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Mike Johnson: When it comes to the Performance Center, is there ever a moment where they counsel everybody about being in this world and being in the public spotlight, this is some of the stuff you're going to have to deal with? I know there's social media training and media training and things like that; but do they ever counsel the talents about that, especially someone who's coming into the business who might not be familiar with how harsh the audience can be at times?
Danielle Kamela: I'm trying to think. Let's see.... they do have kind of a mental health coach who helps us stay encouraged despite ups and downs and things like that. They do make us aware that these things are going to happen and stay tough and things like that. But I can't really think of anything off the top of my head that dealt specifically with that.
Mike Johnson: With the Vanessa Borne persona, where did the name come from? What was the initial idea for it? Because initially you were performing under your real name, and then it transformed into Vanessa Borne. Where does Vanessa come out of Danielle, and how does that all come from concept to manifestation in terms of on camera and in the ring?
Danielle Kamela: Well, with the name, the name wasn't my idea. I had come up with a bunch of different names, but none of them got approved. So, Vanessa Bourne was Triple H's name for me, which I ended up loving. I feel like I really am kind of Vanessa, too. I think it fits me, so I was happy with the name choice. That's how that came about.
Mike Johnson: You had a chance to compete in the Mae Young Classic. Thoughts and memories on that?
Danielle Kamela: That was one of my, I guess, most favorite experiences I had with my time in NXT was the Mae Young classic, because it was just such a cool moment for all of us there. I had one of my most favorite matches and that was with Serena Deeb. I was still fairly new at this point; so being able to work with someone like her who is just so good and so talented and helped really make everything make sense for me, I just felt so lucky to be able to have that match with her. Sometimes I'll watch it back and just be like, "Wow, that was just baby me and Serena just was amazing during that match and everything." So, that was a lot of fun.
Mike Johnson: I was actually going to ask you, she's actually doing great now in AEW and the NWA. But she was there at the WWE Performance Center for a long time as a coach. I was going to ask you, a lot of people will talk about Shawn Michaels and Matt Bloom and Triple H in terms of mentoring talents. What was it like working with Serena Deeb and also Sara Amato and being mentored by them along the way, and what were your experiences learning under them?
Danielle Kamela: They were both amazing. I have only good things to say about both of them as people and as coaches. I was always in Amato's class. When I started out, I was with Sarah Stock, but then I think she had left the company not shortly after that. So, I had been in Sara Amato's class for the longest time. But Serena would be in our school sessions, our film sessions. And then there were a few times when I'd be in ring when she was coaching, open ring times and things like that. So, both of them were so great to learn from. They had different teaching styles and different wrestling styles. I think they were both great for the women's division in NXT.
Mike Johnson: You got to be aligned with the Aliyah for a bit on camera. What was that alliance like in ring and behind the scenes and trying to figure out the chemistry of that duo?
Danielle Kamela: Honestly, I think it didn't take that long for us to have chemistry together because we got along outside of the ring before we were teamed up together. Then once we did start tagging, we had a lot of fun coming up with different tag moves and things for our characters. I think they meshed really well, and they grew together. So, we had a lot of fun doing that.
It was a bummer just because we had been tagging for such a long time. Then she ended up having to be out for surgery. So, that took us off of TV when we were on a roll, so that was a bummer. Then within that timeframe, that went over to when I ended up getting called up. But it was fun. I loved tag team wrestling. I think it just adds a whole nother element, and having to deal with more than just one other person along with the ref in the ring is a completely different learning experience in itself as well.
Mike Johnson: You mentioned her surgery. It seems like the hand, the timing of COVID, moving, it just seems like almost none of this was your fault. It just seemed like a series of unfortunate missed opportunities. When you look back on, on the entire run, do you get mad? Do you get frustrated? Do you go, "All right. Well, things could have been better, but that's life"? Because you hurt your hand just as you get signed. Things with Aliyah start to take off as a TV act, and she gets hurt. Then there's the decision to move you up, and it doesn't really happen. Then you're in Arizona. They're in Florida. There's COVID. We're going to rescind...it just seems almost like there's a series of moments where Charlie Brown is going to kick the football and Lucy moves it. [Danielle laughs] As a person... Forget a wrestler. But as a person, how do you deal with all of these moments where that close; but then something goes a little askew? What's that life experience like? I mean, nobody gets everything that they want in life as planned as they want it. But some of this is, again, the door is open; and then the door gets shut a little as you're about to walk through. How do you compartmentalize that and mentally break it down and become at peace with it?
Danielle Kamela: Right. I'm not going to lie like. It was really tough going through all of these stages; and that's why the only way I can explain it is, it is like a rollercoaster because you're so close and then you just drop. Then you're up again, and then you drop. So, yes, I did deal with a lot of that. It's kind of like I was dealt cards and they weren't shuffled. You know what I mean? But when I look back at everything, even the uncontrollable, because there's always going to be things in life that we just like cannot control. I have to look at it and just take responsibility for everything that has happened to my life, because if I don't, that leaves me with a very... It doesn't bring peace to me thinking, "Oh. Well, if this would've happened, then maybe I'd be there." You will drive yourself crazy thinking like that. So, all I can do as a person is just take responsibility for everything that has happened. Because who knows? Maybe I could have done something else differently, or maybe I should have moved myself to Orlando. I can only control what I can, and everything else just happens. I have to believe that in 20 years when I look back, it all will have worked out and all would have happened for a purpose. And I mean, aside from that, I believe in God; and I pray. That has helped me as well. So, I have to keep a positive outlook, otherwise, having a negative outlook will destroy you.
Interview continues on Page 5!
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