June's Bombshell, Victoria Avalor, Embraces Her Inner Princess

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photo credit: Victoria Avalor cosplay with Green House Photography
 
This month we bring to you a highly talented cosplayer whose charity work exemplify the love promoted by her favorite character, Wonder Woman. While we are fortunate to spotlight such a wonderful cosplayer during the release of Warner Bros WONDER WOMAN movie, it's important that we don't lose sight of the other princess she portrays.
 
Victoria Avalor's Princess Leia cosplay is a wonderful tribute to the late Carrie Fisher, who hopefully is smiling down on us from a galaxy far, far away.
 
WIthout any further rambling from us, we invite you to meet this month's bombshell:
 

Victoria Avalor

 
What is your interest in cosplay (i.e. Why do you do it)? 
In the beginning I did it for fun. I loved expressing my love for my favorite characters. Sadly, the community got very competitive and catty once cosplay became mainstream. The last 4 years I have been doing cosplay mostly as a volunteer for childrens charities. I also do princess parties. 
 
How did you get into it, and what was your first cosplay experience?
My boyfriend introduced me to cosplay. He didn't ask me to do it. He just showed me a picture of a beautiful cosplayer. I thought it looked neat and wanted to try it. My first experience wasn't very pleasant. It was back in 2006 and my first costume was Aerith Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII. I got a lot of racists comments online, because I am of Puerto Rican descent and am not white. People flat out said my skin color was a problem. 
 
Secret identity (Without providing stalker info, what do you do for a living outside of cosplay)?
I am currently a part time Nanny. I also run my own birthday party business. I am a professional princess performer for hire.
 
Social Activities (Especially if you are able to incorporate cosplay into it, such as charity events)?
I have been collecting Barbie dolls my entire life. It's my number one hobby. I love Barbie and fashion dolls. I love to read. I am currently reading the Percy Jackson books. I'm a big Disney movie fan. I have also been doing volunteer charity work for the past 4 years as a super hero. I've volunteered for organizations such as Make-A-Wish, The Ronald McDonald House, Shriners Hospital For Children, The Special Olympics and many more. I like to Blog in my free time as well.  
 
Do you make as much of your own costume as possible or rely on purchased materials -- and is that important overall to cosplaying?
I make as much as I can. I'm not a seamstress but I have made accessories such as a mermaid crown and Poison Ivy shoes. I don't think it's important if someone makes their costume or not. I definitely have admiration and respect for those who make their own costumes. But if you don't, that's okay too. It's okay to express your fandom. Just don't take credit or steal another persons work. 
 
Favorite Cosplay (Your go-to look that you just love to put on and act out)?
I love being Wonder Woman. She has been my favorite superhero my entire life. I love that even though she is a warrior, she is also caring, compassionate, loving and kind. I love the society she comes from (Themyscira). I also love that she is a princess. Being a princess and a superhero is the best combination. Children get so excited when they see me as Wonder Woman. I've been doing charity work as her for 4 years. It means so much to the little girls to see a strong female character who is equal to Superman.
 
 
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Etsy, etc. Where can people go to find you online?
Facebook: Victoria Avalor
Twitter & Instagram: @victoria_avalor