Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendalyn (Kenni) Aldridge.
Hi Kendalyn (Kenni), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I actually started off as a traditional model around 2018. Then COVID hit and I took what I thought was going to be an indefinite hiatus. I had accomplished a lot in the arts by that time and I was satisfied with that. When I turned 30, I went through my prior work for a time capsule post and remembered how much fun I had back then. I had attended 2 anime conventions by this time and had a blast cosplaying. So I decided to rebrand my account to be more focused on cosplay. There’s still some side quests that includes traditional modeling though!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been really grateful for how well the cosplay community has accepted me! I’m mainly specialize in “closet cosplays” (or regular clothing that can also be used as costume) so I’m not at the level of crafting that most cosplayers are at. Whatever I can’t find, I commission from local artists/small businesses. I might learn more in the crafting sphere in the future, but for now I’m happy with where my skills are at.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As mentioned before, I specialize in “closet” cosplays. I really enjoy doing the research of seeing what clothing piece best represents the character; even if the cosplay isn’t accurate to the source material, I also do a lot of lip sync videos to existing songs that I feel matches a particular character or franchise.
My main objective for this account is to have fun. I don’t put as much pressure on myself to keep up with the trends around me. So that helps inspire me to use lesser known songs as well as songs I genuinely enjoy.
One of the cosplays that I’m really proud of is the Klabautermann (Spirit of the Going Merry) from “One Piece”. The Klabautermann really highlights my love for “deep cuts” (or lesser known references) and how creative my research can be. There’s a few references tied into my cosplay. The white, off-the should top is supposed to be reminiscent of the sails and the brown skirt has a pirate vibe to it. I have tangerine earrings that represent the tangerine trees on the Going Merry. My choker has ram heads to represent the masthead. I have an inflatable wooden hammer (which is what the Klabautermann uses to repair ships) and a yellow cloak with a hood (which is mentioned in the anime/manga). To top off my props, I found a chalk bag that looks like the Going Merry to put on my belt. Even the make up ties into the character but there’s some spoilers that come with the explanation.
I’m also really proud of my Bunny Girl Zoro variation (from “One Piece”). I commissioned quite a few items for this cosplay. The bunny ears are green and black with a battle notch in one of the ears. I also put Zoro’s signature earrings on the left ear. The same person also made my green and black bunny tail. I wanted a version of Zoro where I didn’t have to carry around the full sized katanas. So I worked with a friend to create 3D printed katana daggers. He was able to put a unique design on each blade too! I show these off every chance I get. I also commissioned my choker and garters from another friend of mine. She made a semi lacy choker with 3 dangling dagger charms. Then the garters also match and each have 1 dagger. I purposely found a neon green wig and green fishnet stockings to represent Zoro’s green belt.
Video/Reel wise, I’m really proud of the compilation videos that I filmed at the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026. These included the songs “Nonstop” from Hamilton, AJR’s “Overture” from their album “The Click”, and “Obvious by Faber Drive. It took about 6 months to film and edit all of the cosplays that I had (as of early 2026). So each cosplay you see in those videos were filmed about 3-4 times that day. I really got to see how much I’ve grown since I first started cosplaying and it was fun to see my friends support my work as I completed the videos.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Honestly, everything about the cosplay process makes me happy. I get to express myself and my creativity in so many ways. I love the research that I do (even if it gets tedious) because I get to really test the limits of my creativity while also making the cosplay as practical as possible. I’m usually not too worried about being authentic (or canon) to my character; but they do have to be recognizable. I also get to meet and work with new businesses when I need something commissioned. I absolute love the final reveal to see how our visions matched up.
I also love the research process of finding songs that match a certain character or franchise. Often times, it’s a song that I already have in my Spotify library or a song that I heard via an Instagram ad. There’s usually a point in the song lyrics that clicks and then I’ll refresh my memory to make sure that the concept makes sense to what’s in the source material.
I love meeting other cosplayers at conventions and collaborating with them; even if our franchises don’t match. You never know what interpretation may come up and that’s always half the fun.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenniishere
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenniishere?_r=1&_t=ZP-95hxq9Wsev0
Image Credits
Musa from “The Winx Club”: Victor (IG: taiske_abara)
Bunny Girl Zoro (Zoro variant from “One Piece”) : Dipper (IG: dippics_s), Daggers by LabLife3D (Etsy), Jewelry: Kristen (IG kristenkittycreations), ears/tail: ALIA (Etsy)
Beach photo: Pierre Hartley (IG: shogi.visuals)
Honor Looking for Zuko was taken at Anime Frontier (2024)
The Klabautermann: Kali Rhe (IG: rheamarkable)
3 Broom Zoro: Pierre Hartley (IG: shogi.visuals)
Espeon: Courtney Dawn (IG: glassandlightphotography), Ears: Kristen (IG kristenkittycreations),
Fancy Fem Zoro: Eric Wideman (IG: ewide)
