Artist behind Halloween Horror Nights’ Lil’ Boo on the lore of the nervous pumpkin (Ep. 161)

Fans of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights have embraced a nervous little pumpkin that first debuted at the 2017 event. Now featured prominently in merchandise for this year’s HHN by name, Lil’ Boo has become the event’s unofficial mascot. His creator, Emory Alvarado, a transgender Venezuelan-American artist talks with Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice about advocating for independent artists and showing others there is space in the theme park design industry for diverse voices. Meet Lil’ Boo’s creator (:00) Lil’ Boo’s origin story (4:24) Lil’ Boo becomes theme park icon (8:15) Leap to freelance artist (11:43) Creating a path for others (15:15) Giving credit where credit is due (23:15) What’s next for Lil’ Boo (34:04)