After interviewing the other cast members, I needed to interview someone who shared my passion for video games. Raychelle was at the top of my list...

Everyone on the show considers themselves a nerd. When did you first identify with being a nerd?

"I first identified with being a nerd in elementary school. I was very passionate about all the things that I loved, for instance, I had Barney hair pieces and outfits, and was not afraid to be decked out in Barney, even though some people would make fun of me. I always just embraced everything I loved, even if I knew people would have mean comments to say about it. I continued being this way throughout my school years with Power Rangers, Pokémon, and other video games. I think that a big part of being a nerd is having that passion and showing it to the world."

That's what I like about you, Raychelle. You aren't afraid of being true to yourself. What interested you about TBS’s King of the Nerds television show?

"I knew Danielle from season 1 of KOTN from a show we did together called The Tester. I watched KOTN S1 because of her, and as I watched, I kept thinking - I could do this, and I want to do this. The challenges looked like a lot of fun, and I actually could do some of the trivia (which is a first for me because I am not always great at trivia), so I just knew I would audition after that."

I didn't watch much of season 1, but I do remember the girl with pink hair. Why did you want to be on this show?

"Honestly, besides the fun challenges and amazing prize money, I just wanted to meet these other nerds. I loved watching seasons 1 and 2, and I just wanted these people to be my friends. I kept thinking that these are my kin and I need them in my life." 

That is how I got drawn into the show. Everyone has a different specialty, and I love good competition. How did you get cast?

"I applied for season 2 and did not make it, so I applied again for season 3. I just made a video trying to show them all of my things and my personality. I think the best thing that I did was leaving my "blooper" moments in the edited video. The "blooper" moments show a genuine side of you, and it worked great with my video. Once they watch the video a few times, if they like it, they will email and set up a Skype interview. My interview (I thought) went wrong between internet issues and my dogs going crazy, but alas.... I was on the show!"

I love your perseverance! I would like to see the blooper video sometime, ha-ha. What was your favorite moment on the show?

"I would have to say that my favorite moment on the show was performing our nerd anthem. I was so proud of what we made and so excited to perform. My heart still pounds when I think about it. The whole show was amazing and the best takeaway is the friends that I have made, but as far as moments go, singing Embrace Your Inner Nerd in front of past seasons and other people was pretty high up there :)"

That was also my favorite moment in the show. The nerd anthems were very well done from both sides. In your intro video, you are quoted as saying “Friendship is Magic”. As a person who values friendships and has an easy time getting along with people, who was your favorite person to work with on the show?

"My favorite person to work with on the show was Kaitlin. She was very direct, which made her very easy to work with. I was a little thrown aback at first, but then realized that she would take direction as well as give it. She was not super into building alliances and "tricking" people, so to say, so it made her easy to trust. As long as I continued to be helpful to her, then she would continue to help me, which was a win-win. I know a lot of people thought her confidence was more like cockiness, but the girl is a phenomenal teammate and great to work with. "

I remember Kaitlin. She had quite a personality but was very smart. Are you still in contact with Kaitlin?

"I talk to everyone who was on the show (including past seasons). I do not see Kaitlin as often as I see others because conventions are not her thing, like they are for most of us. I do still talk to Kaitlin, though, and plan on visiting her at some point!"

I'm glad you are still in contact with everyone! I hope you get to see her soon. I see you are into cosplaying, comics, and anime. Do you have a favorite character you watch or like to dress up as?

"My favorite character that I already cosplay is Princess Celestia because she is so graceful and teaches so many valuable lessons, and I love fur! My favorite character that I would like to cosplay is Lucy from Elfen Lied because I just love that anime and her character so much. That one will be a little while before I make it, due to my wanting to create the vectors as well, and I am not quite sure how I want to do that yet. "

I'm not too familiar with either of those characters. I need a lesson on cosplay, ha-ha. Which is your favorite Con that you went to recently?

"I enjoyed Tekko Con in Pittsburgh. It was anime-oriented and had some great panels and an awesome dance party! I will be going to PAX Prime soon, and that is always a favorite of mine because there are a lot of video game demos and just so much to do in general! DragonCon is also coming up soon, and this is my first time going, so we will see if it tops the charts."

Cool, I’ve never been to a Con before, but would like to go sometime. Ori invited me, and we'll see if I take him up on that offer. Can you tell me about what goes on at a convention?

"Conventions are the best things in the world!! No, but seriously, they are so much fun! Conventions generally have panels which can be about anything - so for example, if you are interested in anime, then Funimation runs panels to show off new animes, answer questions about older animes, etc, etc... Conventions also have a big merch booth room that will have people from all over selling lots of amazing things like hand drawn items, chiseled glass mugs, posters, figurines, clothing, and so on! Also, cons are just like one big party, so there is always some type of dance floor, gaming floor, events after hours, and much more. You should check one out!" 

Party on, Wayne! That sounds like a blast. You made it pretty far in the competition, but unfortunately, you were on the losing end after your elimination at the hands of Lily in a game of Stratego. If you could give it another go, would you change your approach?

"As far as overall gameplay goes, I would keep a pretty similar approach. As far as my specific Stratego nerd-off, I would take a deep breath and not forget the goal! I was doing very well at the beginning of the nerd-off until I just forgot to go for her flag. So, words of wisdom for myself - STAY CALM!!!"

I think you got caught in the moment. Can you share something about yourself that people might not already know?

"Umm, I am a pretty open book, so most people know quite a bit about me.... but one thing that is odd about me is that I am pigeon-toed!" 

Interesting, you were voted into going into your last nerd-off when Ben questioned your skills and knowledge. Where did you go to school and what did you study?

"Well, I went to Cox College of Nursing for 3 years, but I have not finished. Ben was worried about my knowledge in general because we had not discussed much, and I did so well in the first individual challenge." 

I think you made yourself a target by staying quiet. Your Twitter account says that you are from Springfield, Missouri. What is the coolest thing about your hometown?

"My hometown is known for fast food and churches. Those are the 2 things we have, but really, I would say the beautiful countryside is the coolest thing about my town, and lots of caves."

Must be a small town. Is there a Church's Chicken? Just kidding. It must be quite an experience being an actress! I heard that you are taking your acting talents to a horror film. That must be exciting! Tell me more.

"Acting is something that I have always enjoyed doing since I was little. I was a thespian in high school and was in all the school plays. I love theater! I was recently offered to help a friend shoot a horror film - they needed an extra girl to do a few scenes. It was one of the most fun things that I have ever done! I was in a murder scene as well as a few other little shots here and there. I kept breaking out of my hand-ties because I was getting into my character so much, and that was funny."

Maybe this can lead to big things for you? I wish you the best of luck.  I started playing video games when my parents got me and my brother a classic NES back in the '90s. One of our first games was the original Super Mario Bros. Can you tell me a story about how you got into video games?

"Well, I had a classic NES, but I started playing video games when we got an SNES. My brother and I would play Mickey Mania for hours on end and get so mad when we died because there was no save! We played Mario All-Stars, Donkey Kong Country, Mario Paint, Mario RPG, and Sim City. Then, we got an N64 and played the heck outta some Goldeneye and Super Mario 64. With all of that being said, FF7 was the first game to pull me into the world of gaming and made me feel like I was somewhere else (You know, like a book does). After that, games were my world. "

I played a few of those games. I share your pain of no saves from older systems. What games can you see being played today?

"I play a lot on Steam, so games like Don't Starve, Dungeons of Dredmor, and Anna. I also play a little Splatoon (when my friends bring it by because I have not bought it yet). I play Animal Crossing on the DS. Lastly, just a bunch of random games - I love going back and playing older ones, so recently it has been Harvest Moon 64, Chrono Trigger, and a few others."

That's quite a list. It wasn’t common to see female gamers back when I started gaming, but that trend changed after the millennium. I think the introduction of the Wii and party games had a lot to do with that. I knew a few girls in college who would join us for a round of Mario Party on N64. Do you know a lot of female gamers, like yourself, or mostly males?

"I know quite a few girls who game, but of course, I know more males who play. I think there was just a stigma for a while, but it is starting to become more common, which makes me very happy. Gaming is something that everyone can love! A lot of the ladies that I know who play started back in the day, like all of us, though."

It's an escape from the real world. I went to the E3 special feature at a movie theater in my town and saw lots of future titles I’m excited about. One of them is in the new Star Wars game. Are there any future games that you are particularly excited about?

"All I can say here is FFFFFFFFFF777777777 REMAKE!!!!! Sorry, I am a fangirl with that game."

Final Fantasy is something I never got into, but it's very popular. How can people connect with you?

"I am llamalamb on Steam and all social media."