Jessica Nigri

Jessica Nigri
Nigri cosplaying as Lollipop Chainsaw's Juliet Starling during the game's marketing campaign in 2012
Born1988 or 1989 (age 35–36)
Reno, Nevada, U.S
Occupation(s)Cosplay celebrity, spokesmodel, YouTuber, voice actress
Years active2009–present (Cosplaying)
2012–present (Modeling)
Notes

Jessica Nigri (born 1989)[1][3] is an American cosplayer, promotional and glamour model, YouTuber, voice actress, and fan convention interview correspondent. She has been cosplaying since 2009 and modeling since 2012, having served as an official spokesmodel for several video games and comic book series, including Lollipop Chainsaw[4] and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. She is also notable for her voice work as Cinder Fall in RWBY.

Early life

Nigri was born in Reno, Nevada,[2] United States and grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand, which is her mother's homeland.[5][6][7] She later moved to Arizona. Nigri has been cosplaying since 2009,[8][9] when her cosplay of "Sexy Pikachu" that she wore to San Diego Comic-Con went viral on the Internet.[7][10][11] In 2011, she promoted Gears of War 3 for Microsoft and GameStop, dressed up as the game's character Anya Stroud for the game's release.[12]

Career

In 2012, Nigri won IGN's contest for a model to portray Juliet Starling, protagonist of Suda51's video game Lollipop Chainsaw and was hired as a spokesmodel by Warner Bros. Games.[13][14] When she appeared as Juliet at the 2012 Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East, convention officials, having received complaints that the pink outfit she was wearing was too revealing, asked her to either change or step off the floor and restrict her presence; Nigri changed into Juliet Starling's regular costume, but it was deemed too revealing as well and she was asked to leave.[15] As part of the deal, Kadokawa Games brought her on Lollipop Chainsaw to Japan to attend Akihabara[16] and tour Japanese video game magazines and websites, including Famitsu and Dengeki.[17] That same year, Nigri signed up to promote or represent several other works, including Kill3rCombo's video game Elsword[18][19] and comic book series Grimm Fairy Tales (for Zenescope Entertainment)[20][21] and Knightingail (by Crucidel Productions).[22][23]

Cosplay as Gurren Lagann's Yoko Littner at Saboten Con 2009 (left) and League of Legends' Lux at the 2014 Amazing Arizona Comic Con (right)

Nigri was hired to be a spokesmodel for Amazing Arizona Comic Con 2011,[24] was invited to multiple conventions including Anime Expo 2012,[25][26] Anime Revolution 2012 (including appearing as the convention mascot Senkaku Mei)[27][28] and 2013,[29][30] AVCon 2013,[31] Montreal Comiccon 2013,[32] Anime South 2013[33] and Ottawa Pop Expo,[34] as a guest of honor. She was featured on YouTube channels and shows such as KassemG[35][36] and The Philip DeFranco Show[37][38] and in a unique card in the downloadable trading card game Z.[39]

In 2013, Nigri was again approached by Suda51 to portray the character Vivienne Squall from Grasshopper Manufacture's new video game Killer Is Dead, to which she accepted.[40][41][42] That same year, after cosplaying the character Connor Kenway from Assassin's Creed III,[43][44] she was hired by Ubisoft to portray a female version of Captain Edward Kenway, the protagonist of video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag at Gamescom 2013.[45][46][47] At E3 2013, she portrayed both Vivienne Squall and Edward Kenway;[6][11][48] she also represented Tecmo Koei's video game Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, portraying the character Miss Monday at PAX 2013.[49] In 2014, she cosplayed at Carbine Studios' WildStar PAX East booth.[50]

Nigri has worked as an interviewer for media outlets such as GameZone,[48] RUGGED TV[51] and Comic Book Therapy.[52] She also starred in several commercial video advertisements and music videos and did charity work.[29][34][53] Aside from appearing on the PDS in the past, Nigri is a friend of DeFranco, including having her merchandise hosted in his store ForHumanPeoples,[54] Nigri opened her own online poster store, named Nigri please![55] According to PlayStation Official Magazine, Nigri is "not just a cosplayer but also a massive gamer";[14] she says she has played video games since her early childhood, starting at an age of seven[6] and having been first exposed to them by her father.[5][7]

Nigri has been active as a member of the cosplay group XX Girls and Kat Gunn's professional gaming and cosplay team, Less Than 3 (LT3), sponsored by Mad Catz.[56] Nigri has also worked with theCHIVE.[57][58] For some time, a particular interest of Nigri has been to dress up as "genderbending"[59] female versions of various male characters. After Nigri reportedly declined to appear on the controversial 2013 reality show Heroes of Cosplay,[60] the Syfy network's producers manufactured what appeared to be a fierce rivalry and dislike between her and the show's star Yaya Han in order to make the series look more dramatic;[61][62][63] the two later appeared together to explain they are actually friends in real life and the show is not necessarily an accurate representation of cosplay subculture.[64] Nigri said she plans to eventually retire from modeling and to study and pursue a career in the "behind the scenes" aspects of marketing and advertising.[9]

In 2018, Nigri was the subject of Becoming Jessica Nigri, a documentary produced by Rooster Teeth and directed by Mat Hames.[65]

Filmography

Film and television

Documentary
Year Title Role Source
2018 Becoming Jessica Nigri Jessica Nigri [66]
List of voice performances in film and television
Year Title Role Notes Source
2013–present RWBY Cinder Fall [67]
2014 Red vs. Blue Simmons' Lieutenant episodes "Oh Captains, My Captains" and "Something Else Entirely" [68]
2015 Super Sonico: The Animation Sonico [69]
2016–2018; 2021 RWBY Chibi Cinder Fall [70]

Commercials

Year Title Role Source
2012 Zom-Be-Gone Juliet Starling (Lollipop Chainsaw) [71]
2012 Buzzzzzz Kill Juliet Starling (Lollipop Chainsaw) [72]
2013 KID TV Vivienne Squall (KILLER IS DEAD) [73]

Music videos

Year Title Role Source
2011 Chalkskin: T 'n A Cosplay girl
2012 Nigri Please! Sonya Blade (Mortal Kombat)[citation needed]

Video games

Year Title Role Source
2014 Smite Cinder Fall
2016 Sonicomi: Communication With Sonico Sonico [74]

References

  1. ^ a b Tanos, Lorenzo (November 28, 2019). "Cosplay Queen Jessica Nigri Puts Cleavage And Booty On Display In 'Fall Fairy' Costume". Inquisitr. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Johnston, Rich (June 1, 2012). "Talking To Jessica Nigri About Cosplay". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  3. ^ Lozovschi, Alexandra (April 8, 2021). "'Queen Of Cosplay' Jessica Nigri Shares Candid Photo With No Makeup After Run". Inquisitr. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  4. ^ "Jessica Nigri as Juliet Starling from Lollipop Chainsaw". Cosplay News Network. August 1, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Jessica Nigri's Panel at AVCon". YouTube. July 14, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c "Jessica Nigri E3 2013 Interview | Gamezone". Yahoo Screen. Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c jessicanigri (September 23, 2013). "500,000 likes Thank You Video!". YouTube. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  8. ^ "Jessica Nigri Cosplay Queen". Cosplay News Network. August 1, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Cosplay in America (February 18, 2013). "Cosplay in America INTERVIEW : Jessica Nigri". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  10. ^ "the AU interview at AVCon 2013: Jessica Nigri (Nevada)". the AU review. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  11. ^ a b IGN (June 13, 2013). "E3 VIP: IGN Meets Jessica Nigri - E3 2013". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  12. ^ jessicanigri (September 25, 2011). "Gears of War 3 Midnight Release!". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  13. ^ "Interview: Jessica Nigri Talks Life As "Juliet Starling"". Complex. June 7, 2012. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Jessica Nigri cosplay gallery: 'Juliet is the best heroine' | Features". Official PlayStation Magazine. June 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  15. ^ "Two fun people were asked to leave PAX East". Destructoid. April 8, 2012. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  16. ^ "Lollipop Chainsaw - Jessica Nigri & Mayu Kawamoto Coming to Akihabara May 19th (Japanese)". YouTube. May 11, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  17. ^ "Lollipop Chainsaw Tour; Interviews, pom-poms, tiny skirts and MORE!". June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  18. ^ "Kill3rCombo Signs Jessica Nigri for Official Elsword Cosplay at Anime Expo 2012". Canadian Online Gamers. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  19. ^ Carmichael, Stephanie (May 24, 2012). "Jessica Nigri to represent Elsword at Anime Exp..." GameZone. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  20. ^ "Phoenix Comic Con Line UP!". June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  21. ^ "Zenescope Entertainment Give Fans What They WANTED". Thegeekality.com. February 27, 2013. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  22. ^ Agent Burgos (July 16, 2012). "Get Ready For WonderCon!". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  23. ^ "Knightingail at Phoenix Comic CON!! - Jessica Nigri Official". July 22, 2012. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  24. ^ jessicanigri (January 12, 2011). "Jessica Nigri at the Amazing Arizona Comic-Con (PART 1)". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  25. ^ Moore, Marlon (June 8, 2012). "Know Your GoH! – Jessica Nigri". Anime-Expo. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013.
  26. ^ "Anime Expo announces Jessica Nigri, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Ryo Horikawa and Rikiya Koyama as 2012 Guest of Honors". Nerd Reactor. June 1, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  27. ^ "Anime Revolution 2013: Jessica Nigri Photos | Vancity Buzz | Vancouver Events, News, Food, Lifestyle and More". Vancity Buzz. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  28. ^ "Guests" Archived June 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Anime Revolution. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  29. ^ a b "Anime Revolution Welcomes Jessica Nigri Back to Canada". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  30. ^ "Jessica Nigri Returns to AR2013! - AniRevo 2014". Animerevolution.ca. March 6, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  31. ^ "First Guest Announcement - JESSICA NIGRI". AVCon. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  32. ^ "Jessica Nigri - Our Guests - Comiccon". Montrealcomiccon.com. September 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  33. ^ "Guests". Anime South. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  34. ^ a b "Jessica Nigri - Our Guests - Pop Expo". Ottawapopexpo.ca. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  35. ^ Gharaibeh, Kassem. "California on Playlist". YouTube. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  36. ^ My Birth Certificate Is An Apology From The Condom Factory (AsKassem #24). YouTube. February 23, 2011.
  37. ^ Philip DeFranco (July 16, 2012). "Jessica Nigri Wins, YouTube Sues and Sarah Silverman Scissors". Revision3. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  38. ^ Philip DeFranco (September 18, 2012). "A Jessica Nigri Tease, $50,000 Ideas & the iPhone 5 Is Selling Like Crazy!". Revision3. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  39. ^ Best Inventions of 2010. "Z. by Downward Viral » A wild Jessica Nigri appears! — Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved August 4, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ "Jessica Nigri is back to promote Suda51's Killer is Dead". GameZone. April 26, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  41. ^ Liebl, Matt (June 14, 2013). "Talking Killer is Dead with Jessica Nigri.. err..." GameZone. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  42. ^ "Jessica Nigri Plays Gigolo Mode". Youtube.com. July 7, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  43. ^ "Jessica Nigri becomes an Assassin with her latest cosplay". Destructoid. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  44. ^ "ASSASSINS CREED 3: Jessica Nigri Comes Out of Hiding for this Stunning Cosplay Shoot — GeekTyrant". Geektyrant.com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  45. ^ Mad Catz (August 23, 2013). "Gamescom 2013: Jessica Nigri Interview". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  46. ^ meristation (August 25, 2013). "Jessica Nigri y las azafatas de la Gamescom 2013". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  47. ^ "gamescom 2013 – Cosplay-Star Jessica Nigri im Interview – RTL II Spiele – Video – RTL2 Mediathek". Rtl2.de. August 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  48. ^ a b GameZoneOnline (June 17, 2013). "Jessica Nigri E3 Trivia Answers". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  49. ^ "PAX Prime 2013: Cosplay And Tacos At The 'Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z' Truck [Photos]". Multiplayerblog.mtv.com. August 31, 2013. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  50. ^ Liebl, Matt (March 27, 2014). "Jessica Nigri and Monika Lee to cosplay at Wild..." GameZone. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  51. ^ "I.V. Weekly-Chronicle | Costumes Still A Major Part Of Comic-Con Experience". Tribwekchron.com. August 9, 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  52. ^ jessicanigri (January 10, 2011). "Exclusive Hilarious Interview With Rob Liefeld Creator Of Deadpool". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  53. ^ "Jessica Nigri Cosplay Pics #ECCC 2013". Die-Screaming. March 8, 2013. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  54. ^ "Nigri Please! Poster feat. Jessica Nigri". ForHumanPeoples. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  55. ^ "NIGRI PLEASE! | Home | Online Store Powered by Storenvy". Jessicanigri.storenvy.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  56. ^ "Jessica Nigri". Mad Catz. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  57. ^ "The reigning queen of the 'Con, Jessica Nigri (36 Photos)". theCHIVE. July 12, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  58. ^ "Jessica Nigri is the Chivette of the Week (27 Photos)". theCHIVE. May 8, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  59. ^ jessicanigri (December 2, 2013). "WHAT'S ALL THIS CHOCOLATE ON YOUR FACE!?". YouTube. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  60. ^ "5 Things I Learned From SyFy's "Heroes of Cosplay"". Anime News Network. September 10, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  61. ^ "Comics Alliance Reviews SyFy's 'Heroes of Cosplay' [Video]". Comicsalliance.com. August 30, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  62. ^ Gallagher, Luke (August 21, 2013). "Sexuality vs Talent – Why Manufactured Drama on Syfy's 'Heroes of Cosplay' is Ruining Cosplay". nerdbastards.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  63. ^ "Yaya Han vs Jessica Nigri - Battle of the Cosplay titans in Heroes of Cosplay | The RPF Pulse". Pulse.therpf.com. August 20, 2013. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  64. ^ Yaya Han (September 5, 2013). "Jessica Nigri and Yaya Han - real friends or reality TV characters?". YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  65. ^ Whittaker, Richard (February 2, 2018). "Now Streaming in Austin: Becoming Jessica Nigri". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  66. ^ "RT Docs: Becoming Jessica Nigri Trailer". Rooster Teeth. Retrieved January 31, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  67. ^ "Instagram post by Jessica Nigri • Sep 11, 2016 at 12:56am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  68. ^ Red vs. Blue: Season 12. Rooster Teeth. 2014.
  69. ^ "Sentai Filmworks Casts Professional Cosplayer Jessica Nigri as Lead in Super Sonico". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  70. ^ "Tweet by Jessica Nigri". Twitter. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  71. ^ gamespot (April 5, 2012). "ZOM-BE-GONE - Lollipop Chainsaw Live Action Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  72. ^ CoinOpTV (May 17, 2012). "Lollipop Chainsaw Juliet Starling Robot Official Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  73. ^ "kadokawagames". YouTube. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  74. ^ AnimeNewsNetwork (April 8, 2016). "Jessica Nigri Returns to Voice Sonico in English Release of Sonicomi Game". AnimeNewsNetwork. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jessica Nigri.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Jessica Nigri.