In fandom, cosplaying provides a vibrant platform for creativity and self-expression. However, for Latinx cosplayers, the lack of representation in mainstream media often complicates this journey. Despite these challenges, Latinx cosplayers bring their unique cultural heritage to the forefront, crafting identities that reflect their love for their characters and cultural pride. Join me as we delve into the experiences of Latinx cosplayers, highlighting their innovative approaches to representation and the importance of diversity in media.
According to Scott Mendelson from TheWrap.com, 5.8% of speaking characters in film and television were Hispanic/Latino in 2022, despite being 19% of the United States population, according to the 2022 census. To add more qualification of Latinx participation in media, Stacie de Armas from Nielsen reported that 43.6% of U.S. Latinos’ total TV viewing in July 2022 was attributed to streaming platforms, and they compromised 24% of all moviegoers. This gap in representation extends to the characters that cosplayers look up to, leaving Latinx individuals with few characters that reflect their identities.
Fandom communities, particularly within the cosplay subculture, offer a unique platform for Latinx individuals to express their cultural identities and find a sense of belonging. Through cosplay, Latinx fans engage in a form of storytelling that transcends the limitations imposed by mainstream media. These communities often provide support, validation, and a space for sharing creative ideas, making them crucial for the personal and cultural expression of Latinx cosplayers.
Lucy Capuchino shared her journey into cosplay, which started from a love of costumes instilled by her seamstress mother. Lucy has creatively incorporated her Mexican heritage into her cosplays, designing unique outfits like a Día de los Muertos-inspired Darth Maul and a revolutionary Mando. She emphasized the lack of Latinx representation in media and how she often had to find connections in characters that weren’t explicitly Hispanic
Miguel Capuchino, Lucy’s partner, also discussed how he blended his cultural background with his cosplays. He recounted designing a “Mariachi Mandalorian” costume, combining his love for Star Wars with elements from the film “Desperado,” which featured a Mexican bounty hunter. This innovative mashup received positive feedback at conventions, highlighting how cosplayers can creatively reinterpret beloved characters, making them personal to the cosplayer.
Miguel also shared a particularly touching story about his and his wife’s participation in a Barbie-themed charity event. Initially, they were concerned about fitting in as they didn’t have traditional Barbie costumes. However, they created a Mexican-themed Barbie and Ken, named “Mexi-Ken” and “Loca Barbie.” Miguel said, “There was a little Latina girl at the event who was wearing a Barbie shirt, and she saw us and ran up to us and gave us a hug. I could sense that she was so happy to see a representation of her ethnic culture in something she absolutely loved. Those little moments like that have opened up how I cosplay my ethnicity and the characters that I do.”
Puerto Rican cosplayer Eddie Padia mentioned his bold approach to incorporating his cultural identity into his cosplays. Characters like Miles Morales inspire Eddie, a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Miles is a teenager of African-American and Puerto Rican descent who takes on the mantle of Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker in the Ultimate Marvel universe (Earth-1610). Eddie proudly displays his heritage by incorporating the Puerto Rican flag into his costumes. He shared that embracing his identity through cosplay has boosted his confidence and inspired others in the Latinx community to do the same.
Araly Langomas shares their experiences. Araly, who began cosplaying due to her love for anime, highlighted how the community has become more inclusive, allowing her to blend her cultural background with her passion for cosplay. She said, “I think in being a cosplayer of like color, I am the representation that I didn’t have when I was younger. I’m someone that people can look at and realize if she’s dressing up as these characters and embracing the way her hair is, then maybe I can embrace those parts of myself too.”
Even though Leo Camacho is no longer cosplaying, he shares the challenges of finding characters that resonated with his Latinx identity and how he adapted characters to reflect his heritage better. He talks about how he connected to a half-Cuban Star Wars character: “Yeah. Poe Dameron stood out immediately to me. Not only does he look like me. But Oscar Isaac is half Cuban like me; how perfect is that? Finally, a Star Wars character because before him was like Jimmy Schmitz, and that’s it. And I don’t want to be Bail Organa. That’s not a particularly exciting cosplay to me, but finally, an X-wing pilot with a cool jumpsuit.”
Events like conventions and social media platforms have become crucial in building strong fandom communities. Conventions offer a physical space where cosplayers can showcase their work, network with others, and participate in panels that discuss representation and diversity. San Diego Comicon, which is widely seen as the mech of nerd culture, features panels like “Diversity in Comics,” “Women of Marvel,” and “LGBTQ+ Characters in Comics.” These panels often include writers, artists, and actors discussing the importance of diverse storytelling and representation.
Conversely, social media allows for broader reach and connection, enabling Latinx cosplayers to share their creations with a large audience and connect with others who share similar experiences. Lucy and Miguel’s involvement in charity work through cosplay further emphasizes how these activities can foster positive community engagement and cultural expression, as does Eddie Padia, who shared his interaction and influence over social media.
The lack of Latinx representation in media has broader implications. According to a report done by Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the Latinx community continues to be portrayed in a negative light, as more than one-third of lead Latino roles in 2019’s biggest movies were depicted as immigrants (usually undocumented), criminals, impoverished, or uneducated characters. This reinforces stereotypes and limits the visibility of Latinx contributions to popular culture.
However, the creative adaptations by Latinx cosplayers like Lucy, Miguel, Eddie, and others challenge these norms and push for a more inclusive media landscape. Their efforts highlight the importance of seeing diverse communities in popular media and its positive impact on community and identity. Giving the next generation representation that is still lacking in the mainstream.
Strides are being made to address this imbalance. According to Nielsen, shows like “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Gordita Chronicles,” and the 2022 films “Father of the Bride” and “Coco” have featured prominent Hispanic talent. These shows attract Latino viewers and resonate with broader audiences, showcasing the universal appeal of well-crafted stories. These diverse casts have begun to pave the way for more nuanced and authentic representations of Latinx characters. These portrayals provide Latinx viewers with characters they can relate to and enrich the cultural tapestry of media, offering diverse stories that reflect the actual makeup of society.
Despite facing underrepresentation, Latinx cosplayers persist with remarkable creativity, reimagining beloved characters and infusing their cultural heritage into their work. Their stories are not just about costumes but about celebrating identity, advocating for inclusive media, and paving the way for the next generation of cosplayers.
Imagine a child at a convention, eyes lighting up at the sight of a character who shares their appearance, cultural background, or heritage. This moment of connection is profound, sparking a sense of belonging and pride. Latinx cosplayers like Lucy, Miguel, Eddie, Araly, and Leo create these moments of joy and validation, reminding us that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the characters they love.
As the conversation around representation continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize and support the contributions of Latinx cosplayers. Their work enriches the cosplay community and pushes for a media landscape where everyone can experience the magic of seeing themselves as heroes, villains, or fantastical beings regardless of background. Ultimately, it’s about more than just costumes—it’s about ensuring that every individual has access to the joy and sense of belonging that comes from dressing up as the characters that inspire them.
As an author’s note, I had the pleasure of interviewing five amazing individuals, each with unique stories and perspectives on the topic of representation. These cosplayers and creatives shared how they incorporate their backgrounds into their cosplays. While I wished to include every part of their stories here, it would have turned into a novel!
In the coming weeks, I will publish individual stories focused on each cosplayer mentioned and quoted in this article. They have so much more to share, so be sure to follow @LostInFandomz on Instagram to catch these upcoming features!