Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Free
Hi Jenny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a child , I was always into anime . The first time I read my first official manga was in about 4th grade. My friend had brought a manga in and I was immediately fascinated. And that’s where it all really started. Fast forward to 8th grade and I attended my first anime convention , Anime Weekend Atlanta. That’s when I first got to really see cosplayers in their element and doing their thing and I was awestruck . Seeing people bring some of my favorite characters to life and seeing everyone have so much fun doing it , like I just was thinking “I HAVE to do that.” I didn’t get the actual confidence to start wearing makeup and cosplay until I got to college , though . College is when I finally started to dabble in makeup and did my first official cosplay at Dragon Con in about 2014. But I felt so bad and so ugly and stupid compared to everyone else cosplaying that I actually cried and went in the bathroom to change out of it . I wasn’t very confident at that time of my life . For awhile , I just stuck to experimenting with makeup and got really into “ulzzang” makeup which is a Korean makeup style. I was also inspired by J-fashion styles . I made an Instagram (my account started out with the name “JunjouJenny” )and would post my makeup looks and outfits , there. I started cosplaying more as my confidence started to grow and then I started to even create my own OCs as my makeup skills grew . And now , I seem to be most well known for my McDonald’a OC named Ryouka. Which absolutely tickles me pink because never did I expect that cosplay to be what put me on the cosplay map !
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. Just like with any other community ,the cosplay community is not without its faults . There is racism, elitism , bullying , etc. I got called many slurs and gotten threats every now and again . But I’ve never let the negativity stop me . I would at first cry often and feel hurt but now , I just laugh and roll my eyes and move along . People being hateful for no reason isn’t going to kill my stride .
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Funnily enough , most of my work history is with animals . I’ve worked as a dog handler , pet sitter /dog walker , kennel tech, vet tech. I LOVE animals. Grew up wanting to work with them . But life doesn’t always go the way we planned in our heads. I’ve also always loved art . Was always the quiet art kid sketching during every class or any down time I could get . I’ve also done several random jobs that everyone always gets confused by . It’s quite funny, actually. Everyone thinks that I’m a makeup artist or a model because of my cosplay page on IG and I’ll be like nope! Haha! I’m a custodian at a school! Or I’m a brand ambassador at Stranger Things: The Experience! I’m working at the zoo! Like I’m all over the place haha
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What has worked well for me is going to events. Events that have to do with your interests . I’ve met and made soooo many connections by just going to events , big or small . It really sometimes does come down to who you know ! You make one connection at an event , and that can lead to 5 more. You’d be surprised how small the world can be and who you come meet . Suddenly you can go from going to an EDM event and making a connection , to being invited to private events with big name people in the spheres you have interest in . It is quite crazy how that can go .
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@zoyoursmiles
@cloud9.visuals
@mint_eye_photography
(All IG handles)
