America On the shimmering Times Square, Maria Bega and her colleagues transformed into princess Anna or a monster to make a living.

Bega, a 32-year-old Peruvian woman, is one of dozens of immigrants of Latin American descent who are trying to make a living by transforming into popular cartoon characters amid the vibrant center of New York

In the form of monsters from the children's television program Sesame Street, or superheroes like Batlan and Hulk, they pose for photos with tourists to make money, competing with the girls topless. paint painted throughout the body and a semi-naked cowboy played the guitar.

Under the bright lights and grandiose shops, this famous intersection is a symbol of the city that never sleeps and the hidden opportunities where dreams are made. However, for Bega, reality is more than a nightmare. She said she sometimes earns only 20 USD a day.

"You come here to waste your time, to freeze and sometimes not earn enough to eat," Bega said in Spanish, wearing a blue dress with braided braids.

Bega got into this job thanks to a friend and colleagues from Mexico, Colombia, Dominica, Guatemala and Ecuador. Many people bring costumes from their hometown because of the cheaper purchase price, or buy online in the US with the price usually up to 200 USD. They do not need an operating license.

"Some people are a bit uncomfortable but most of them are good. They come here to make a living like everyone else," said Dave Duke, 62, a tourist from Kentucky, when taking photos of his wife with him. who disguised themselves as the Statue of Liberty.

They say making money is becoming more difficult after some tourists accuse them of being harassed and harassed, causing local newspapers to write a series of articles about "creepy masquerade".

In September, an impersonator of an Elmo monster was arrested after being accused of sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl.

"Because of this, the police came to annoy us. They barely let us work," Bega said. She is doing another job in the evenings to raise money for her 2 and 10 year-old children.

Jose, from Mexico, who plays another Elmo, thinks that some self-helpers are affecting others. "Children used to rush to me, but now they read that Elmo is a child molester and doesn't dare to come any closer," he explained.

Nearby, Robert Burck was playing melodies on his guitar in the appearance of a cowboy wearing underwear only. The 48-year-old famously nicknamed "naked cowboy" has been working in Times Square for 20 years and makes about $ 150,000 in tips a year.

"I am absolutely delighted with the fact that I am working in the middle of a group of thieves," he joked, as the CD sellers hurriedly greeted visitors.

An estimated 450,000 people cross the Times Square every day, but some New Yorkers always try to find a different path if possible. In the "Why New Yorkers don't like Times Square" discussion on the Quora Q&A site, locals cited reasons such as crowded, tight-cut restaurants, "fake" stores. for visitors and annoying masquerades.

The Times Square Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports local businesses, wants to improve this famous intersection by tightening management of makeup workers. They were opposed to the phenomenon of masquerading as taking advantage of tourists not paying attention to putting their arm around them and then others rushing to stand and take photos and demand payment.

"Times Square is always a little crazy. It's capitalism," said Tim Tompkins, president of the Union. "But what we oppose here is that their livelihoods do not always come from tourists' willingness."

Since 2016, the New York government has mandated that people working on makeup in Times Square may operate only in certain areas, but there are those who are still outside the permitted area.

The Alliance believes that better management of the city officials by dressing up will make Times Square more family-friendly.

"We are working hard to create the best experience for those who have the opportunity to visit this place," said Mr. Tompkins.

Times Square is nicknamed the "Crossroads of the World". There, Bega found her standing at her own intersection too. "This job is unsustainable. I don't know if I can continue like this anymore," she said before running to her friend who turned into a Pooh bear.