We sat down with Liam – celebrity cosplayer, writer and mental health advocate – ahead of the release of his debut book, A Wave To Ride.
Firstly, where did the name ‘Miscellaneous’ come from?
My last name was ‘Martin’ but I always felt foreign from the rest of my family – kinda like a black sheep. I decided on the name ‘Miscellaneous’ because of its indifference and meaning; composed of members or elements of different kinds, which I kinda feel like I am – bits and pieces of everything from here and there.
What have you been up to lately?
I’ve kept a low profile for the last year, working internally on myself and my aspirations for the future. I have had to remove myself from a number of outwardly influences that I found affected my core purpose and understanding towards myself and my ambitions. I recently took a trip to Canada, New York and Los Angeles to
re-centre my perspective and work on my book from afar.
You call yourself “The Walmart version of your favourite celebs”.What process goes in to recreating a famous celebrity photo?
I try and scope the web for a photoshoot that is topical, followed by a photo that appropriately fits my budget and agenda for what I am trying to portray. I will then use whatever I can find around the house or $2 dollar shops, in order to replicate the photo as best as possible. I class myself as the ‘Walmart’ version, as I always consider how much these celebs would have spent on their outfits and accessories, in comparison to my interpretation which is done on a
shoe-string budget.
You’ve been very vocal about mental health, your battle with depression, and the toxicity of social media. How’s it all going?
Right now, I am in a state of chaotic beauty. My life is full of uncertainty and confusion. We are transitioning into the winter months, which I find always influences my moods and feelings. I am taking each day as it comes and embracing my feelings and emotions. Overall, I am content with where I need to be in this world.
Which person, living or dead, do you admire most?
I hold lots of admiration for everything around me! I try not to heighten my love or admiration over anyone else I meet. Everyone holds forms of difference and perspectives that can teach us something. I love meeting people because I find myself enchanted at the diversity that surrounds me! I love hearing about people’s lives, and in a sense, there is something about everyone you encounter that is admirable if you look hard enough.
What does 2017 have in store for you?
2017 has already exceeded my expectations! I have travelled half way across the world for six weeks, spent my 20th birthday in the depths of New York City, and come home to the comforts of New Zealand. From here, I am slowly putting together all of the pieces for my book (it’s like a crazy jigsaw puzzle at this point) and preparing myself for a tour with Voices Of Hope, where we will be touring around various schools in Australia and New Zealand for two weeks at the end of June. The rest of the year is a mystery which I will sit back and watch unfold.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement (so far!)?
I used to think my greatest achievements were outward forms of success: fame, acclaim and international appraise, and all that came with those elements. But through my experiences along my journey so far, I can honestly state that the greatest achievement is being able to wake up each day and pursue a truer and more authentic version of myself. I pride myself on my ability to be able to pursue my own venture away from mass approval and understanding – something I wish more people had the desire to do.
Do you have any motto(s) that you live by?
As a writer, I find my find constantly in a swirl of quotations and inspirational transcripts. But something that’s really etched in my mind today is “To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone elses”.
Anything else you’d like to tell our express readers?
In moments where you feel misunderstood by those around you, always remind yourself of the light that shines within. Your uniqueness and own personal journey has the ability to influence so many people around you – with that blessing comes responsibility! Always fight to be your most authentic self in order to teach others that they can be too.
