The Ruby Rhod FAN EXPO DALLAS 2025 Experience

Fan Expo Dallas: A Cosplay Extravaganza and Celebrity Encounters

Fan Expo Dallas proved to be an unforgettable adventure, filled with incredible cosplays, memorable celebrity interactions, and a few hilarious mishaps along the way. From fashion faux pas to eye-opening (literally!) experiences, here's a recap of our time at the expo.

Fashion & Vision: The Pre-Expo Prep

Before even stepping foot into the convention, the team found themselves grappling with essential pre-expo dilemmas: fashion and vision. The age-old question of horizontal versus vertical stripes for a "thinner" look was debated, with the consensus leaning towards vertical for a more flattering appearance. However, the true fashion mantra of the day was simple: "just wear black."

Vision proved to be a more pressing concern. One team member confessed to experiencing blurry vision, prompting concerns about eye health. The topic of LASIK eye surgery came up, with one individual sharing their positive experience:

"My allergies would get so bad that it would pull my contacts under my eyes... and then the glasses would give me a headache... for the amount of money I'm throwing into glasses every year, I could just not get my eyes checked for 3 years and then go get LASIK and that's basically what I did so in the long run I feel like I'm saving money with LASIK."

Despite the benefits, a potential downside of LASIK was acknowledged: "It did mess with my night vision... I guess it gets that little halo thing and then it's just not as pinpoint as it used to be." Another anecdote highlighted a sister's partial LASIK success, leading to one good eye and one bad eye. The conversation also touched upon the eerie sensation of temporary blindness during the LASIK procedure, where "they just slice [the lens cover] off and pull it back."

Cosplay Highlights: From Wolverine to Ronald McDonald

Fan Expo Dallas delivered an impressive array of cosplays, showcasing the dedication and creativity of attendees. Among the standouts were:

• Wolverine: Deemed "one of the most Wolverine realistic" portrayals, this cosplayer garnered significant attention.

• Mr. T: A "spot on" young Mr. T, who even took a picture with the original Mr. T, impressed with his uncanny resemblance and voice.

• Ellie and Joel from The Last of Us: These cosplayers captured the essence of the video game characters with their fabulous and accurate costumes.

• Cinderella: A "gorgeous" Cinderella was spotted taking pictures with delighted children, adding a touch of fairy tale magic.

• Creepy Ronald McDonald: A truly unique and memorable cosplay, believed to be inspired by a YouTube sketch where Ronald McDonald goes disgruntled.

• Intricate Anime Characters: Many attendees showcased incredibly detailed and elaborate anime costumes, highlighting the immense effort put into their designs.

• Tall Wonder Woman: Described as "straight up Amazon," this Wonder Woman, emulating the Gal Gadot version, commanded attention with her impressive height and powerful presence.

• Rockstar Stormtrooper: A truly creative take on the classic Star Wars character, featuring a mohawk and a guitar, even with a speaker to play music!

Celebrity Encounters: From Smallville to Star Wars

The expo also offered exciting opportunities to meet celebrities, though some encounters proved more challenging than others due to media rules and miscommunications.

• Tom Welling (Superman from Smallville): One team member was particularly thrilled to see Tom Welling, sharing a brief interaction where she jokingly asked about his preference for hair color. However, attempts to film him for the podcast were met with polite refusals due to contractual obligations.

• John Boyega (Star Wars): John Boyega was described as "cool" and accommodating, allowing the team to film him in the background. A missed opportunity to engage further with him, due to not wanting to appear like a "fanboy," was later regretted.

• Seth Green and Breckin Meyer: An attempt to film Seth Green and his friend, Breckin Meyer, was met with an awkward refusal, leading to a realization that the initial wording of requests was coming across as "desperate" for a one-on-one interview rather than a simple background shot.

Unfiltered Moments: Wedding Drama and Technical Difficulties

Beyond the main attractions, the expo experience was punctuated by candid conversations and technical glitches:

• Wedding Announcement Drama: A heated discussion unfolded regarding a bride's refusal to let her pregnant sister announce her pregnancy at the wedding, citing a past instance where the sister refused to throw the bouquet or lend it for photos. The consensus was that the bride was justified in prioritizing her special day.

• Live Stream Troubles: The team faced persistent technical issues with their live stream, experiencing delays and unexpected cut-offs, leading to a comedic struggle to get a stable feed working. The discovery that clicks on the stream were counting as "views" added to the amusement, with one jokingly referring to "secret only fans people."

Fan Expo Dallas was a vibrant tapestry of shared passions, creativity, and human connection, proving that even with a few bumps along the way, the joy of community and entertainment always prevails.