Meet The Models: Kyle
Kyle and I met through Trey and Ash - whom I’ve shot a few times before. Kyle is a big force in the cosplay scene and it’s only natural that he got into the world of Kapow Meggings. (If you’re not following him on Instagram, run - don’t walk - because you need to see the incredible cosplay things he does!)
During our first shoot, he used the Kapow “Neon Funk” with part of his look as Poison Ivy from the DC Comics’ Batman franchise - and as you can see, he killed it!
Kyle is a natural in front of the camera, and anytime he is involved in something you are doing it is instantly taken to another level, and I hope we can shoot again soon.
NAME: Kyle
BIRTHDAY: August 5th
HOMETOWN: Belmont, MS
CURRENT CITY: Nashville, TN
INSTAGRAM: @chalioucosplay
WHAT IS YOUR STORY? Other than college stints in Starkville, MS and Florence, AL, I lived all my life in a small Mississippi town before moving to Nashville a few years ago. I started cosplaying about ten years ago after going to a convention (in Nashville, well before I actually moved there) and discovering what creative nerds were capable of! While I do cosplay existing characters from time to time, I’ve found that original designs and interpretations, including gijinkas and gender-swaps, are my favorite avenue of cosplay. I’ve learned a lot and I have a lot more to learn - who says cosplay is only for the kiddies? I often feel like I’m just getting warmed up!
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? Briefs
HOW DO YOU GET INTO COSPLAY? I was inspired to give it a go after attending Wizard World Nashville in 2013, so I made some plans, ordered some things online, and the ball started rolling from there.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST CONFIDENT? In essentially any cosplay I wear. A big focus for me is the silhouette and the visual presentation for the exact reason that I FEEL empowered when I believe I LOOK empowered.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR NEXT GREAT ACHIEVEMENT WILL BE? In cosplay terms, I don’t compete often, but I would enjoy winning on a higher level than what I’ve done previously, and with more technical skill involved.
WHAT IS THE BRAVEST THING YOU’VE DONE? I wish I had an impressive story here, but if I had to call anything I’ve done brave, it would probably be leaving the comfort of a job and profession at roughly 30 to enter into a completely different job and profession, one I didn’t know if I was cut out for. But looking back, it was the right choice!
WHAT IS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE YOU’VE BEEN A PART OF? There’ve been many. I’ve been blessed to have a wonderful family, supportive friends, meaningful occupations, the opportunity to travel both at home and abroad, to pursue my various hobbies and crafts, and to share much of that with others. If I ceased to exist today, I would’ve already had a charmed and rounded life!
HOW DO YOU FEEL IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA? Increasingly at ease, as long as I know I am involved in the editing! I am horribly critical of my own photos but cosplay has taught me a lot about posing and visual presence.
WHICH MALE CELEBRITY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE IN A PAIR OF KAPOW MEGGINGS? Timothée Chalamet probably takes this one!