Sonya Deville Reveals GLAAD Was Helping Her With Potential Mandy Rose Storyline
Before Liv Morgan was revealed as Lana’s ex-lover, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose were working on a potential LGTBQ storyline. The duo had pitched the idea to WWE, but aside from a quick brushing of the hair, the idea never played out.
Speaking to Elle Collins at With Spandex, Sonya discussed the storyline that wasn’t and revealed they were working with GLAAD on the idea.
“So obviously, Mandy and I were upset momentarily. It was something that we really pushed for. But never say never. And I think that it’s definitely still a possibility that it will or could happen in the future. And I think representation in different storylines and stuff like that, is awesome. I think it’s good. There’s a lot of different ways you can do it. There’s not just one way to do it and it’s not just Mandy and I that have to do it. Obviously, we took a lot of time out and had a lot of meetings with GLAAD, and they were helping us write and direct the story. And so I hope we can get back to it one day. But yeah, I would like to see it also revealed in other storylines in the future too.”
She continued, “I think that’s what’s cool is it doesn’t have to be a long drawn out storyline about two girls or two guys being gay. I think it can just be natural inclusion in the product. Just like you knew Rusev and Lana were dating for years and years and years. Maybe you can know two girls are dating or two guys are dating, but it’s not part of the storyline. You know what I mean? It’s unique in that it’s not a television show, but it kind of is, and it’s not real life, but it kind of is. So it’s trying to find that happy medium of where to go with stuff like that. And it’s a work in progress. We’re all trying to figure it out at the same time. And I certainly don’t have all the answers and I know they don’t. So I think it’s just a cooperative effort over the next few years of hopefully getting more of that content in there.”
The backstory between Liv and Lana never went anywhere despite the two working multiple matches against each other.
WWE recently signed Jake Atlas, who is also openly gay and currently wrestles for NXT. When discussing queer inclusion in the WWE, Sonya said, “Me and [Atlas] have had a couple conversations via Instagram and stuff and he loves the new line, so I’m going to send him a bunch of stuff. He’s been a super big supporter. I just think it’s so cool that there’s more of us now. And when I got here I was the only one and I was the only one for two, three years that I knew of. And so it’s really cool to see the unity. And even two years ago at WrestleMania, Finn Balor had a rainbow shirt come out. And then they did my, ‘Put your hair up and square up’ merchandise shirt in rainbow. And I think Charlotte and a few other superstars have their shirt available in rainbow. So it’s just been really cool over the past few years. WWE really has made those steps in becoming inclusive with the LGBTQ community, and it’s been obviously, a passion of mine. So I’ve had multiple meetings with GLAAD and other organizations, and WWE’s social resources team and stuff, to do more things like this. And so we have a bunch of stuff coming out for pride month, and hopefully with the virus and everything, a lot of that stays in place, but we’ll just have to take it day by day. But yeah, it’s really cool seeing more people in the company be comfortable now to come out. And obviously new signees coming in, that they feel comfortable being part of this company, and hopefully proud of who they are in this company.”
Deville is still teaming with Rose on WWE SmackDown and is part of the storyline between Rose, Dolph Ziggler, and Otis.
