Cosplayer Spotlite: FizzyPopCosplay

This week we’re shining our spotlight on New Jersey cosplayer Maddi Nathan, AKA Fizzy (she/they)!

Hange Zoe from Attack on Titan in 2024 (photo by @final_egirl)

How long have you been a cosplayer?
I dressed up as generic anime character starting back in 2010 (when I was oh but a high-school weeb) but officially started cosplaying in 2018. I also started sewing my own costumes in 2020.

What got you into cosplay?
My biggest cosplay inspiration was and still is @kamuicosplay. I started watching her content in 2016 and loved watching the building processes. Seeing her cosplay all of her favorite characters and having fun doing it really got me wanting to do that for myself so I started buying her books and following her tutorials on how to make my own armor and props.

Do you make, buy, or is it a combination?
I usually do a combination of both but I try to sew my own cosplays when it comes to more detailed designs. Most of the prebought cosplays I do are either casual cosplays or pieced together with stuff from Amazon or thrift stores. As for props and armor, I make all of those myself. I have also been sewing a lot of my recent cosplays and it’s become a true passion so I try to do it as much as possible.

First cosplay?
Before officially starting cosplay, I was a generic Shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Leaves from Naruto. After [I] officially started, it was Vegeta from DragonBall Z.

Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece in 2024 (photo by @i_.am_.kc)

Latest cosplay?
Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece (right on desktop) and a formal version of Makoto Kino aka Sailor Jupiter. (Pictures and posts to come soon. đź‘€)

Favorite thing about being a cosplayer?
My favorite thing is being able to be the characters that I love so dearly. It really makes me feel more confident. I also love all of the friends that I made during my cosplay journey. I have truly found my cosplay family and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Least favorite thing?
The unnecessary drama and hate that comes from people. We are literally adults playing dress up. Everyone needs to calm down and not take it so seriously.

What do you do for work outside of cosplay?
I have been a cake decorator and baker since I was 17! However, I am currently looking to change careers to working with costumes for film and television.

What are your top 3 fandoms?
1. One Piece 2. Avatar: The Last Airbender 3. Studio Ghibli

What cosplay are you planning next?
As of right now, I am currently working in Azula from season 3 of Avatar: The Last Airbender as well as Crocodile from One Piece.

What’s one piece of advice for new cosplayers?
Try not to compare yourself to others and just have fun. If a beginner compares themselves to someone who has been cosplayer for years or decades, it’s just a recipe for disaster. Take your time and go at your own pace. You don’t need to be as good as other people right away. It takes time and practice. Do it for you and no one else.

Where can people find you on social media?
You can find me at @fizzypopcosplay on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads! You can also find my commission and crafting page at @katsudonkreations on Instagram!

Below is a gallery of some of our subject’s cosplays!

About Gabby Bibus

Gabby has been obsessed with anime since she was just 9 years old, and is proud to say she has watched over 200 different series. But that’s not even her biggest claim to fame: she also lives on a farm with over 80 goats! Although anime and animals are her two favorite things in the world, she also loves music, books, and movies. Her day job is a middle school ESL teacher, and she is also a staff member at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

View all posts by Gabby Bibus

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