We recently had the chance to connect with Wes TheDragon and have shared our conversation below.
Wes, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Currently a normal day for me consist of working on wig commissions, planning social media posts, filming content, and planning for upcoming conventions including panels, cosplays, and photo shoots.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Wes! I go by WesTheDragon across all social media platforms including my new WigsTheDragon cosplay wig commission account on Instagram. I’m a plus size cosplayer based out of Atlanta that advocates for other plus size cosplayers and spreads body positivity throughout the cosplay community whether it be online or at conventions. The beginning of this year I opened wig commissions and now I do wigs, post wig styling tutorials, educate others about wigs, and do funny skits involving the wigs I style.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
If I had to pick one person I think it would be my mom. She always saw my potential for art whether it was getting me art supplies or coming to my art shows official ones held by my school or unofficial ones of me just showing her my art book.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There’s been a few times I almost gave up but one that sticks out to me the most is when I was being bullied in middle school for being fat. It was relentless and no one was helping me, my friends, my teachers, my parents tried but there was only so much they could do. I wanted to give up on everything but I didn’t let it keep me down and now I stand up for others because no one should have to experience what I did.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Honestly one of the biggest lies in the cosplay community whether it’s some people in the community or others outside of it is that there’s a perfect cosplay body type and if you don’t have that then you can’t cosplay. People don’t realize cosplay is for everyone and every body.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I’m doing my best to build a foundation of body positivity in the cosplay community where everyone feels accepted no matter their size, race, or gender expression. Sadly I know that will take time to pay off nothing happens overnight but when it does pay off I cannot wait to see the results.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/westhedragon
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westhedragon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WesTheDragon
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@westhedragon
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@westhedragon
Image Credits
@midnightmayhemx on instagram
