Exclusive Interview with Diva Search's Amy Weber; News on backstage catfight
Submitted by Ben Johnson on Friday, August 20, 2004 at 10:44 PM EST





Exclusive Interview With WWE Diva Search Contestant Amy Weber
Interview Conducted On Friday, August 20, 2004
Interviewer: Ben Johnson

LOP conducted a shorter interview with Amy several weeks back. Check the news archive for that interview.

Amy Weber, actress and model, graciously agreed to sit down for an in-depth interview with Ben Johnson. Unlike most of her recent interviews, Ben added a different spin by providing the questions from a wrestling journalist's point of view. Mixing fan questions (as well as his own) with his unique interview style, Amy answered each question truthfully, and wasn't afraid to speak up, mixing in a sense of intelligence and wit.

Q: There are six divas left in the competition, all great looking and seemingly very deserving. Why should fans pick up the phone each week and vote for you?
A: I feel as though I am the one Diva who needs the least amount of grooming in order to entertain the WWE fans.

Q: What kind of knowledge of wrestling did you have before the competition? Were you a fan, or was this generally your first time being exposed to the business?
A: I became a fan in the Nineties during the Monday Night Wars and it was total entertainment for me. Now, after traveling with RAW, I am very aware of what the wrestlers go through to entertain the fans and I have an incredible amount of respect for them.

Q: Many wrestling fans, including WWE wrestler Matt Hardy, have spoken out against this competition. In modern times, as I'm sure you know, many WWE "divas" are now wrestling and striving to be more than just eye candy for the male fans. If you win, do you have any desire to get in the ring and risk injury to put on a show for WWE's viewers?
A: If I were to do anything in an immediate fashion, it would be similar to what Stacy Keibler does, however, if WWE feels as though I can entertain the fans in a different capacity, I would make sure that I got the proper training in order to get in the ring and do a great job entertaining the fans. I wouldn't want to do something half-assed. I would never assume that I could just hop in the ring and do what a "Gail Kim" could do.

Q: On that note, the WWE schedule alone is very demanding and requires dedication to wrestling. Not everyone can do it, and many have left the business due to the schedule. Are you at all worried about what you might endure as a WWE diva, in terms of travel and overall workload?
A: I love the pace of WWE. Several years ago I was shooting two shows at one time, literally working 7 days a week. I get crazy if I'm not going 100 mph.

Q: You're very accomplished in your career, having appeared in nearly twenty films and various primetime TV shows. Someone made the point that Carmella is likely only in this competition to add another line to her resume. With all of your accomplishments, why does that statement not apply to you?
A: WWE has become a viable form of television entertainment week in and week out. Working for WWE is another way for me to entertain people - which is what I love to do. The fans are some of the most loyal and devoted fans of any avenue of sports and entertainment. It is instant gratification for me. If you do a movie or television show, you don't get to interact with the fans.

Q: You're most likely not after the money, so what is the main reason you really WANT this contract?
A: I realized several years ago how short life can potentially be and I was apprehensive entering this contest, but after traveling with WWE for several weeks now, I can't imagine not being a part of it. The reason I became an actress is that I wanted to make people laugh or smile or even give them a reason to forget about how hard life can be. When I see the emotions that WWE brings out in people and how much the fans enjoy the shows - I want to be a part of that.

Q: Because of your huge resume, WWE will not be one of your only accomplishments. After the end of your one year contract, do you anticipate considering remaining with WWE if they're interested in keeping you on the payroll?
A: If the fans have accepted me and I am doing a good job, then why would I want to leave? I don't put boundaries on my career and I've learned to never say never!

Q: I mentioned that some fans are speaking out against this competition. Well, firstly, do you have any worries about getting fan respect, should you take the title. And, do you fear any potential lockerroom resentment and backlash, since your job, while seemingly cushier than most wrestlers, also comes with a higher salary than the average wrestler?
A: Of course I worry about respect and resentment. A lot of these people have dedicated their lives to doing this as a chosen profession. If I were them, I would feel a little bit of resentment as well, but hopefully if I do a good job and prove to people that there is more to me than meets the eye, then I feel that they will be more willing to accept me into the locker room. I feel that many of the girls in the contest have something legitimate to offer but I feel that people are focusing on contestants that may be disinterested in being on the show and really have nothing to offer but a pretty face - this focus embodies the main reason for the discontent for the Diva Search. I hope the fans see what I have to offer. Much like The Rock was given a chance to be a Hollywood actor and ran with it, if given the chance, I'm going to run with this as well.

Q: You've definitely met some of the current WWE divas and wrestlers. What have they been like? Have you made any friends within the business?
A: The wrestlers that I have personally had a chance to interact with have made me feel at home. Victoria, Trish, The Hurricane, Nidia, Stacy, Jazz, Coach and Stephanie McMahon have all been very kind and helpful to me personally.

Q: From what we've seen, you've tried to remain somewhat dignified in most of the segments, even though they are, by definition, silly. WWE has been known to run really outrageous and silly angles with the divas, whether female wrestlers or mere interviewers. Will you be able to adopt more of a silly and goofy persona if a WWE angle calls for it?
A: Have you seen "Son of the Beach?"

Q: And, what is your general reaction to some of the segments WWE has used in the competition, including the Diva Dodgeball game?
A: Diva Dodgeball is by far the most fun thing that I have gotten to do so far! I came up with a plan to not put all of our efforts into the rehearsal in order to trick the other Divas into believing that we were weak. I had been practicing the week before we flew to Summerslam. When it came time to play for real, we let it rip and took them by surprise. I was worried about Jazz and Gail Kim, but we managed to get both of them out.

Q: Sources close to the situation have told me that most of the contestants get along really well, in sister-like fashion. After this contest is all said and done, do you see yourself keeping in touch with your fellow competitors?
A: I've maintained a relationship with some of the girls that have already been cut and plan to stay in touch with several more. We get along as well as anyone competing against one another could.

Q: The wrestling atomosphere is unlike any other realm of entertainment. What has the experience of going out in front of a screaming wrestling crowd meant to you thus far?
A: It has been amazing. There is almost an energy that runs out of the crowd and unlike anything else that I have ever experienced.

Q: How has your perception of the wrestling business changed since making regular RAW appearances?
A: I have a much better understanding of the hard work that goes into making the show happen. The crew works non-stop to make sure that everything is where it needs to be and the wrestlers give their heart into each and every match. I know what it is like to do a regular television show having worked on many, but this is like nothing else that I have ever experienced. I have a newfound respect that is hard to put into words.

Q: Sable, who recently parted ways with WWE, gave a very candid interview to a newspaper where she spoke about sexism within WWE, and how women need looks to get hired, while men are hired based on talent. Do you feel the Diva Search justifies those claims?
A: I don't know the process or parameters that WWE uses to select people. For my career, I have been expected to look good and entertain people. It is kind of to be expected with this contest since it is called "Diva search." It isn't Tough Enough. I think even the male stars are expected to have some sort of flair in order to portray who they are in the ring.

Q: WWE, as you know, scripts almost all of its televised content. Are you totally certain that there is no fixing involved with this contest?
A: We are all coming into a contest under the impression that it is a legitimate contest being decided by the fans. The challenge structure itself is scripted last minute with the exception of the Diva Dodgeball game, but our promos and reactions to the challenges are real. We weren't told that Kamala was going to be there, only that we would be required to seduce a former wrestler.

Q: It has come to my attention that you have spoken up quite a bit against Carmella DeCesare, and recently got into a heated argument with her backstage over your shoot comments from RAW. Can you enlighten us on what happened between the two of you?
A: I was a fan of wrestling before this contest and now have an incredible amount of newfound respect for the wrestlers, fans and the crew of WWE. When I was given the opportunity to speak out about who I want to vote off, I told the honest truth. Carmella couldn't stand the fact that the cat was out of the bag. There is an incredible amount of disrespect shown by her towards the wrestlers and fans. She had told one of the wrestlers that she was going to "kick my ass" and when she came in and confronted me - I shut her down. I asked her if she really wanted to start sh*t with me and she walked out of the door. She also screamed about how stupid the contest was anyway.

Q: Also, Carmella is not only rumored to be WWE's internal choice for the winner, but according to a source close to the divas, receives pay for each appearance, something you apparently do not receive. Firstly, can you verify these statements, and if they're true, do you feel it creates a hurdle for you and the four other women?
A: Since I am not a representative of WWE, I cannot comment on these things.

Q: Do you feel that your comments about Carmella will cause fans, who undoubtedly liked her going into the show, to vote her off. Or, do you feel it might be more of a sympathy thing, and in effect, give Carmella a boost? I only ask because, and if you're not familiar that's fine, on American Idol, it seems that when fans feel the show is weighed against their favorites (John and Jasmine on this season), they tend to vote for them out of rebellion.
A: If people understand the truth that was stated in the promos, I sincerely doubt that the real WWE fans would vote for someone who is not interested in them or the show.

Q: Now, to move away from the negativity, can you give us one positive quality about the other five contestants?
A: Christy has spunk, Maria is very sweet, Tracie is very independent and strong willed, Joy has been easy to get along with and I hope I'm not forgetting anyone.

Q: While we definitely hope this doesn't happen, if you do get eliminated, who do you want your fans and supporters to throw their support behind?
A: I think everyone is very deserving and if I were gone, the fans should vote for who they are entertained by.

Q: There have been very edgy WWE storylines involving women, including implied rape, kidnapping, and even the recent storyline with Kane and Lita, which while obviously not totally impossible in the everyday world, promotes "sleeping around to get a favor done" and "premarital pregnancy." Do you have any limitations as to how far you want to go with an edgy storyline?
A: I trust creative to come up with something that works well with whatever character or storyline I happen to be working with at the time. WWE is still family television so it can't go too far or get too crazy.

Q: You were named one of the sexiest women in the world, and certainly have male wrestling fans talking about. If you win, you can bet male fans, including many teenage boys, are going to be gushing over your pictures on a daily basis. Does being a sex symbol come with any infringments on your comfort, or are you generally okay with it?
A: The image that I am paid to project is being sexy and for the most part, the fans understand that and don't cross any boundaries. Every now and then you get the occasional freak show and you learn how to deal with it.

Q: A bit of a fan interest question, if you could work with any male or female wrestler in an angle for WWE, who would you choose and why?
A: I would love to work with Jericho and Trish because they seem to have great situational skills that I could work off of.

Q: The WWE website mentions that you dropped out of college to pursue entertainment. Looking back on the situation, did you make the right move?
A: I've never looked back. It was definitely the right decision for my life.

Q: If you do not walk away with the title, what's next for Amy Weber?
A: Well, let's hope that doesn't happen, but if I don't win, then I will finish a movie that I produced and am starring in as well as finish the two books that I am almost done writing. I will then go into the recording studio and record my first R&B CD.

Q: Out of all the projects you've taken part in, which was the most enjoyable?
A: They all have their own merit, but I can tell you that I am having the time of my life right now with the WWE.

Q: Ten years ago, is this something you would have expected to be doing?
A: Not at all, but that is why life is so cool. You just have to make sure that you are enjoying the journey.

Q: So, what's your relationship status?
A: I am single for the first time in years!

Q: Finally, how can fans get more information about you and do you have any last comments for them?
A: You can always go to www.amyweber.net to find out more about me and I really hope the fans can see that I genuinely want to be a part of the WWE. I feel that I have a lot to offer with an extensive background in the Entertainment Industry. I am the one Diva who doesn't look at this as a contest but as a way to be a part of the greatest show on TV. Vote for Amy toll free 1-866-WWE-1329!

Once again, thank you to Amy for agreeing to sit down for this interview!



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