WWE diva: Wright for the part
BY SCOTT FISHMAN
Miami Herald Writer
When Miami Beach resident Tracie Wright agreed to attend the casting call in Chicago for the next WWE Diva, she had no idea what to expect.
''I don't think anyone knew the full extent [of the competition], when I attended the first round and the second casting semifinals,'' Wright said. ``Thinking it was a hosting job, it's bigger than I expected.''
Wright, 23, was an immediate standout with a fresh face and exotic look, diverse from the customary blondes who monopolized the competition.
After being selected as from thousands one of finalists gunning for $250,000 and a one-year contract, Wright joined the other nine hopefuls for their first test on a recent edition of WWE RAW at the MCI Center in Washington D.C. The sultry beauties were special guests on Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel, a talk show segment and weekly feature on the popular Raw cable show on Spike TV.
''The key was not to look like an idiot,'' said Wright, an Atlanta native whose lived on Miami Beach two years. 'We were told that Chris could pass the microphone to any of us, and we couldn't just say, `I don't know?' They told us to have lots and lots of fun, but not toact like a model out there.''
Following the segment Jericho sent the finalists through the capacity crowd on a scavenger hunt for a supposed immunity envelope hidden in RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff's office. The GM later returned infuriated to find his quarters ransacked by Playboy centerfolds, actresses and a pair of twins. Wright proved to be the leader of the pack, speaking for the group and ratting out Jericho.
''We honestly thought there was an immunity envelope,'' Wright said. ``During rehearsal we were just making sure we didn't fall down the ramp, so it was pretty last minute. They want to see who's snappy because it is entertainment.
'They put a monitor backstage during the show so we could see what was going on and as I saw the [arena] filling up, I was thinking, `that's a lot of you.' I loved it, but I wasn't really nervous. Everyone was told just to have fun with it.''
While waiting to perform, the Diva-in-training soaked up the atmosphere of her strange new surroundings. It was during this time she got to interact with many WWE superstars, who in a couple of weeks could turn into co-workers.
''I talked to the Hurricane, Lita and Nidia,'' Wright said, ``but I really want to meet The Rock.''
As viewers vote for their favorite through the toll free number and WWE website, Wright is confident her sister Addie in New Jersey will be rooting for her all the way.
''Everyone is very supportive,'' said Wright. ``My sister was at a bar watching me on the show and said, `that's my sister and if you've got a phone, you better to call.'''
If awarded the WWE contract she would like to contribute in a non-wrestling capacity. ''I wasn't really a fan, but I did watch a little when I was younger,'' she said. ``Now I will be. Now I'm hooked. It's totally addicting.''
The model is a budding author currently at work on a romance novel and a screenplay based on Miami and the entertainment industry. Regardless of the Diva contest's outcome, Wright is enjoying the ride and the valuable experience.
''I'm learning a lot about what goes on behind the scenes and in front of a live crowd in front of the camera,'' she said. ``I've done commercials and photo shoots, but this is a whole different ball game. [WWE] is amazing. I would love to work with them. They're all great people, but when you're on and you're live, if you mess up, you're done.''
Each Monday on RAW someone will be eliminated, until the Sept. 13 broadcast when a winner will be announced. While tensions are mounting, Wright assures there is no jealousyor conflict between the finalists.
''Everyone is pretty nice now,'' said Wright. ``We have to spend 10 hours a day equally and are supportive of each other. So there's no real hard competition, but Ican't say what will happen the next couple of weeks as we get further.''
• Fans tuned in Monday, July 26 to see Julia Costello, one of the twins from The Man Show, sent packing. Her twin sister Chandra remains.
• On Monday, Sept. 13, there will be three remaining finalists. One is eliminated in the first hour of the show, and then the winner is declared in the second hour.
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