Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Truong.
Hi Kristina, 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?
I started cosplaying back in 2015, so it’s been a part of my life for 7 years now. That same year, I attended my first convention, Denver Comic Con, and instantly became hooked. I’ve always had a love of dressing up in costume for Halloween as a kid, so it was really a natural progression into adulthood. (My love for the theatre also contributes!)
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend various conventions while decked out in cosplay, including New York Comic Con and now-Fan Expo Denver. I also have plans to finally attend my dream convention, San Diego Comic-Con, this summer!
Without cosplay, I wouldn’t have met my husband. (He’s just as nerdy as I am!) We both attended the Denver convention for years, likely having crossed paths before but never realizing it until we finally met in 2018. To share this hobby with him has been an amazing bonding experience for us, and I’m grateful every day that we’re a part of each other’s lives. And it’s all thanks to cosplay.
I got to where I am today because of the incredible community that cosplay fosters. Through meaningful relationships and connections, I’ve been given many opportunities to meet like-minded individuals (like my husband!) and work with big-name companies, like Hot Topic. I am beyond excited to see where cosplay takes me!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. As with many cosplayers (and artists/creatives), social media has been a driving force to get my name and brand (ColoradoKryptonian) out there. And while social media has certainly helped me do just that, it has also had its downfalls.
I’ve had my Instagram page, for example, for roughly 2.5 years now, and every so often I find myself more concerned with likes, reach, and engagement rather than the content I’ve created. I think as a society we have become so accustomed to using these social media platforms as a way to see value in ourselves. We attribute follower count to self-worth, and it’s totally backwards.
In addition, it’s hard to see value in what you’re creating when you’re on the receiving end of hateful and judgmental comments and messages. Social media puts you in a very vulnerable place, and it can reak havoc on your mental health.
So, lately, to overcome all of this, I remind myself to remember WHY I started cosplaying in the first place.
I started cosplaying because it combined my deepest passions all into one: pop culture and costumes.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a cosplayer known as ColoradoKryptonian.
I am mostly known for my Supergirl and Lara Croft (“Tomb Raider”) cosplays, but I’ve also created cosplays based on Marvel, Disney, and “Star Wars” characters. When I’m not working at my full-time job, I enjoy attending comic conventions (in full cosplay) and doing charity work.
I am most proud of the charity work I’ve been fortunate enough to become involved in. Dressed in my Supergirl cosplay, I attended the Denver Congenital Heart Walk (by the Children’s Heart Foundation) in October 2021 and assisted with fundraising for the non-profit, which focuses on raising awareness and funds for research on congenital heart defects (CHDs). The team at the Children’s Heart Foundation even allowed me to kick off the walk at the Denver Zoo. It was an incredible experience, and I’m hoping to attend again this year! To me, making an impact for such an important cause is why I love to cosplay.
What sets me apart from others is that I don’t take myself too seriously. I truly enjoy what I do, and that’s evident through my various social pages. I try to envoke as much positivity and kindness as possible, while simultaneously showing the more goofy/quirky side to my personality.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
If you couldn’t tell by now, I am a huge nerd! Always have been.
As I’ve mentioned before, I loved dressing up in costume for Halloween as a kid. In fact, I did whatever I could to dress up as much as possible.
My twin sister and I would create our own mini-movies or skits and act out movies and shows while in full costume of the characters being portrayed on screen.
Growing up as an identical twin, I did whatever I could to stand out from my sister; she did the same. And this, I believe, has translated into my cosplay. I try to stand out amongst the pack and create content that’s unique and one-of-a-kind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coloradokryptonian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coloradokryptonian
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cokryptonian
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@coloradokryptonian
Image Credits
@jtrucosplay
@edwardfotography
@kaitlyn_nicole5
