Leah Van Dale is an American professional wrestler, dancer, and model signed with WWE. She is a former SmackDown Women's Champion and WWE Women's Tag Team Champion.
Leah Van Dale aka Carmella was born on 23rd of October 1987 in Spencer, Massachussets. She completed her education in Unversity of Massachussets Dartmouth, After graduating, she worked as a cheerleader and dancer before joining before switching to pro-wrestling.
Carmella is married to Corey Graves, a RAW colour commentetor since 7th of April 2022.
In 2013, Van Dale signed a developmental contract with the company and was sent to NXT. She changed her name to Carmella after her debut. She debuted as a hairdresser and aligned herself with Big Cass and Enzo Amore.
Over the weeks, she became their manager, and they got in a feud with Alexa Bliss, Blake, and Murphy for the NXT Tag Team Championship. At TakeOver Unstoppable, Carmella was attacked by Bliss during the NXT Tag Team Championship match.
In 2016, she earned an opportunity at the NXT Women's Championship but lost to Bayley. After Cass and Amore went to RAW, Carmella had a solo run in NXT.
During the Draft, Carmella got drafted to SmackDown. Her first major feud was with Nikki Bella when she turned heel. The rivalry concluded at TLC, where she lost. At WrestleMania 33, she took part in a 6 pack challenge for the SmackDown Women's Championship and lost.
After Mania, she won the first-ever Women's Money in the Bank contract with the help of James Ellsworth. She won a second Money in the Bank ladder match on SmackDown after her contract was void by Daniel Bryan.
After teaming with Ellsworth for over six months, she finally ended their partnership in November. After WrestleMania 34, she defeated Charlotte to win the SmackDown Women's Championship when The IIconics attacked Charlotte. At SummerSlam, she lost the title to Charlotte.
After losing her title, she turned face when she began teaming up with R-Truth. At TLC, they defeated Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox to win the second Mixed Match Challenge. At Elimination Chamber, she teamed up with Naomi to win the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Championships but lost. At WrestleMania 35, she won the women's battle royal. In 2020, after losing for months, they repackaged her character as The Untouchable. She faced Sasha Banks on two occasions for the SmackDown Women's Championship and lost.
In 2021, Carmella got drafted to RAW. It was the first time in her career she went to another brand from SmackDown. Carmella allied with Queen Zelina Vega. On RAW, she defeated Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania 38, they lost the titles to Sasha Banks and Naomi.
Carmella is dating Corey Graves.
