This weekend the Supanova Pop Culture Expo arrives in Brisbane.
One of the convention’s guests is Austin St John, who was the original Red Power Ranger from the early 1990s television show, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.
How did you become the Red Ranger?
I auditioned against thousands of others over many auditions, and with a lot of help was successful.
The Power Ranger suits; were they comfortable to wear? Sure, it was spandex but it was really hot in the summers aaannnddd there was no hiding anything private... Later jock straps helped. The helmet was hot, hard to see and breath and made fighting complicated! No room for mistakes.
What was the fandom like back at the start of the show?
ABSOLUTELY INSANE! NO WAY TO DESCRIBE IT!!!!
Do you still own your own Red Ranger suit? Do you ever put it on?
No, I may wear one again someday!
The strangest Power Ranger-related fan request you ever had? To sign some very personal body parts... Pick one... :)
Being a part of such an iconic kids series, do you feel privileged to have been a part of such a successful franchise?
Of course, I wouldn't change it if I could. I've lived a hundred of the coolest lives in and after the show!
Have you had any Power Rangers reunion parties? Not ones I would admit toooooo??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Are you close with any of the other, original Rangers?
Jones (original Black Power Ranger) is my greatest friend from the era but Yost, Ashley, Burise, Sutherland, Shepard, Cahil, Azim and Copon are fast rising!!! Some others that I have met too.
How has/ did being the Red Ranger affect/ shape your life?
It left me a neverending feeling that I always have to make the most of everything. I do and excel to the highest levels to live up to the standards my character set.
When it comes to Halloween and dress-up parties, how often do you see Power Rangers costumes, even to this day?
Everywhere still!!
You've began to do more fan conventions this year; how enjoyable have you found it, returning to a character/ show that was one of the biggest kids shows in the early '90s?
I find myself in a state of disbelief at the love still there for my character. I am blown away at the stories that the fans share with me at every convention. The survival stories I have heard because people found strength in my character: "I didn't commit suicide because I wanted to be strong like you". HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! What do you say to that? So many other heart-wrenching stories. My mind is blown!
Your day job these days is as a firefighter in the Washington, DC area; correct?
I am a National Registry Paramedic with Tactical Casualty Combat Care training who worked in the DC area for 12 years. I just came back from four years in the Middle East attached to military operations in support of Active Duty Personnel as well as DOD contractors during the war.
Austin St John aka the original Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger will be a special guest at Supanova, which takes place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on 28th, 29th & 30th November.
