A conversation with NOPESISTER’S clothing CO-FOUNDER, actor, and comedian Johanna Cosgrove
Johanna Cosgrove (She/Her) is the co-founder of NOPESISTERS, a social enterprise fashion company based in Wellington. This multi-talented gal is also an actor, comedian and host! We had a conversation about her about her first CD, her favourite acting roles and what she envisions for the future of the performing arts industry.
Kia ora Johanna, how are you doing?
Kia ora! I’m good! Narrowly avoiding slipping into the lockdown void by walking the streets of central Tāmaki for literally hours a day.
What was the first CD you ever bought?
Ok this is tied between American Idiot (Deluxe Edition) by Greenday and Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz. I painstakingly saved up to purchase both albums and then meticulously transferred them onto my Ipod Mini. I was 12 and looked like a total nerd (transition lenses? Low ponytail? jowls?) but was clearly an advanced emo with immaculate taste.
Aside from cooking stellar flatbread, do you have any other secret talents (or useless talents)?
I write poetry! I’m currently working on my debut collection in collaboration with artist Darien Fisher. I’m also a mean pub quiz participant and can play the saxophone. This year while on tour in Australia I talked a bartender into giving me two free bottles of wine to take away so that's probably my most alarming life skill.
NOPESISTERS is a social enterprise fashion company, making dope stuff for a good cause - what more could you want! Have you had any interesting stories/conversations sparked from wearing your apparel?
So many! It’s been an incredible ride over these last 5 years! For example, when we first released the “Nope” tee it was before the #MeToo movement and advocacy around consent education was burgeoning but now it's been normalised to the point where even high schools are changing their practices. It's amazing. Conversations around breast cancer, consent, body positivity, menstruation, arts advocacy, sustainable climate justice and mental health have truly been elevated into the mainstream so I guess we’ve just been lucky to have played a tiny role in aiding all of those causes and donating money to organisations who really do the on the ground mahi.
What do you envision for the future of NOPESISTERS?
After 5 years, my sister and I are ready for some big shifts! Watch this space!
Aside from being the Co-founder of NOPESISTERS, you are also an actor/comedian and host! What has been your favourite role to date?
It was amazing to take my own solo show (Aunty) to a major venue in the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019. A full house and a standing ovation for a bogan queen from NZ? A dream come true!
My two most crack up roles were:
1) when I played Penny Buxton on Shortland Street for 2 weeks. I had this insane push up bra and went on a date with Marty Walker (Scott Smart) where I ordered “a bucket of chardonnay” and asked him no questions. He then pashed Nicole by the rubbish bins and I left Ferndale.
2) A woman giving birth in a waterfall in Baby Done. Mathew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) had to watch this on repeat for several hours. Hectic.
COVID-19 has tremendously impacted the performing arts industry. What do you see for the future of the industry?
Covid has totally decimated the live performance sector. It's been horrifying to watch not only thousands of dollars of income slip away from our community but also our projects! Our babies!
I am really gutted that there hasn’t been adequate accessible support provided by the government to independent artists. The sector is in dire straits. We’ve been in lockdown for 8 weeks in Tāmaki already and it looks like we’ve still got a while to go.
Last year the “the arts are precious” was being bandied about and it looked like there was finally going to be a shift in the way the NZ public values and engages with art but it seems to have absolutely slipped everyone's minds this year? Concerning!!! We need a full system upheaval!!
Myself and two other independents (Sam Snedden and Alice Canton) have created a survey for other independent artists to have their say!
Lastly, when it comes to supporting local, what are your favourite spots?
I’m truly blessed to have lived in extremely close proximity to Karangahape Road for (mostly) 4 years now! My favourites are NiceTouch Massage, Daily Daily, Open (fka Eight Thirty), Baby G Burger, Bestie, Cocos Cantina, Cotto, Celeste, Everyday Wines, Madame George and Peach Pit.
Naked Accounting Testimonial
I’m absolutely obsessed? With Naked Accounting? My beautiful and talented friend Lucy Suttor (NiceTouch Massage, Dick Move) recommended them to me and the experience was life changing. For someone who can barely make an excel spreadsheet, taxes have always been VERY daunting and Naked Accounting made the process so simple and straightforward. Their ethos around supporting their clients and community is also wonderful! Shot Naked Accounting, you guys rule.