From our Friends at D23
Ready for fashion and fandom to collide? Guests filled the Anaheim Convention Center’s Premiere Stage Saturday morning for one of the most anticipated shows of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event: the 2024 Mousequerade!
DJ Rubin Ervin hilariously warmed up the crowd before Nina West—recently seen on tour in Broadway’s Hairspray, and competing for charity on RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars Season 9—took to the stage, with a gaggle of dancers, to perform her original song “You Are the Dream.” Dressed in an Alice in Wonderland-inspired costume, West was returning for her second stint as Mousequeradehost, and the crowd was thrilled to see her again.
DJ Rubin then introduced our Mousequerade judges, including Emmy® nominee Yvette Nicole Brown, star of Disney+’s Disenchanted and Big Shot and Disney Junior’s Alice’s Wonderland Bakery; and Ashley Eckstein, voice of Star Wars’ Ahsoka Tano, author, and the creator of the Her Universe clothing line (dressed as, in her words, a “fashion-forward Lottie” from The Princess and the Frog)—both of whom were returning to Mousequerade as well. New to the festivities this year were Caitlin McHugh Stamos, noted model, podcaster, jewelry designer, and cosplayer; and newly minted Disney Legend Colleen Atwood, the incredible, four-time Oscar®-winning costume designer. What a lineup!
West then returned to explain the Mousequerade… For 2024, contestants would be judged in three categories: “Fantastic Worlds,” celebrating the most stunning costumes inspired by the best of Disney, Pixar, The Muppets, and Disney Parks around the world; “Epic Adventures,” featuring looks from the worlds of Marvel, Lucasfilm, Hulu, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios; and “Cast of Characters,” the category for duos or groups creating their favorite cosplays from any of the Disney universes.
Once Eckstein led everyone in an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday” for both West—whose birthday was that day!—and Brown, who was to celebrate hers a few days later, the contest began. The winners of every Mousequerade category, chosen by the four judges, received a Disney gift card; additionally, the assembled audience got to vote via the Disney D23 app for an “Audience Choice” favorite, who also won a gift card!
And now, take a gander at each incredible category winner; the “Audience Choice” winner—as presented by head of D23, Michael Vargo; and a few other looks from the show…
“Fantastic Worlds” – Diva of EPCOT: Tangledfett
“Epic Adventures” – The Rumor, The Legend, The Mystery! Grand Duchess Anastasia: Maryna Matlock
“Cast of Characters” – Golden Afternoon: Cassie Wanda and Friends
“Audience Choice” – Disney’s Magic Beginning: Jessica Martin and Friend
