Jessica: Ohhhhhhhh I can't say yet! BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT WILL BE AWESOME!!

Jessica working on her Boba Fett costume

What is your favorite anime?

Jessica: Gurren Lagann!

And what is your favorite game?

Jessica: Gears of War!

Favorite anime/gaming character?

Jessica: Right now it's a toss up between Anya Stroud and Juliet Starling!

A night of watching anime/playing video games or going out?

Jessica: Anime/games HANDS DOWN! Who do you think I am? XD

 

I'm actually quite the anime fan myself. I've watched all Dragon Ball Z, Gundam Wing and since recently also all the naruto episodes. Which anime do you think I should watch next?

Jessica: GURREN LAGANN!

And Basilisk... Effing amazing!

Right that was all! Can you tell our readers where they can find out more about you? Anything else you'd like to add?

Jessica: Jessicanigriofficial.com, Facebook, YouTube the Usual! Haha!

PLEASE KEEP GAMING AND NEVER LET ANYONE PUT U DOWN FOR BEING BADASS AT VIDEO GAMES!

Thanks for the interview Jessica! =)

Jessica: THANK U I LOVE CAPS

(can you tell my ADD is kicking in?!) OKAY BYE

 

All pictures are courtesy of Jessica Nigri.