After profiling several fellow cast members, I sat down with Raychelle from Season 3 of TBS’s King of the Nerds. Known for her unfiltered passion, love of classic gaming, and active involvement in cosplay culture, Raychelle brought a relatable and heartfelt energy to Nerdvana...

When did you first identify as a nerd?

Elementary school. I was extremely passionate about the things I loved—I had Barney hair accessories and outfits and wore them proudly, even when people made fun of me. I carried that same unbothered enthusiasm through school with Power Rangers, Pokémon, and video games. Being a nerd is all about having that genuine passion and sharing it with the world without fear of judgment.

What drew you to King of the Nerds, and how were you cast?

I actually knew Danielle from Season 1 through a gaming reality series we both competed in called The Tester. Watching her on King of the Nerds, I realized I wanted to take on the challenges and meet people who shared my interests.

I applied for Season 2 and didn't make it, so I re-applied for Season 3. In my audition video, I left in all my blooper moments to showcase my real personality. That earned me a Skype interview—which was chaotic with internet glitches and my dogs barking in the background—but it worked, and I landed a spot in the cast!

What was your favorite moment from the show?

Performing our team's nerd anthem, "Embrace Your Inner Nerd." Standing up there performing in front of guest judges and past cast members was incredible. Beyond the performance itself, the absolute best takeaway from the entire experience has been the lifelong friendships made on set.

Who was your favorite teammate to work with?

Kaitlin. She was very direct, which made working with her seamless. She wasn't interested in backstabbing or secret alliances; if you helped her, she helped you. People sometimes mistook her confidence for cockiness, but she was a phenomenal, trustworthy teammate. I stay in touch with everyone from the show and look forward to visiting her in the future!

What draws you to cosplay and conventions?

My favorite character to cosplay is Princess Celestia from My Little Pony because of her grace and lessons. Down the line, I’d love to cosplay Lucy from Elfen Lied, which will require custom vector work.  I love attending events like Tekko in Pittsburgh and PAX Prime. Conventions are essentially giant, welcoming celebrations—filled with community panels, artist alleys, gaming floors, and late-night events where fans can just connect and be themselves.

How did you handle your elimination in the Stratego challenge?

I would keep a similar overall gameplay strategy if I did it again, but during that specific Stratego nerd-off, I should have taken a deep breath. I started off strong against Lily, but I lost focus and forgot to make a direct push for her flag. My main takeaway was simple: stay calm under pressure!

What is something surprising about your background that viewers might not know?

I studied nursing at Cox College for three years before pivoting toward media and creative pursuits. Outside of reality TV, I've always loved theater and acting; I recently played a victim in an indie horror film for a friend, where I kept accidentally breaking out of my prop hand-ties during the scene because I got so into character!

How did you get into video games, and what are you playing today?

My brother and I started on the Super Nintendo, sinking endless hours into Mickey Mania, Donkey Kong Country, and Super Mario RPG. But Final Fantasy VII was the turning point—it pulled me into a story-driven world the way a great book does.  Today, I play a lot on Steam—titles like Don't Starve, Dungeons of Dredmor, and Anna—along with retro classics like Harvest Moon 64 and Chrono Trigger. It’s also great seeing more female gamers entering the space; gaming is something everyone should feel welcome to enjoy.

Connect with Raychelle:

X / Twitter: @llamalamb

← Back to Portfolio Hub: Explore more profile writing, content strategy, and editorial case studies on the Work & Strategy page.