A Dazzling Start to the 2024 Mousequerade
Ready for fashion and fandom to collide? Thatโs exactly what happened when the 2024 Mousequerade D23 took over the Premiere Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center during The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. With a packed audience and electric energy, this cosplay competition celebrated creativity, storytelling, and serious Disney style.
The morning kicked off with DJ Rubin Ervin warming up the crowd, paving the way for host Nina West to make a grand entrance. Fresh off her Broadway Hairspray tour and appearance on RuPaulโs Drag Race All-Stars Season 9, Nina returned to host Mousequerade once againโthis time in an Alice in Wonderland-inspired ensemble. With backup dancers by her side, she performed her original song โYou Are the Dream,โ setting the tone for an unforgettable show.
Star-Studded Judges Panel
After Ninaโs performance, DJ Rubin introduced the panel of celebrity judges. Returning favorites included Emmyยฎ nominee Yvette Nicole Brown, known for Disenchanted, Big Shot, and Aliceโs Wonderland Bakery, and Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano and founder of the Her Universe fashion brand.
New to the panel were Caitlin McHugh Stamosโmodel, designer, podcaster, and cosplayerโand four-time Oscarยฎ-winning costume designer and Disney Legend Colleen Atwood, who brought decades of professional expertise to the judging table.
Happy Birthdays and a Magical Kickoff
Before the contest officially began, Ashley Eckstein led the audience in a joyful rendition of โHappy Birthdayโ. For both Nina West, celebrating that day, and Yvette Nicole Brown, who would be celebrating hers soon after. The moment was a perfect reminder of the community and joy that Mousequerade represents.
Nina then outlined the competitionโs three categories. โFantastic Worldsโ featured dazzling looks from Disney, Pixar, Muppets, and Disney Parks. โEpic Adventuresโ highlighted designs inspired by Marvel, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, Hulu, and 20th Century Studios. โCast of Charactersโ focused on group or duo cosplays from across the Disney universe. In addition to judge-selected category winners, fans could vote through the D23 app for an โAudience Choiceโ award.
โFantastic Worldsโ โ Diva of EPCOT: Tangledfett
โEpic Adventuresโ โ The Rumor, The Legend, The Mystery! Grand Duchess Anastasia: Maryna Matlock
โCast of Charactersโ โ Golden Afternoon: Cassie Wanda and Friends
โAudience Choiceโ โ Disneyโs Magic Beginning: Jessica Martin and Friend
