Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea Sunshine
Hi Rhea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Even though I was born and raised in New England, I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World since I was an infant. My parents and I would take a trip down almost every year, and that cultivated a deep love of theme parks within me.
As an only child, I developed an extremely powerful imagination, which is one of the reasons immersive experiences resonate so strongly for me. I love to feel like I’m part of another world, and theme parks allow me that escapism!
As I grew older, I developed a panic disorder, PTSD, BPD, and other mental handicaps. I’m currently disabled and unable to work, and my favorite way to cope with my disabilities is by visiting theme parks and engaging with all of the wonders they offer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I mentioned my disabilities, all of which are anxiety and panic related, and those really stopped me in my tracks for a while. There were a couple of years where I couldn’t leave my home, there were other years when I could not drive, sometimes I was unable to be anywhere by myself; it was really hard to get to and be in the places that used to feel safe to me.
Thanks to therapy, medications, and a lot of really incredible friends, I am able to visit theme parks again! It helps me to feel like I’m part of something. It helps me feel normal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself a fashion icon. I can’t help it; I’m a Leo. I love bounding as certain characters from film, television, video games, and theme parks. I am known for outrageous outfits that often push the limits of fashion. I make bold statements. I’m impossible to miss in a crowd.
Makeup and fashion go hand-in-hand, and I am passionate about pulling a complete look together from head to toe. I’m most proud of how intricate my outfits can become. I love the little details, the things that someone might miss at first glance.
I once did a Jaws inspired look for a drag contest, and it was easily my favorite outfits I’ve ever done. All of the effects were practical, and I was really proud of that. The blood, the eyes, the teeth – everything in the photo was actually on me. I didn’t use photo editing.
That’s what sets me apart from a lot of other people in theme park fashion; I go a little too far. Sometimes I’ve been told I need to tone it down, and I’ve actually had to change in order to get into the parks on occasion, but it’s always worth it. I’d rather be too much than not enough.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely take fashion risks, but those are about the only risks I take. As a person with a panic disorder, I keep things pretty lowkey. I don’t ride a lot of rides, and I mostly just vibe out at the parks, but my outfits are always outrageous. I was told multiple times during Halloween Horror Nights that I had to change part of my outfit because it was “too much,” usually because of particularly heavy makeup or some sheer portion of the fit. But that’s okay.
I like taking those kinds of risks. It’s why I always keep a backup outfit in my car.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wreck.it.rhea/
