Las Vegas Weekly

Heidi Haldeman—On the dress-up lowdown

Heidi Halderman

Photo: Beverly Poppe

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA

Age: 24

Profession: Cosplay bartender, Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar, Monte Carlo

Profile: Haldeman bartends in the Dragon Noodle Co.’s recently renovated Cosplay Lounge. Cosplay—short for “costume play”—takes its fanciful colors and characters from Japanese anime and comic books. Says Haldeman, “Cosplay is the act of dressing up as your favorite anime character. Unlike being just a hobby in America, it is a way of life in parts of Japan.”

Why I Do What I Do: “When people see me out at nightclubs, working or just grabbing my groceries, they see just your everyday Vegas girl. What they don’t know is that they just went by the biggest nerd ever. I am in love with anime. My best friend Paul introduced me to this world. Now, I make my own costumes, attend conventions all over the U.S. and even perform at them at times. Being so busy with work and school, I sometimes have to miss out on anime events. Now, I can enjoy my hobby almost everyday.”

Personal Tidbit: At conventions, Haldeman dresses as “Yoruichi Shihoin” from the Bleach anime series. At work, she’s a cosplay schoolgirl. But outside of work, Haldeman really does attend college in Vegas! The history education major is also in her school’s honor society.

Latest Accomplishment: A testament to having reached adulthood, Haldeman is reveling in the simple fact that she now has her own apartment. “After years of always having a roommate, I think all of Vegas can appreciate being able to not need one,” she says.