Cosplay Corner Episode #76: Stella Chuu

Stella Chuu is a girl I fell in love with rather quickly. Mostly because living in Texas you don't see the type of women that Stella is. As a woman obsessed with geek culture, she is also a very accomplished burlesque dancer based in NYC. Interviewing her gave me the unique perspective of comparing the burlesque world and the cosplay world and how they can oppose and compliment each other. Her goal is to make epic cosplays to showcase at anime cons and use in burlesque performances. Read below for the full interview…

Burlesque has a historical significance as a popular form of entertainment in America. Cosplay, is in general, a new form of entertainment. How do you see the two halves and how do you achieve balance between the two?

Stella: A large portion of my life has been dedicated to cosplaying and expressing my inner geek. I spend months on end watching nothing but anime and planning out my next cosplay. I also obsess over video games and webcomics. A few times a year, I go to various conventions to meet up with friends and various cosplay groups. We gather and enjoy our geekery together. I love creating costumes and showing them off to the public. My reward is the fan appreciation – the "Wows" and tons of photographs. Every time I see a new photo of myself and any other amazing cosplay, it puts a huge smile on my face.

I only recently discovered burlesque. There was a side of me that was clawing to get out, and being able to perform burlesque gives me the ability to express my sexuality and be comfortable with my body. Imagine having the best adrenaline rush of your life three nights a week. That's burlesque. Many of my burlesque acts are based on themes that one might consider a bit geeky. I've created and performed acts themed around, Pedobear, Tron, Jayne Cobb of Firefly, Batwoman, and the Siren from the video game Borderlands. Another, and one of my most popular acts, is based off of Zork, the early text-based adventure games. I also have a duet act based on Fatal Frame 2. My cosplay definitely informs my burlesque and the confidence I've gained from burlesque helps me be a better cosplayer. I'm happy to say that I have been able to merge my hobbies.

How closely assimilated is the world of burlesque and cosplay? Does being a performer give you more self confidence as a cosplayer?

Stella: The short answer is yes. I feel like cosplay and burlesque feed each other in my life: without one, the other would be lacking. In recent years there has been a fusion between cosplay and burlesque, creating a new kind of performance. There are entire troupes dedicated to putting on "geek-themed" shows. I began my burlesque career with D20 Burlesque and eventually joined up with Epic Win Burlesque.

I have travelled all over the country to perform, appearing at conventions such as Nerdapalooza, GenCon Indy, DexCon, and Steampunk World Fair. I plan to continue traveling and performing. It makes me ecstatic to know that women and men are gaining confidence in their bodies and feel the need to strut their stuff in front of an audience. Burlesque has made me fall more in love with my body. As a result of this, it has caused me to focus on things ranging from skin care to how to pose for a great photograph when I cosplay.

When I cosplay now, I have a huge amount of confidence when I'm interacting with people; I'm able to build better relationships. This is a significant accomplishment in my life. I'm proud to see how far I've evolved and in the end is the point of it all, is it not?

Word on the street is you're an anime connoisseur. What is the next big anime that you might draw inspiration from for a costume?

Stella: I LOVE ANIME. I was anime club president in both high school and college. At one point I even wanted to start my own convention. I try and keep up with all the new animes as they are released in Japan. There aren't many new characters yet that I would like to cosplay. Sword Art Online is still airing episodes. I'm waiting for them to inspire me with an amazing costume idea that becomes that "OMG, I have to do this!" moment. I'm also working on a cosplay for Inori Yuzuriha from Guilty Crown. It is a gorgeous red and orange dress that is difficult to make. It's a welcome challenge.

So currently, do you make a living through burlesque? Is it hard to turn that into a career versus cosplay?

Stella: It is entirely possible to make a living through burlesque. I have a number of friends who do it, but it's a tough life. Typically, it involves working often and living frugally. I have one friend in particular, Bettina May, who has obtained the first Burlesque Performer's Green Card. She moved from Canada to New York in order to pursue a career in burlesque. I currently have a day job that funds my endeavors and I don't plan on quitting any time soon, as I enjoy it. I do hope to make more of a career out of my burlesque and cosplay. I've recently started a line of burlesque-related accessories that people can buy from my website. I hope to expand the line in the future and use those funds to help support myself.

Each medium is quite similar as you dress up and perform. Could you tell us your creative process for beginning a costume and how it differs from your burlesque?

Stella: When I choose a character to cosplay, I start with the internal; someone I admire. Whether it be for their strength, their intelligence, their personality, typically it is a strong, confident woman. However, I do love interesting characters who are fun to role-play (e.g. Rei Ayanami.) I then move on to the external aspects of the Cosplay. The medium where I find my Cosplay – anime, gaming, comics, etc. – provides me with a basic roadmap for construction, colors, fabric, the overall look and feel. Since I'll be cosplaying for long hours at a convention, I concentrate on obtaining comfortable shoes and lightweight props. Attention to detail is a must, so I make sure to add my own flair to really sell the costume and keep it unique.

For burlesque, I have to design my costumes from square one. A lot goes into the decision-making and problem-solving before construction. I have to think about how the costume comes apart; what kind of materials, pasties, underwear; when to make that big reveal; and what song to use. Thinking up a burlesque act can take months and construction can easily take another month. Regardless, I have piles of materials at home from all my brainstorms. Sometimes, I'll just make things for fun to wear around. It keeps me being creative and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What are some of your favorite Asian films?

Stella: I'm a huge fan of psychological thrillers and stunning visuals. I even studied Motion Graphics in college because I love visuals so much. Wong Kar Wai is my favorite Chinese director. I particularly adore In the Mood for Love for its pacing and captivating soundtrack. My favorite Japanese film is All About Lily Chou Chou for its soundtrack and also for its controversial themes. Then there's the Korean film Thirst that will always have a special place in my heart because of that psycho housewife. Don't ask; just go with it.

I may have a small crush on you. Obviously, you're very beautiful, but how do you handle the misconceptions about burlesque, and maybe even how women are portrayed in cosplay?

Stella: Ahh! I'm flattered. Many people don't know what burlesque is; they may have a vague idea. Thankfully, I enjoy explaining what I do. Let's take a moment to imagine a clown stripping down to pasties. Many would be taken aback by the sheer un-sexiness of the concept. Now picture a sensual ballet dancer gracefully crossing the stage, mesmerizing the audience with every step. That enchanting movement makes burlesque. Burlesque is glamorous and elegant but it also artistic and sometimes hilarious. Many performers do not look or dance like a Pussycat Doll. Some burlesquers are even strippers by trade, while others are desk jockeys. I'm never insulted when someone has misconceptions about what I do. It's easier to show them and watch their jaw hit the floor than to fight years of negative speculations.

With cosplay, however, defending it is not as simple as giving an explanation about clowns and ballet dancers. Whenever a woman cosplays and appears even remotely "scantily clad," the general assumption is that she is a faker, that she is not a "real geek." This hurts me. The belief seems to be that a female geek is a woman who hates her body. This is backwards thinking and misogynistic. Loving yourself and wanting to share your joy with the world is a gift, one that we've all been given. We as cosplayers just embrace it. I want to help other people find the confidence within themselves and be who they want to be. At conventions, I host panels about standing up for yourself and embracing who you are, the true essence of cosplay.

You're coming up on eight years as a cosplayer. How has it differed now since you first began so long ago?

Stella: When I first began cosplay it felt more like a glorified Halloween party. I didn't know how to sew, so I relied on my savvy Internet shopping skills and my very crafty friends. As the industry has developed into a more defined community, I find the concept of being a "pro-cosplayer" a more realistic possibility. I also see that as my sewing and costume construction skills have improved, so have those of the community. (For the record, though, I will still ask for help when needed, because who can pass up the chance for amazing collaborations?!) From an objective point of view, when I first began cosplaying, it was a melting pot of personalities, everyone was welcomed with open arms. Today, that melting pot has expanded. It's not just one "type" of person who cosplays, all cultures and personality types let their cosplay flags fly.

What are some cosplay challenges that you'd like to venture down but haven't had the opportunity to yet? Any costumes on your bucket list?

Stella: It's more about the materials I want to get better working with, or for that matter, learn how to work with, period. I would love to learn how to work with latex. It's a fascinating material. Then I could build my own Evangelion or Gantz-inspired plugsuit. My favorite kinds of costume projects are the big and epic ones. I'd like to get better at full body armor such Iron Man or Gundam. One of these days I'd like to do a fire-bending costume that shoots real fireballs. My list is never ending. I'm only done after my next cosplay.

Lastly, could you offer up any advice to a female who would like to be a cosplay but may be lacking the self esteem to do so?

Stella: Confidence is a challenge for all of us. Start by putting together something you're proud of. The cosplay can be simple or it can be crazy, as long as it makes you happy. Get your friends to help, your family; it's not called a community for nothing. There are people out there to support you. (Email me! I'm happy to help.) Just take it one cosplay at a time. You'll be surprised at the amount of positive energy there is for someone who makes the effort. Have fun. Make friends. You can't take the sky from me.