Meet Rei Medrano | Cosplay Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rei Medrano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rei, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Originally, I went to school for music performance and theatre but life has a funny way of deviating from your original plans. nevertheless, I had to attend to some personal things and had to do the normal thing of getting a 9-5 like most people. After years of doing the most of a “normal career” I felt that I wasn’t feeling fulfilled in a way that musically or creatively bothered me. It wasn’t until I met those within the Cosplay community that reminded me of how fun and joyful it can be to do theatre without the acting aspect which ultimately led me to dive into cosplaying.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would say that I overcame many things from initial creative direction as all I knew before was crafting things from a theatre perspective so having to pivot was something brand new. Even through those initial hardships, I did find a specific niche that has made me respected from a creative perspective.

It hasn’t been the smoothest of roads, but the journey itself has been humbling and an educational one. First of all, COVID-19 had put a stop to so many things not just as a creative, but overall since I started around the pandemic, around the world. So, for me to come into this early while the world had to shut down was definitely not something I was able to prepare for starting.

Secondly, with costuming/cosplay, many people tend to look at this as some sort of “basement-esque niche.” Even though pop culture has brought cosplaying to the forefront, there is still a perceived notion that similar to D&D and the Renfaire there is a certain time and place to do so.

Lastly, a big struggle that I still try to find confidence in is the physical aspect of it. Many people who are successful cosplaying (similar to actors and models) have a certain look to them. I am a big and tall POC Male who tends to be either typecast or look dismissively compared to my fellow counterparts who have different more “marketable” approach.

As it stands, I try to look past it and relish in my uniqueness as more of a blessing rather than something to be ashamed of, but body dysmorphia is still very much a thing I struggle with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a few things I always have in mind when I go with friends! when it comes to somewhere fun, I would suggest “Cidercade” which has so many arcade cabinets and you can purchase cider while playing! loads of New and old arcade games as well as pinball cabinets.

When it comes to eats and drinks, I’d say “Moontower Inn” which has so many drinks and they offer unique sandwiches and wild game “Tubesteaks”. sometimes you’ll see live music which is pretty fun when you’re having a good time with friends!

As far as hanging out, I enjoy going to “Coral Sword” off of Telephone Road. It was started by a former Houston Astros player where people have a coffee or tea, play board games or card games or just a place to work on their laptop and get stuff done. Plus it’s next to a barbershop and tattoo parlor if that’s something you want to get done!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would give major props to “Afroqweencosplay” as she was possibly the first person I could really talk to about this. We met funny enough through a Facebook group called “Houston Metro Geeks” a group of like-minded folks who enjoy things nerdy and are fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and gaming fandoms. I was going through a transition of finding folks who enjoyed the things that I did and I befriended her and her husband Patrick. We connected on a lot of things and when I found her studio, my inspiration to create was sparked. From there I was engaged in wanting to create more and more like I did in my high school & college days.

Website: https://bento.me/creativerain

Instagram: https://instagram.com/Creativera1n

Twitter: https://twitter.com/creativera1n

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRa1n/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@creativera1n

Image Credits
Jtcos.photos ricardos_portraits Theavacadoshow rxgphotography