Source: Miami Herald
Miami Heat dancer Layla El ignited Heat basketball fans for nearly two years with her moves and scintillating and infectious smile.
Now the saucy (South Florida) Aventura resident is looking to set World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on fire, as one of the six remaining finalists in the $250,000 Diva search competition.
El feels she brings the total package, which separates her from the typical crop of busty blondes and plastic brunettes vying for a year contract in the wordly known WWE.
”You can look at the way I look,” said El, a native of London. “From my curly hair to my skin color and my accent, you can see I stand out. Not only that, I don’t even know if I should say this, but I think I have more talent than the other girls performing-wise. I just think my personality, I’m very hyper, and I just think that just shows on TV.
“I also want it.”
After receiving e-mails on her MySpace page and from a casting director, El went to an audition in Doral in Miami-Dade County under the advice of her trainer. She then traveled to Los Angeles, where she qualified for the finals. She joins Erica Chevillar from Boca Raton as two representatives from South Florida.
El didn’t know what to expect when she imagined what it would be like in WWE and preparing for the competition. She was a fan when she was younger but lost touch with the product because of her busy schedule and lack of television. She was working on cruise ships the past few years.
”I always knew who the superstars were,” said El. “However, I wasn’t as big a fan as I think I should have been. [The competition] has met my expectations just because it’s exciting, and it’s something I want to do. I want to perform, but it has actually gone far and beyond interacting with the fans.
“It’s amazing. WWE fans, I never realized how many fans they really had. I mean I’ve performed in arenas with thousands and thousands of people, but WWE fans are by far more loyal.
“Then there is the rush when you do go out there. It’s always scary because you never know if you’re going to be booed or if you’re going to be cheered. I love every minute of it because I’m on TV and performing. I’ve taken a big step from what I used to do.”
With the Heat bringing the championship home to Miami, El ended her tenure as a dancer on a high note. Her contract with the organization ends in September.
Despite the season ending, Heat fans and her fellow dancers continue to support her in the competition.
”I really didn’t tell the [dancers] at first,” said El. “I kept it really quiet. Then when I finally did tell them and made the announcement, we had two games left at home. Everyone just laughed and cheered. They were saying things like `That is totally you.’
“It was something they had to laugh about because I’m crazy. They know that when they work with me and get to see the insides of everything. They get to see the whole you because we practically spend every single day together. So they were laughing more because they thought I could do really well with this. They’ve been really happy for me and are very supportive.”
While performing as a Heat dancer helped her adjust to live crowds, the Diva-in-training realizes it’s a whole different ball game.
”It’s just a different atmosphere because with the Heat, when you go out there some people like you and some people don’t,” said El. “Some of the fans that come all the time, they get to know who you are. They appreciate that you go out there and perform.
“Here [in WWE] it’s totally different. You’re going to get a reaction no matter what. You are going to get a negative reaction, or you’re going to get a positive reaction. There’s nothing you can do about it. The only thing I think is really different is you have to go out there, talk and show your personality.
“While on the Heat you just go out there and dance. To be honest, with the Heat we have so many talented girls, while with WWE the girls have talent, but they are talented in different areas. It’s all about who is going to stand out, and who wants it more. It’s not necessarily let’s go out and smile. In WWE you have to prove yourself.”
Whether it’s Raw or SmackDown!, El is trying to prove herself. Each week the contestants are on pins and needles because they don’t find out what they are doing till the night before or even the day of a live show. As the fans vote off another contestant each week, the nerves and anticipation begin to mount.
”I think the first week, it’s great because nobody is going to get kicked off,” said El. “The second week you go in there, and people are nervous now, and there is some tension there because you never know when is your time to go. At the moment I can honestly say there isn’t that much cattiness going on. There is definitely tension out there because it is a contest.
“When you put beautiful women together, who have high dreams and are determined. When they want to win this contest and are used to winning at everything they do, there can be static sometimes. I think when it goes further, when we get to two or three girls, I think that is when it’s really going to set in.
“That’s when the tension will really set in, and I think people are probably going to change. As of yet, I’m enjoying every moment and every girl. However, there are certain girls I stick with the most, like I’m very close friends with Erica. We travel together and are both from Florida. I liked her from day one when we first auditioned in Los Angeles. So you kind of find who you like and stick with them.”
El looked to the other WWE divas for their advice on approaching the competition. Among them is SmackDown! Diva Ashley Massaro, who won the contest last year. Massaro is just wrapping up her first year in WWE and signed a three-year contract extension.
”[The WWE superstars] are all very nice and polite, but there are a few that stick out in my mind, who are just awesome,” said El. “Girls like Ashley, Victoria and Lillian Garcia just go out of there way to be nice to you. Honestly, with WWE you have to earn your respect. You can go in there and say hello to people, but you have to earn your respect.
“I think for us, we’re fortunate because we’re coming in and getting fans. We haven’t really earned our spot yet, and that’s how I look at it.
“Maria gave us some words of wisdom not to jump up-and-down in the ring because it bounces and makes the other person jump up. Victoria was very nice. I like listening to her because she gave me some really nice advice.
“Ashley is awesome because she went through it and won the contest. She just said to just be yourself and not pretend to be something your not. I appreciate that because I think that is the best thing you can do. Going in there too fake or trying to be what people want you to be doesn’t work out in the end.”
Since the first week of the competition, El continues to separate herself from the other contestants with her unique combination of athleticism and charismatic personality. She even won the Diva boot camp obstacle course, which gave her immunity from being eliminated for a week.
El is focused on getting the fans to remain behind her and winning.
”The biggest highlight has been hearing the fans call my name when we’re leaving the arenas,” said El. “I think it’s just seeing the fans cheering for me because when I went out there on my first night, before I even spoke, they booed. They actually and physically booed me. I would say 30-percent were cheering me and 70-percent were booing.
“Slowly, but surely after winning the boot camp, showing I have talent and determination and them getting to know me, I feel like I’ve turned it around. The fans absolutely cheer me now, and I think I’m one of the favorites. So I’m slowly building on that. Even being on TV is a great high, but it’s so rewarding to hear the fans cheer for you and wanting you to win.”
Whether it’s interviewing the superstars backstage, managing a WWE superstar or competing in the ring, El wants to do it all. She contends the training is going to be a challenge, but she is ready for it. Even if she doesn’t win the actual competition, El will not let her dream of being a WWE Diva be deterred.
”I’m definitely going to make sure I get a contract,” said El. “I’m planning to win this contest, but if I don’t, I will definitely fight for a contract. They definitely need somebody like me in WWE. I bring a totally new flavor to them, and I think they should definitely hire me.”
• See Layla compete for a WWE contract worth $250,000 in the Diva Search competition on Raw 9 p.m. (ET) Mondays on the USA Network and on SmackDown! 8 p.m. (ET) Fridays on UPN. Fans can vote for Layla on the WWE website or through your cell phone by text messaging Layla at 86946.
Keep in mind standard text messaging rates apply to each text message sent or received. Contact your carrier for pricing plans and details. In addition, a premium text message charge of 99 cents will apply to valid votes/entries received.
You will also be automatically entered into the Diva Search Sweepstakes. A $2,500 cash prize will be awarded each week, and one person will win the grand prize of $25,000. Visit the WWE website for details.
