Page 18 - Demo

18 || CELEBRITY MAGAZINE || MAY-JUNE 2017You grew up in an American Christian missionary family in Russia, tell us about your family and how they influence your career?My Dad has told me the sky was the limit for my entire life. He said that if I work hard and have a positive attitude, I can be anything I want to be. I had learning disabilities and I couldn%u2019t read until I was 9 years old. My mom would encourage me to keep trying to read even if I could only read kindergarten books -- she would say it is never too late to learn and one day I will be able to read. Sure enough, at 9 years old I started to read books that kids my age were reading. Still to this day, I read slower than most people, but I have learned to not compare myself to others because I am on my own journey. These values and ideas instilled discipline and made me resilient. In my career, whenever there have been set backs, I always remind myself that the slow and steady wins the race. It%u2019s not a sprint, it%u2019s a marathon.What motivates you every day to keep pushing to be better, especially in your industry when you already considered in most people%u2019s mind as a %u201cperfect body and health%u201d?My motivation is being better than I was yesterday. I am extremely competitive, and I%u2019ve finally made peace with myself that there will always be someone prettier, smarter, stronger, faster, younger, wiser & better than me, so I compete against myself. Can I lift a little heavier than yesterday? Can I educate my mind & learn something new every day? Can I love myself in midst of a judgmental society & be grateful for all my circumstances? These are the things that motivate me.Best advice for aspiring WWE Superstars?Work harder than everyone else, be grateful, stay true to yourself, listen, be creative, try new things, be courageous, be resilient and follow your own path no matter what people think.How did reality TV impact you%u2019re relationship? Do you miss your privacy?I%u2019m an open book. I have always been known for my unfiltered honesty. I wanted to share with people my life because we are all imperfect, but it is what we do with our flaws and failures that will determine the life that we live. If I can help encourage one person that is watching Total Divas that they are not alone, I feel it is worth all the failures & sacrifices I have made in life.What%u2019s the most dramatic thing that you experienced on Total Divas set, last season?Definitely the Bulgarian wedding! You will have to tune in for the episode. It got really dramatic -- I almost left Bulgaria and didn%u2019t show up to the wedding.What makes you truly enjoy being a main cast member of Total Divas?I enjoy being around empowered women that are changing the course of history.Total Divas returns this spring, what could your die heart fan look forward to this season?It returns April 5th! You will see it all! You will see the WWE draft, me being torn away from my closest friends, laughter, tears, break ups, Nikki Bella trying to overcome neck surgery. You will also see my second wedding to the same man, lots of Bulgarian traditions, the girls failing their wellness policy, dance battles, prom, debuts and me training and fighting for my opportunity to wrestle.