When I was living in L.A., first of all, I had actually tried out or submitted to be on 'Tough Enough' when I was living in L.A. and then I ended up getting, like, a few call backs, but because I had just moved out there for the Lakers, I just felt like I couldn't have done both.

When I first got my ring name as Carmella, I knew I was just going to do whatever I could to create this over-ridiculous, over-the-top character that would just help me get my face, and I don't even know what I'm trying to say, but just get me out there and just show, like, 'OK, wow, we need to pay attention to this girl because she has something.'

I was a dancer and didn't ever think I could become a female wrestler, but here I am and doing it.

I love performing, and I was a dancer and then worked in the NFL and NBA, and I loved being in front of the crowd.

My dad did some work for WWE in the early '90s, so I grew up watching and being in and around it. I never, ever thought it was something that I could do.

After starting off in NXT and then getting here to 'SmackDown Live,' all I ever wanted to do was to create history and be a part of the women's revolution.

I really want to show women that it is OK to have a career and put that - not necessarily first, but to put it out there. You can do it all. Is it going to be hard? Yes. Is it going to be worth it? Of course.

When you sign up for a reality show, you have to put your personal life out there.

It's so fun because the Carmella you see on 'SmackDown Live' is so different to me. It's great to be able to portray this character in a way that I never would in real life.

I'm honored to be a part of 'Total Divas' and show the world who Carmella is, not only on 'SmackDown Live' but in real life.

I just feel so lucky and fortunate to be a part of all these 'first-evers.' Now it's getting to a point where we don't even have to say the 'first-ever' or anything like that because it's just become the norm. Before, it was, 'Oh my gosh, the women are the main event of 'Smackdown' tonight.' And now it's, 'The women are the main event.'

I would love to see The IIconics become the first women tag team champions.

Anytime you're partnered with a guy in wrestling, it's exciting and different. Having James Ellsworth by my side for a while, that got people talking.

Being a manager for Enzo and Cass in NXT was great. I got a lot of experience with doing that.

I like doing my own thing, and I like being partnered with somebody.

Nowadays, women are looked at as equal to the men when it comes to competing, and I think that's a really cool message to send to little girls and show them that whatever they want to do, they can set their mind to it and make it happen.

If I could have any tag team partner, I would choose Big E.

Bayley's my best friend. We've been friends since NXT. It sucks because she's on 'Raw' and I'm on 'SmackDown,' but we still talk every single day, and we're really good friends.

There are obviously a lot of negative connotations that go along with being a Diva. But to me, being a Diva is someone who takes care of herself, that looks fabulous, is always on point with her fashion, and doesn't care what anybody thinks.

I think you can look good and still be a champion and still fight and still be the best at what I do.

There's nothing wrong with being a Diva. If it's because I take care of myself and look good, then I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

I just love sneakers. When I first started wrestling, I was wrestling in boots, and I felt like I was trying too hard to play a wrestler. I just wanted to be myself. So when I started wearing sneakers, I felt so much better.

When you're genuinely having fun and enjoying yourself, people can feel that, and they want to have a good time with you.

If the fans are making a noise and reacting, then you're doing a good job.