Yo folks, I’m one of the judges. I’m shocked and saddened by this news. This contestant must have really practiced for her prejudging. I have created and won awards in cel shaded costumes and she was able to answer all of my questions. She had a convincing build book as well. Cheating is so gross. I do assume the best in people. This kind of crap makes me question that. 😔

I WAS IN THIS COSPLAY CONTEST!! I even talked to this cosplayer while waiting for the contest, she mentioned how long it took her to the painting and i genuinely loved the cosplay. Knowing she lied hurts because i genuinely loved it.

Funny how she said that Tina should be shown on stage because it was so good, but didn't think it was important enough to credit the creator.

Hi everyone, I was also one of the judges in this competition. I’m incredibly angry, saddened, and shocked learning this. like Brian stated in the comments here (and he’s the cel shading pro), this contestant was able to answer all our questions. Prejudging was also incredibly quick. And I feel foolish for not catching that this individual was cheating. Cheating is disgraceful, and I too always assume the best in people. I hate how this has become so common.
I do hope Galaxy does pre-vetting in the future to avoid something like this again. I and the other judges are extremely sorry to who this situation hurt, the other contestants as well as KanonKuroy.

If I had a nickel for every time Sarah Spaceman covered a Russian cosplayer's characteristically intricate work being used by an American cosplayer to cheat at a cosplay contest, I'd have two nickels. It's not a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

It's really disheartening that Galaxcon not only did not do anything about the cheating, but the rewarded them a second time by allowing them to be a judge for another contest.

Hey everyone im BMO one of the other judges for this contest, and like my fellow judges Toxie and Perler have said, we had no clue ab what was really going on and have been really angry and dissapointed at what this person did, the problem lied in how convincing and confident she came as during prejudging, that we couldn't tell she was lying.

We have gotten in touch with the original maker and have sent our deepest apologies from all 3 of us, because this is not fair for her and the rest of the contestants who put all their effort into their entries.

It's heartbreaking that a cosplayer steals credit from another cosplayer because they should know how much effort goes into making a cosplay even if they personally have never made one

Even before it was brought up, I was legit asking from the early shots "Why doesn't it fit?".  Like, if I make something with that level of craftmanship and detail, I'm making damn sure that thing fits me like a glove.
I guess it potentially opens a Pandora's box that might get VERY toxic VERY fast, but is "tailoring" not an aspect of the costume scoring? (Note, I haven't personally entered a cosplay contest since 2015)

9:42 I’m actually the maker of the Glamrock Freddy.. this is really upsetting news to find out cuz this person was a friend of mine. I was always a little put off my their Tina(? Cosplay cuz… no progress photos.. and the skill level did NOT match their other cosplays. It was so odd, it makes a lot of sense now. Thankfully to my knowledge, they have never stated they made my glamrock Freddy… but knowing my once prized possession is now in the hands of a cheater is very upsetting😭💔

I'm having deja vu. Didn't another cosplayer buy an used cosplay from someone in Russia? and that cosplayer competed and won saying they made it from scratch

15:09 - "Oh interesting...I don't like that..." is going to be my new go to seal of disapproval.

I've competed with this cosplayer at the incredible con.... I was the second place right behind her. I heard about the sandbagging allegations and tried to be understanding for it because it was a different situation... But this.... This is truly heartbreaking as someone who connected with her and have been judged by her in that same incredible con the next year.....

I WAS AT THIS CON! Every part of this con was an absolute mess, and for my safety and well-being, I cannot go again unless massive changes are made. I'm not surprised at all to see someone cheat in the cosplay contest or the leadership at the con not doing anything to remotely fix this... but I feel so sorry for all of the people who actually worked so hard to put everything they had in their cosplays to not get the full amount of praise, love, and support because someone chose to present work they didn't do. If you are considering going to this con, please be safe, everyone!

Passing someone else's work as your own is plagiarism. Doing so for profit, is actually criminal.

i'm not surprised galaxycon did nothing. my friend who was vending, got harassed by another vendor there. galaxycon did nothing to help my friend because the vendor who was doing the harassing was friends with someone running part of the con it was a whole thing.

I stay away from galaxycon now cuz not just this stuff, but i have heard many horror stories from ppl on how they treat artists and people with disabilities. its awful.. :(

She spent 1800 to make 1000. Really was nothing more then bragging rights for her.

19:22 this sucks that the con didn’t do anything ! But as long as everyone who cosplays knows she’s a cheater than it’s better because she will be kinda shunned an shamed by the community. And hopefully she won’t be a judge on the next

That lady should be a banned from cosplay contests, period.  Make it happen people. Job done.

I can't understand what it's like in the mind of someone accepting praise for something they didn't make. Watching them say thank you and looking happy while knowing they didn't make anything is so enraging as an artist.