Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Doyle.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been cosplaying for the last 8 years, and it oddly all started from YouTube. I followed a series hosted by cosplayers who no longer create, but I suddenly had a moment where I realized I could do it myself.
My first cosplay was Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler, and it was a disaster. I not only bound using ace bandages (a VERY harmful way to bind) but I had to wait to get a visa gift card for Christmas and beg my mother to let me cosplay for almost two months after. My first con was Momocon 2011, I went with my cousin and was miserable, especially since I almost severely injured myself. All of this built up to a point where most people would have quit, but the convention experience was something I couldn’t get out of my head.
For a short while, I actually quit, about two years give or take, and when I started back, I started with a vigor that has carried me through the many ups and downs within the community and my learning of the craft. But while I’ve had the lowest lows, I have also had some amazing highs where I met some of the most wonderful people and incredible friends that helped me through my darkest days.
With the creation of my Instagram almost five years ago, I kind of flourished and have adored every moment, including the bad ones, because they’ve taught me some of the most invaluable lessons. This also led me to find a community that helped me find my identity as non-binary and queer, and find a group of loving friends that have become a second family.
This last year in February, I started doing drag as a king named Henrí Pete, and have found a new outlet for so much of my creativity and my identity, it has also boosted my makeup skills and led me to find even more friends and newfound family that brings so much joy to my life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think some of the greatest struggles has been my own mental health and some of the toxic people in the community. There is so much to heal in the cosplay community and it makes it hard to keep motivated or have interest in different fandoms due to the fear of being labeled as one of the toxic fandoms.
I have struggled with depression and anxiety for many years and it has led to me being incapable of finishing projects, and to this day I have completely scrapped content because I felt it wasn’t the perfect cosplay. While cosplay helps my self-esteem, it has also led to my perfectionist tendencies to leak into my work and cause stress for myself. No one is making me feel this way but myself, which is the funniest part about it. I get a lot of comments saying “no one is going to be upset with you if you don’t get it finished” and my only response is that I, myself, will be upset with myself if I don’t finish it to the greatest of my skills.
Also teaching yourself every single trick of the trade is often frustrating and exhausting, and makes many people intimidated to join in the ever-expanding community.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a cosplayer whose greatest asset is their makeup, but is still working hard to improve myself. I am probably most well known for my makeup and an extensive repertoire of costumes that I have either entirely made or made a large portion of. I am so proud of where my craft has come from where I first started, but I know that there’s still so much I can learn, and I am excited to do so!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My friends and followers are the biggest support I could never imagine in my wildest dreams. I am so blown away by the kindness of my closest friends and their ceaseless talent and love. I think my biggest support since I first started taking this all seriously was my best friend Danni, a fellow cosplayer and artist who brings so much light and joy to my life. They’ve been supporting me since the beginning and I genuinely have most of my success and growth to them.
Contact Info:
- Email: thephantombcosplay@gmail.com
- Instagram: thephantomb
- Twitter: thephantombcos
- Other: ko-fi.com/thephantomb
Image Credit:
Lapis Lazuli: @hyphantion_creations
Blue Diamond: @cowboy_pirates
Nana Shimura: @legendfairyyy
Johnny Joestar:@rebirthphotography
Chainchompette: @thatmontecore
HIM: @fairylunaphotography
Honey (Puppettes by Savannah Alexandra Art): @dadpants.photo
Taako: @nerothehero
Nana Shimura 2: @ianthefifth
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