Meet Taryn—model, performer, pro cosplayer
Italian model, performer, and professional cosplayer Taryn was one of Cosplay PH’s main guests during the first-ever three-day run of Cosplay Mania, the country’s biggest cosplay and Japanese entertainment convention, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay Oct. 4 to Oct. 6.
Taryn, who was present for all of those three days, spent his stay in the country warmly accepting photograph requests from his fans from all over the world during a meet-and-greet event, along with fellow cosplayers Byoru from Vietnam, and Lea from Malaysia.
The three also served as judges during the grand finals of the “Cosplay Mania Cup,” which was a battle of creativity and skill with the contestants going head to head with their different costumes and prepared skits.
In a sit-down interview, Taryn shared insights into his life as a professional cosplayer, talking about how it started and where he is a decade later.
Hobby
“Everything started as a hobby for me. I created my costumes, did my makeup, had a lot of practice on wig making and prop-making, and sewed my own stuff,” Taryn said. His hobby grew as he became more popular on social media, even participating in a few competitions.
Not long after, he was scouted by entertainment companies to work as one of their performers and models. He has since toured all around the globe, and was able to travel to more than 40 countries just last year.
Taryn, who is celebrating his 10th year in cosplaying, also gave some insights on the value of being fit. Although he chooses to stay in shape for a more accurate depiction of the characters he loves, Taryn said that what you look like shouldn’t matter more than the joy you feel when cosplaying.
Taryn also gave some advice to cosplayers who are just starting out, stressing the importance of having a huge social media presence if you want to pursue a similar path, “because this is the most common way cosplayers get scouted by major entertainment companies.”
He said, “They always look at the engagement you get online, the number of people you are able to reach and whether or not they promote their content through your accounts.”
Taryn expressed his hope to one day return to the Philippines, experience its different delicacies and explore its various tourist spots.
