Changing lives, one Diva at a time
![Changing lives, one Diva at a time Changing lives, one Diva at a time](/f/styles/wwe_16_9_xl/public/article/image/2007/07/5124598.jpg 308w)
As the deadline to enter the 2007 WWE Diva Search draws near, WWE.com spoke to a few of the WWE Divas whose lives were forever changed by the contest. If it wasn't for the WWE Diva Search, our fans wouldn't know the likes of such lovely ladies as Women's Champion Candice Michelle; 2006 winner, Layla, 2005 winner, Ashley; Kristal; Maryse; Maria and Brooke.
"Oh my gosh, the Diva Search changed my life 100 percent," said ECW Diva Brooke. To think, I started about a year ago in the Diva Search, and it's totally done a 180 in my life in terms of where I was, who I was dating, my career, where I live… everything. But now my life's 180 percent better!"
While the Extreme Exposé dancer wasn't in the top eight in last year's contest, her talent was still recognized by WWE, and she was granted a life-changing, developmental contract. Brooke said the Diva Search is a plus for the WWE Divas' roster.
"It's definitely a positive, because it brings in so much more talent, a lot more beautiful young ladies who can dance like Layla, Kelly Kelly and I, or other girls who can wrestle. It's definitely a positive influence on WWE. Each of us have to step up our game in WWE now, too," Brooke said.
SmackDown Diva Kristal gave a warning to the contestants of this year's WWE Diva Search.
"Hopefully we'll get some talented women out of it. I mean, I came out of it. There are a few other women who have some talent, and a nice rack, so hopefully we'll get some more of those. I don't know. I hope they don't get in my way," she cautioned.
The 2005 WWE Diva Search contestant said if it were up to her, the WWE Divas would have a say in the competition.
"I'd like to see some new things. It would be interesting to have some Divas interact with the Diva Search contestants, kind of like a hazing, almost. If it were up to me, and I had the opportunity, I'd put those women through hell," Kristal smiled. "It would be a lot of fun to torment them, see how bad they really want to be here. I think my fellow SmackDown Diva, Victoria, wouldn't mind getting her hands on a couple of those women. It would be awesome!"
All competitiveness aside, Kristal told WWE.com the competition offered her a complete life transformation.
"I hadn't the slightest clue what I was getting into once I signed on with WWE. It's completely changed my life. I went from being a Diva Search woman to being a player here on SmackDown," she explained. "It's such a huge transformation, and gosh, it's almost overwhelming. I look back now and I forget. It's like, ‘Oh yeah, I was in the Diva Search!' I feel like I've come a long way since then. I'm really grateful for my fans and the opportunity to be here."
Last year's WWE Diva Search winner, Layla, agreed with Kristal that competing to be a Diva was a positive, life-changing experience.
"Taking part in the 2006 WWE Diva Search was an amazing experience for me, and it's changed my life drastically. Not only do I have a contract with WWE, I'm also traveling around, I'm busy, I have exposure, I'm doing something I really, really love. It's enhanced me as a person. It's made me a lot more confident. It's made me a lot stronger," Layla said.
"It's given me the belief that I can go out there and accomplish anything. If you really, really want something, and if you put your heart into it and decide that's what you really want, you can definitely do it," the ECW Diva said. "So, definitely the Diva Search has made me believe in myself a lot more, and I'm willing to take on anything, because hey, it's not that easy to win that contest."
Layla told WWE.com that each year, the competition gets tougher, so she offered some words of advice to those women applying for the contest.
"Each girl has to be someone original. I think that they need to bring something to the table that hasn't been brought to the table. I'm hoping they're going to bring some women who are genuinely coming into this because they want to do this, not trying to be someone they're not, or trying to win it how someone else did," the Extreme Exposé dancer said.
"I hope they find someone who is very unique, but is genuinely herself. I think that's the reason Ashley won, and one of the reasons I won. We always stayed true to who we were. What you see is basically what you get," Layla said.
If you think you have what WWE wants, apply to the 2007 WWE Diva Search now! The deadline is July 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET, so hurry! Stay tuned to WWE.com for more on the 2007 WWE Diva Search and complete Diva Search site, coming in August.
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