Cosplay Superstar Interview: Lindze Merritt

You’ve interviewed on the topic of anime, etc, for other countries as well… What was that experience like for you?

The anime/convention culture is so different in every country you go to, which is neat to see it in new perspective.

In Japan, I got to interview with NHK, the big TV station there. They were covering Anime Expo Tokyo (which was short-lived), and wanted to interview an American cosplayer, so they emailed me before my trip. The interview was very business-like, no nonsense. They mostly wanted to know what Americans thought of Japanese culture and why we were so interested in it.

Bodyguards? Have they had a history of overzealous fans putting cosplay models in danger?

The bodyguards were actually a good thing–the conventions were extremely crowded and we couldn’t move around without being mauled by people wanting pictures/autographs/to talk to us. Since they had us on a schedule, we couldn’t just mill around, so I guess it was a necessity.

So it was more for crowd control and mobility than safety? I can’t imagine that happening at a North American anime con.

Yeah, we’re WAY more casual, thank GOD! But it made me feel like an ultra cool rockstar! The Japanese fans are similar.

When you walk somewhere in costume, you gotta scope out an area as yours to get your picture taken, cause once you’re there, you probably won’t be able to leave. There were LINES to take our pictures.

As far as the fans go, how would you compare how the otaku fandom is in either of those cultures to what you see in the USA?

I think its still growing in Mexico, but it’s getting huge. The fandom seems to have so much excitement, which is awesome to see. In Japan, it may be larger and more widely spread, but its still a specific demographic it appeals to, like anywhere. There are people who make fun of the “nerds” in Japan just as much as in the US.

Although, I’m very jealous of all the merchandise available to the fans in Japan. A visit to Ikebukuro is like fangirl overload!

About Dragon*Con… You’re attending this year? Any costume plans?

Yeah, I’ll be there! I never miss it! In fact, I’m scheduled to have heart surgery and I made them reschedule it AFTER Dragon*Con so I wouldn’t miss it. Does that tell you how insane I am for that con?

I don’t have anything super elaborate planned, but a group of friends and I are doing a Mad Men (show on AMC) group, where I get to be the fiery red head, Joan. And there MAY be an anchorman group…

Scheduling the con before heart surgery? That is HARDCORE. I hope the heart issue isn’t too serious (which I know sounds weird, because after all, it is heart surgery).

Its not as scary as it sounds! But, yeah… I already got yelled at by my husband, doctor, and parents for it… So I AM HARDCORE.

I’ve gotten to meet a lot of stars I love currently, along with ones from my childhood. I also love their photo op sessions, where you get to take your pic with them.

What advice or knowledge would you like to pass on to any other aspiring cosplayers, models, or other people who want to enter the same industries that you have?

Cosplayers: Have fun. Do whatever you want, don’t listen to haters, or hate in return. It’s not serious bizniss!

Business: People always will be willing to buy something that you put hard work and thought into. Just go with that, listen to feedback, and there is bound to be money in it. (And if you make loads….please share it with me for the sake of my hungry child & lack of comic books.)

I thank Lindze for indulging me (and all of you!) in this interview. She was sincerely fun to speak with and learn all about her amazing adventures. She’s a true role model to geeks everywhere.

To see more about Lindze’s work, you can check out her Model Mayhem profile or visit Genki Gang.

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