Cosplay Central Crown Championships - PAX 2023 Australia | Can Toph win a National Competition? C2E2

On October 8th 2023, the Cosplay Central Crown Championships Australian prelim was help at PAX in Melbourne... and I entered in Toph.
This was my 4th time entering this competition and I knew I was one of 10 who were fortunate enough to have been selected to be in the prelim.
And after months of work, Toph took to the stage! But how did it all work out? Watch and find out ;)
(Sorry about the sudden music around the 8 minute mark - there was some copyrighted music)
Time stops:
0:00 Intro
0:19 The lead up
4:45 Day of Championships
8:00 The Championships
10:58 The Results
15:00 Wrap up/ Thoughts
Website: www.kirileecosplay.com/
Patreon: / kirileecosplay
Social media:
Facebook page: / kirileecosplay
Instagram: @kirileecosplay

[@katmaresparkles9578]

You know both of your cosplays of Sunset Dragon Designs won you the best overall champion in the competition. First with Red and now with Toph. Congratulations!

[@KirileeCosplay]

I am aware :) I messaged sunset dragon and I said “I guess you are my lucky charm” :)

[@AnonPanOn]

My jaw DROPPED when you revealed the costumed on stage. It's so absolutely well-done and so SO gorgeous. Like the reveal is genuinely powerful. So inspiring and such a well-deserved win

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!! I am glad that you (and the audience) seem to live it :)

[@megankrahl1182]

You did a FABULOUS job on this costume! And your stage presence, even for a non-skit, definitely adds something extra. Good luck with the next one!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!! Yeh the judges made it very clear they wanted characterisation so I brought the most amount of sass that I could

[@ClosetChloeCosplay]

You have always been a craftsmanship cosplayer. Red won at ALA not just because your skit was hilarious, but because the costume was beautifully made. Not to mention your tutorials have made so many people’s costumes (like mine!) possible. ❤ Miami has a Crown qualifier I want to try. I have to see what happens at Holmat first. 😅 But I’m excited to watch you compete at C2E2!

[@KirileeCosplay]

We mate thank you. ALA’s mark though is sort of 50/50, with the proviso that it doesn’t have to be lol But Red was definitely a 50/50, and it was not the best purely craftsmanship based cosplay in that competition. I’m not upset at that - red is absolutely awesome and I love her and the skit was super fun to do. But thank you! And yes! You should also apply for crown!

[@naturalnat3452]

You should be very proud of yourself. You did an amazing job of creating your Toph cosplay. You now also have the the added title of champion for your hard work. I hope this shows you that your craftsmanship is phenomenal and pushes you to take on more cosplay projects in the future. You are capable of creating more phenomenal work.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thanks 😅

[@MissRoseTrucker]

I saw the Instagram posts, but I burst into tears 🥹. I have been watching every step of the way!!. CHICAGO!!! You're coming to my neck of the woods!! So happy for you!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@KirileeCosplay]

It will be here before we know it!

[@theubermensch27]

I was right there in the crowd the whole time, it was absolutely amazing seeing you come on stage as Toph! You honestly did the cosplay justice, there was no doubt in my mind that you'd win. The crowd's reaction to seeing you was insane, it was a well deserved win and I hope I see you at PAX next year!! Congratulations!!!! :)

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!! I’m glad it looked good in the audience!

[@caitlinzuniga6630]

Tearing up right along with you! Long time fan of you and your channel, and have following the whole Toph costume excitedly (and blown away with your skills, dedication, and craftsmanship!) so to see the final result is incredible! Plus winning top prize is awesome and so well deserved!!! Congratulations!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@KirileeCosplay]

Awww thank you so much for coming along on this journey with me

[@weissflower]

I am also in tears seeing you win. When I saw the instagram post of the win I literally gasped just from the walk on, you embodied Toph and the rocks!!!!!!! Amazing work I’m so glad you get to compete in it again 🎉

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!

[@lyndawakefield6879]

Omg. You totally rocked it. Pun intended. Lol. Awesome. I am from British Columbia Canada. 💕🇨🇦🎉

[@KirileeCosplay]

Hahaha! Why thank you!

[@Cherry_sew_sweet]

Congratulations!!!!! Can't wait to see you rep Aus at C2E2 🎉🎉🎉

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thanks so much!

[@roxiepoe9586]

I was dumbfounded by the quality of the competition. Congratulations. Thank you for sharing your journey. It is so amazing.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!

[@dewfeatherz6269]

I am so so happy for you, congratulations and you so very much deserve this win!! C2E2 was one of my favorite cons from this past year, I handled for my friend back stage at crown. From my experience, the greenroom vibes were excellent

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!! I am very keen for it

[@mrs.knecro7044]

Congratulations! So cool to have watched the process and see you win through all of it. Also you coming out of prejudging is how i exited from pretty much all of my exams ever just always felt like I messed up 😂. Even without sound the mini skit on stage was so cool to see it all come together.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you for coming with me on this insane journey!

[@AntiquarianClothier]

You completely deserved the win, you sewed, dyed, crafted and even made your wig and shoes. I know how it feels to not feel like your worthy and this has held me back from competing.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Oi! You are worthy of entering!

[@ShinySarah44]

Congratulations! And I think this is such a fantastic proof of how much your craft has developed over the years! I'm so glad you took the leap for this competition, as I do think a part of knowing it was solely for the cosplay would have driven you to a higher level. There also wasn't the time and energy distraction in lead up of developing the skit too. Your cosplays have always been fantastic, but with every make you have learned something new, whether as a specific skill or just an understanding of the process. Toph represents that in all the parts; even just the pants prove that! xD Imagine how yourself in the past would have approached or created those, with the defying gravity, rocks, air brushing, ombre, all the parts of it. I'm sure it would have been good and done the job, but something would have been left out or simplified in the process. But with all your growing experiences and each project, you had the resilience to get through and get every detail correct and complete.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thanks!

[@kkiravr]

I found your channel a few months ago and a big congrats to you Kirilee!! This is awesome! I was screaming for you from South Africa!❤ I can’t wait to see more of your journey next year! I’m very new to making my own cosplays and you give me so much confidence and inspire me to make so many more🥰 Well done seriously!🤩

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!! The South African cosplay community is amazing! Such amazing skill!

[@MimsieSky]

I'm currently working my ass off to get my costume done in time to enter the C2E2 contest! I hope to see you there! I'm dying to see the rock prop up close! :)

[@KirileeCosplay]

Good luck! I can’t wait to see everyone’s entry

[@lesleyharris525]

Congratulations, your costume looks epic. ❤

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you!

[@yourlocaltheatrekid900]

So excited to see you at c2e2!

[@KirileeCosplay]

I look forward to it too!

[@yourlocaltheatrekid900]

@@KirileeCosplay will you be wearing Toph on the main floor?

[@kkiravr]

I entered the Championship of Cosplay in novice and won best newcomer this year!🥳

[@KirileeCosplay]

Well done!

[@merriehightower1481]

Kirilee you do amazing work and truly do become the character you are portraying. You deserved the award! Congratulations on winning it on your 4th time in the competition. Good luck and have fun in the US next year. And I agree that the other competitors were awesome.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much! I am truly excited - I can’t wait to see everyone else’s cosplays

[@marjonantoons7538]

Well, you kinda build up to it, but I still was nervous for you and screamed when they actually called out Toph the winner. Really happy for you. Very well done! Congratulations! (And nobody's eyes got teary here! Who said that?!)

[@KirileeCosplay]

Awwww thank you so much. I am truly honoured that I won ^_^

[@thetimelesscostumemaker1266]

Congratulations!!! Your Toph was absolutely amazing, and a work of art.

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I BACKED OUT OF THE CONNECTED SO FAST! 😂😂😂 I'm so glad I watched the whole thing before leaving the outcome!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

HURRAY!!!!!!!

[@KirileeCosplay]

I hope you enjoyed it

[@autumn7143]

I’m not surprised that you won!!! I’ve been watching all along, and this was an amazing build. Congrats!!! You did an amazing job!!!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!! Everyone on that stage did so much work so I am very humbled

[@thistleweed]

I've been watching as this all happened on your instagram WELL DONE!!! YOU ABSOLUTELY SMASHED THIS AND YOU DESERVE THIS WIN!!!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!!

[@stayshiny4775]

I'm so excited to see you continue, learn and excel as time goes on. Everyone's cosplays in the competition was stunning, but your win was well earned, and well deserved. Congratulations!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you :)

[@historyjunkie19]

Well done! Enjoyed all of the "making of" videos. Thanks for sharing!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thanks for watching! I am so grateful to you for being part of the journey

[@Nessi-dances]

Congrats! Absolutely amazing and deserved. You've worked really hard at leveling up your skills and it shows! I get chills every time I see you do the stomp and pull the rocks up 💯💜💜💜

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you so much!!

[@joannebrown4073]

Massive congratulations. All your hard work and planning paid off big style. Well done Terry for all the behind the scenes stuff.xx

[@KirileeCosplay]

He is certainly is my rock. ^_^

[@suzettecowan7829]

Congratulations from Texas!!!!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you!!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I'm SO EXCITED FOR YOU!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I love seeing your emotion because it shows us how really important this was and I didn't have the backstory or contacts you gave in this video. Oh my gosh I'm just so pleased for you! Well done and what a validation of all of your work leading up to this point! Super excited to see what you do in the next year!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you very much

[@faitparchristine]

I was honestly surprised when they said "Toph" instead of "Kirilee", wasn't sure if it was an aussie thing to say the character name instead of entry number and cosplayer name. I would have a huge brain fart myself if that happened 😅 And the pros of going to bed at 3 am was not having to wait till I got up to see the competition and results 💪😂

[@KirileeCosplay]

Hahaha you are so wonderful! Having the character name read out rather than my name was the first time I had experienced that but I guess the audience will remember the character more than my name :)

[@greatlakesnarwhalmichellee4507]

🎉🎉🎉💃💃💃🎉🎉🎉 you did AWESOME

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you 🤗

[@ushere5791]

squeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KirileeCosplay]

Thank you lol