In our ongoing exploration of Latinx cosplayers and their unique contributions to the cosplay community, today, we focus on Araly Langomas. If you remember, she was one of the cosplayers featured in our last article, Cosplay And Culture Exploring Latinx Voices of Representation In Fandom. A Dominican-American cosplayer, Araly (she/they), has not only embraced the art of cosplay but has also made it a medium for cultural expression. Through their creative interpretations of beloved characters, Araly challenges the boundaries of representation, crafting a space where cultural identity and fandom collide in vibrant, meaningful ways.
Araly’s journey into cosplay began in 2019 during a visit to Comic-Con, where they were first inspired to dress up as Sailor Moon. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic struck that Araly found solace and purpose in cosplay. The loss of her grandmother to COVID-19 became a catalyst for Araly to fully immerse herself in the craft, using it as a creative outlet during a time of profound sadness and isolation. This pivotal moment began Araly’s deep commitment to cosplay, allowing her to channel her grief into something beautiful and empowering.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Araly’s cosplay is her deliberate incorporation of x heritage. Whether lip-syncing to Spanish songs while dressed as characters from Miraculous Ladybug or cosplaying Luz Noceda from The Owl House, Araly ensures that her cultural identity is woven into her portrayals. Luz, a Dominican-American character, resonated deeply with Araly, allowing her to embody a character reflecting her ethnicity and heritage. This conscious blending of culture and cosplay is a form of self-expression and a powerful statement of representation.
As Araly delved deeper into cosplay, she became acutely aware of the underrepresentation of Latinx characters in mainstream media. The scarcity of characters that look like her has not deterred Araly but has fueled her creativity. Araly acknowledges that while there may have been initial doubts about how others would react to her cosplay, she ultimately embraced the uniqueness that her cultural background brings to each character. As she put it, “Every single cosplay is going to be unique,” whether it’s due to the execution, the interpretation, or the personal features that a cosplayer brings to the character.
Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Identity
Like many cosplayers of color, Araly has faced challenges, including the pressure to conform to certain characters’ racial or physical characteristics. However, she counters this by celebrating her features and identity within her cosplays. Araly’s approach is particularly evident in how she embraces her natural hair, adapting it to fit the characters she portrays in ways that honor both the character and her identity. This practice showcases her creativity and sends a powerful message about the importance of self-acceptance and representation.
The underrepresentation of Latinx characters in mainstream media remains a pressing issue. Despite making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, Latinos account for only 3.3% of lead roles in television shows and 5.7% in films, according to a 2023 report by the Latino Donor Collaborative. This gap highlights the ongoing exclusion of Latinx voices in media, which contributes to the perpetuation of stereotypes and neglects a significant audience segment that seeks authentic representation.
Representation is crucial because it helps normalize diverse cultural identities and provides role models for younger generations. For Latinx audiences, seeing characters that reflect their experiences can foster a sense of belonging and pride. Araly Langomas, who identifies as Dominican-American, emphasizes this when she says, “I am the representation that I didn’t have when I was younger.” Her work in cosplay underscores the importance of visibility in media, offering a powerful tool to combat the feelings of invisibility often experienced by underrepresented groups.
Moreover, the Latino Donor Collaborative report notes a shift in viewing habits, with Latinos increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where they find more content that resonates with their cultural identity. This trend underscores the demand for better representation in mainstream media, which has yet to be fully met. Araly’s message to others is straightforward: create it if you don’t see the representation. Araly’s cosplays inspire others to embrace their identities and bring their cultural backgrounds into the fandoms they love.
Araly Langomas’s story is a testament to the transformative power of cosplay as a tool for cultural expression and identity. By incorporating elements of her Dominican heritage into her portrayals, Araly challenges the lack of representation in media and creates a space where Latinx culture is celebrated and visible. Her journey reminds us that cosplay is more than just dressing up; it is about crafting identities, telling stories, and ensuring everyone can see themselves as heroes, villains, and everything in between. In a world where representation is still a battle, Araly’s work shines as a beacon of what is possible when we blend our cultural identities with our passions.