Despite not winning the 2004 Diva Search, Candice Michelle has still made quite a splash. Thanks to hard work and, well, just plain being drop dead gorgeous, she has become one of WWE's most wanted Divas both in and out of the ring. However, that doesn't mean it was any less disappointing when she didn't win.

"I remember making it to the final 20, and I got cut in New York," Candice remembers. "I was surprised, because I thought I was perfect for it." But, just because she didn't make the finals didn't mean the WWE brass didn't see something in her. "I was crushed, but God works in mysterious ways; after the contest I got called back, and I was glad they saw something in me. This has been an amazing opportunity for me for the last year-and-a-half."

Entering the Diva Search was a natural fit for Candice, as she felt she already had a good combination of skills. "I was in Los Angeles doing some acting, which helped with my on-camera presence," she recalls, "and I played sports in high school so I knew I was athletic enough. Plus, I've been a WWE fan for a long time too. Once I entered the Search, I knew WWE was perfect for me."

Every year, rumors swirl that the established Divas get a little upset about the new crop coming in without working their way up the ranks. Candice says that while there is truth to that rumor, it's actually for the best. "Some girls maybe felt that way, sure. But I think that everyone gets into this business in their own quirky way, and that's what makes the overall product so cool. Maybe I didn't go to wrestling school and train and work my way up, but that doesn't mean I can't learn now that I'm here."

Now that she's "on the inside" though, Candice told WWE.com that her thoughts on the Diva Search are the same as they were when she entered. "I think it's a great opportunity for people to break into the business, and it's fun and exciting."

Above all, Candice is looking forward to this year's Diva Search, but says the contenders better know their place. "It's exciting when you have new people coming in and stirring up the pot and hopefully we get some good girls…but they better remember that I'm always going to be the hottest Diva!"

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