Exclusive Interview
In August 2005 fans had the opportunity to send in questions for Leyla to answer as part of her RHD Interview. We took the best questions from the fans and mixed them in with some of our own and gave Leyla the opportunity to pick which she'd like to answer… here is the interview.
Congratulations on becoming one of the eight finalists in the 2005 RAW Diva Search and making it to the very end. Did you expect to get that far when you initially applied to be apart of the contest earlier in the year?
Well, as an actress in LA you get send out to alot of auditions...but I had never been to an audition as big as the "2005 Diva Search." There was literally hundreds of girls there but I was confident I had the right stuff to make it this far.
What did your friends and family think when you informed them of your desire to work for the WWE?
My friends back in Toronto thought it was the coolest thing ever. My friends in LA thought I'd get hurt or beat-up and my family has always been supportive of what I do.
You competed in Bikini Boot Camp and ended up being disqualified due to an exposure. What was the story behind this, was it a planned stunt and if so, did you have to get clearance from management?
No way..I'm more creative than that...that was a true "wardrobe malfunction."
Is it safe to say you're a fan of hotdogs?
Absolutely!!!and I ate the real thing...100% beef baby!!! not the soy dog that a certain diva was trying to down.
What was your best personal experience in the WWE during the Diva Search contest?
Being in the ring and performing live in front of the huge crowd was definitely the best. It's such an adrenaline rush for me...I just love performing and I'm not just saying this to be cheesy, but WWE fans are really the best in the world.
Excluding your elimination, what was your worst personal experience in the WWE during the Diva Search contest?
Coach coming up behind me every week during elimination. Did you guys notice that?
Word association, quickly sum up each of the following in a few words:
Alexis: Long gone
Ashley: My successor
Cameron: Nice
Elisabeth: Genuine
Kristal: 0% Body Fat
Simona: Loaded
Summer: Flexible
You made it to the final two in the contest, why do you think fans voted for Ashley over yourself?
Ashley was the only contestant out of all of us (at the time) to have a website. She got alot of e-mails from fans early and just built her fan base quicker than all the rest of the girls.
Christy Hemme recently stated in a Sky Sports Interview that she wanted Ashley to win from the start. Also in a post-RAW WWE.com video from this past Monday, fans saw Christy leaping onto Ashley to congratulate her. Did you ever feel as though Ashley was being favoured by the company and possibly guided on how best to win?
I like to not think that way...But if Ashley was her favorite, I can't do anything about that.
Millions of wrestling fans watch RAW every Monday Night and are invited to vote for their favourite Diva Search Finalist. What would you like to say to the fans that voted for you each week?
Oh my gosh...I want to thank every one and I mean each and every single person who took the time and voted for me and believed in me. You gave me memories that I'll cherish forever.
Were you a fan of pro wrestling prior to this competition and if so, who was your favourite wrestler(s)?
Again..being from Toronto you can't help but be a wrestling fan. My favorite wrestler of all time: Bret Hart! But after meeting all of them in person, I have so many now--I really can't pick a favorite.
Do you still plan on pursuing a career in the WWE or will you be doing something else?
I'm hoping WWE asks me to return...I would love to come back to RAW!
If you were planning on pursuing a career in the WWE would you consider following in the footsteps of Christy Hemme and trying to learn the art of active wrestling?
I like to do it all!
Also if given the chance to compete within World Wrestling Entertainment, what character would you most like to portray?
I like to play all kinds of characters...from the wild, crazy, bad-girl characters, to the sweet, lovable, naiive ones...they're all fun to me.
If the WWE decide to run a 2006 Diva Search, what advice would you give to any readers that might be thinking about applying?
Just "Be Yourself!" (our theme song! LOL)
Christy Hemme is the latest WWE Diva to grace the covers of Playboy Magazine after being approached by the WWE to do the shoot. If you end up working for the WWE and they asked you to take part in a future shoot, would you?
I can't answer that right now.
What would you call your best physical feature?
Without sounding too conceited...my hair, my lips and my teeth.
What kind of workout do you do? And how many hours per week on average do you spend working out?
I try to get in the gym about 3 to 4 times a week and sometimes I don't go for weeks.
Favourite movie?
Of course "Scarface" I also loved "Casino" and anything with Angelina Jolie.
Which Hollywood actress would you love to see play yourself in a bio-pic?
Angelina Jolie.
Favourite television show?
Simpsons...hands down!
Favourite music?
I like all kinds of music, as long it makes me feel good. But I'm really into trance beats.
Are you currently in a relationship and what do you look for in a partner?
No. I like a man who's confident, driven, intelligent and can keep up with me.
If RedHotDivas.com were to take you out for a meal, what would we order?
A nice juicy hot dog! Just kidding...Oyster! (you know what they say about oysters!)
LeylaMilani.com is your latest project. What can fans expect to see in the coming months as your brand new website is unleashed to the World Wide Web?
I'm so excited about it...I finally have a place to talk to all my fans and get feedback. Right now, I'm working on a couple of projects. One, my 2006 Calender which I'm currently shooting. My online store will be up soon and I'll have tons autographed photos and posters on there. Not alot of people know this, but I also sing and I'm working on putting out my first single which will be on my site pretty soon too!
A final word association, quickly sum up each of the following in a few words:
Vince McMahon: A great businessman!
Stephanie McMahon: One classy lady.
Triple H: One lucky man.
Hulk Hogan: A wrestling legend and the nicest wrestler in person.
Shawn Michaels: Screwed Bret.
Trish Stratus: The ultimate Diva...too bad I didn't meet her.
Lita: One tough chick.
Christy Hemme: Fireball!
The Coach: Brutal to me.
And finally... Earl Hebner: Got his karma from a Canadian chick!
Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
RULING THE WORLD! (kidding) I'll probably be laying by the ocean in the Caribbean or somewhere tropical like that, sipping on a strawberry Daiquiri and wearing nothing but a smile as I look back at all of this.
Any message that you would like to send out to everyone reading this interview?
I just want everyone to know that I really worked hard each week and really tried my best to show the fans different sides of me and even though I didn't win the title, I had an amazing experience and I just hope I'll return back to WWE to entertain all of you. Thank you for all your support.
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