5 superstars who had a modeling career before WWE

WWE Superstars usually have experience in different fields of work before they step into the squared circle. Some are already athletes in sports, some work in television, and some work for modeling agencies.

The company has been known to hire performers from modeling agencies and then train them to become stars. It's not necessarily conventional, but when WWE sees star power in someone, they take that risk.

That being said, let's take a look at superstars who had modeling careers before joining WWE.

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#5 Kelly Kelly joined WWE in 2006 while she was modeling

Kelly Kelly's story of joining WWE is quite intriguing. Despite having no prior experience, WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis contacted Kelly's modeling agency after spotting her. At 19-years-old, she was offered a WWE contract.

Growing up, the former WWE Divas Champion had aspirations to be a television anchor. She modeled for companies such as Hawaiian Tropic and Venus Swimwear.

Kelly Kelly spoke with Cult of Whatever in 2014 about her start with WWE:

"I started when I was 19-years-old, I was doing some modelling whilst I was in college studying broadcast journalism. The WWE called my agent and asked if I wanted to try out, they invited me to Louisville, Kentucky for a try-out at OVW so I went along and the rest, as they say, is history," Kelly Kelly said (h/t Cult of Whatever)

Despite having no in-ring experience, the former Extreme Expose member did know about WWE:

"When I was younger, when I was about 10 and 11-years-old I used to watch wrestling with my dad all the time. I really loved Stone Cold Steve Austin and he has always been my favourite, even to this day. I was always a big fan of Trish Stratus’ stuff, Lita was an awesome performer and a great person, I always liked their work together and I really admired the pair of them," Kelly Kelly said (h/t Cult of Whatever)

Since Kelly Kelly left WWE in 2012, she has resumed her modeling career and has become a social media influencer. She also appeared in the reality television series WAGS LA, featuring in twenty-eight episodes.

#4 Mandy Rose modeled before she joined WWE

Before Mandy Rose entered WWE Tough Enough in 2015, God's Greatest Creation was a very successful fitness model. She was crowned the 2014 World Beauty Fitness & Fashion Bikini Champion. The now-NXT 2.0 star has also featured on many magazine covers.

Rose spoke with Entrepreneur about how modeling helped her get noticed by WWE:

"When I was crowned the 2014 WBFF Bikini World Champion, that helped in getting some attention. I had a small supplement sponsorship and a decent social media following, which I ran all myself. It was soon after that I received a call from a WWE recruiter, who asked if I would be interested in trying out for their reality show, Tough Enough. At that moment, I knew I could become a WWE superstar, but I was a little skeptical about getting there through a reality competition. After I was picked for the show, we filmed for about 10 weeks and I made it to the finals, but I came up short. However, that same night I was offered a WWE contract and a spot on their really series, Total Divas, on E! which was such an amazing opportunity for me," Mandy Rose said. (h/t Entrepreneur)

Mandy's career has continued to skyrocket, and she even has her own fitness app and donut shop. She can be seen regularly posting about her ventures on her social media channels.

#3 Eva Marie was a model before WWE

Eva Marie is well known in the WWE Universe for her run between 2013 and 2017. Of course, she returned to WWE in 2021 and was placed in a storyline with newcomer Doudrop.

Before WWE, Eva Marie was a sportsperson and secured a degree in Business Management. She moved to Los Angeles and eventually became a fitness and fashion model.

Eva Marie spoke with Naluda Magazine in 2016 about her time before WWE:

"I’ve been an athlete my entire life. I have always been into fitness. I was a soccer player in college and sports have always been a part of my life. Now fitness is part of my profession as a WWE Diva. As for beauty, I’ve always been intrigued by how fashion and beauty is used as a form of expression. Dying my hair red helped me figure out my character – a bold, fiery, determined and strong woman."

Eva's first taste of television with WWE came on the hit reality show Total Divas. Marie became an actor and social media influencer following her initial departure from WWE.

#2 Liv Morgan was a model before joining WWE

Before Liv Morgan joined WWE in 2014, she worked for Hooters and modeled for the brand. She even appeared in one of their famous calendars after entering the restaurant chain in her late teens.

Morgan tweeted about her first photoshoot for Hooters in July 2020, in response to someone who had a Hooters trading card with her picture:

"Hahahahahah this was the first time anyone has taken a photo of me ever that wasn't for school. They put me next to a tree and starting shooting I was like" Liv Morgan said. (h/t @YaOnlyLivvOnce on Twitter)

She also discussed her time at Hooters on the WWE Network Special: Liv Forever:

"I went in there and I applied. I got hired and I loved it. Hooters are great. It gives so many opportunities to women. Aside from being a server, there’s the beauty pageants and the calendars. Hooters not only gave me a job but gave me an opportunity. Something I needed at that time. It was the first time in my life I had responsibility. Even if it was as simple as making sure your wings were hot and your beer was cold. I took it and ran with it." Liv Morgan said (h/t Wrestling Inc.)

Liv Morgan is now an integral part of the WWE roster. She has recently received tremendous support from the WWE Universe to see her get better opportunities.

#1 Alexa Bliss was a model before joining WWE

Former WWE RAW and SmackDown Women's Champion Alexa Bliss was a model before joining WWE. Bliss appeared in fitness competitions, which helped her overcome an eating disorder at the age of 15-years.

Alexa Bliss spoke with the New York Post about her experience with bodybuilding and modeling before WWE:

"My parents put me back in touch with my trainers Mike [Davies] and Natalie [Calland]. They told me I was going to compete [in body building]. I was like 80 pounds and they were like, ‘You are going to be on stage in six weeks. You can either be skinny and embarrass yourself or look healthy and do well, but regardless you are getting on stage in six weeks.’ That was kind of the kick in the butt. Their diets got me comfortable eating food again. It was a very, very long process because this was like a four or five year battle." Alexa Bliss said.

Despite having no prior experience, Bliss signed with the WWE in May 2013 and trained at the Performance Center. She is now one of WWE's most prized assets and a famous superstar with the WWE Universe.