From former WBFF Bikini World Champion to fitness and beauty entrepreneur to reality TV star… it’s easy to see why WWE mega-babe MANDY ROSE is the hottest sports entertainer in the world. And, as she makes her sexy MAXIM cover debut, she tells us what fans can expect when they see her in action at WWE LIVE touring Australia this month…
Hey Mandy, congrats on your first MAXIM cover. How do you feel?
Thank you! I feel so honoured and excited. This has always been a dream for me, pretty much a bucket list I would say. Ever since I started doing photo shoots while developing a huge passion in health and fitness, I was determined one day I would be featured on the cover of MAXIM.
What did you enjoy most about this MAXIM cover shoot?
This cover shoot is extremely special to me and was also loads of fun. A lot of my photo shoots I’m involved in usually have to do with sports and fitness so this is very different and unique to me.
Well, you look gorgeous. When do you feel you are at your sexiest?
Thank you. I always feel sexy in my own skin no matter what I have on. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing, it’s how you feel and present yourself. I can honestly say I am so comfortable in my own skin and really love to see my progression and goals come to life right in front of my own eyes on a front cover of MAXIM!
What is your best asset?
My legs and glutes. Growing up, I wasn’t always comfortable and secure with my lower body because I was always a bit thicker. It wasn’t until I started to get involved in fitness and bodybuilding where I developed muscle and fell in love with the way my legs look. They’re definitely my favourite assets now and I love to show them off.
Tell us a bit more about yourself and life story so far.
I’m from Yorktown Heights, New York and grew up with three older brothers in a pretty strict Italian home. Yes, you can say growing up had some struggles with four very overprotective men under one roof, but I don’t regret it one bit because it made me be the strong, independent woman I am today. I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, played every sport up until about high school, when I decided I wanted to stick with just dance. I then went on to Iona College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. After college, I got involved in fitness competitions and bodybuilding which then led me to a try out for WWE’s reality show Tough Enough. After doing Tough Enough I was signed with WWE and put on their E! hit reality show Total Divas, and I can honestly say I couldn’t be happier with where I am today.
You’ve been described as an “Irish Italian beauty” — which half of you is Irish and which is Italian?
I’d say I get my sassiness from the Italian side and my beauty from a little bit of both!
When did you first know you wanted to be a WWE superstar?
I first wanted to be a sports entertainer when I got introduced into the business through Tough Enough. To be honest, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into but just went with the flow and was able to push myself to my ultimate limits. I developed a huge passion and love for professional wrestling when I knew I had IT. It’s the best of both worlds, sports and entertainment, which is everything I loved and experienced growing up. I always loved working with children so the fact I can perform in front of huge crowds and put smiles on people’s faces, especially kids, is the most rewarding feeling in the world.
What do you love most about your job in the WWE?
I love all the charity work and outside appearances we do within the WWE. Whether it’s a Be A Star Rally promoting inclusion and anti-bullying or visiting a children’s hospital, giving back to the community is definitely a highlight of my career. Another highlight has been performing in the first ever all-Women’s PPV event called Evolution.
What fellow WWE superstars do you look up to?
Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix, The Rock and John Cena.
Which celebrity would you love to do battle against in the ring?
Serena Williams — she would definitely put up a good fight for sure!
You star in WWE SmackDown Live, manage your own iOS fitness app Fit With Mandy, have your skincare line Amarose and a YouTube channel, plus you travel the world as part of the WWE. Is there anything you can’t do?
Umm, NOPE! It’s definitely a lot of work, but I try to balance my time and schedule very efficiently. I love staying busy and starting new projects — it’s very fun and keeps it exciting.
You produce a weekly show on your YouTube channel called DAMANDYZ DONUTZ, with your “Fire and Desire” WWE tag team partner Daria Berenato (aka Sonya Deville), where you review donuts from stores you visit around the world. Why donuts?
Yes, Sonya Deville and I started this YouTube series around August 2018 because we love donuts and travel around the world together. We figured why not have a donut in every big city we go to and film ourselves because we all know everyone loves donuts! It’s been a huge hit and we are super excited to announce our website is launching very soon. We also hope to open a brick and mortar one day as well. Oh, and the best donuts we’ve had so far were in Lafayette, Louisiana called Meche’s Donuts.
What do you love most about Sonya Deville?
Sonya Deville is an amazing person inside and out. She is as real as it gets, extremely down to earth and I love how open-minded she is. She’s taught me to be more open-minded and our bond is so strong, no-one can ever break us apart.
TRUE OR FALSE: Your “Fire and Desire” tag team name is from the Backstreet Boys song “I Want It That Way”?
False, but we can pretend it is.
TRUE OR FALSE: You’re on the road and travelling over 300 days a year?
True – I basically live out of my suitcase.
You’re a 158cm tall WWE superstar who can lift 102kg – do men find you intimidating?
Maybe some, but not the men I surround myself with.
Describe your ideal man?
Tall, handsome, nice physique and someone with a great personality who makes me laugh.
What’s the best way for a man to win his way to your heart?
Making me laugh and looking into my eyes when I’m talking
is a good start.
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
We run the world.
What can fans expect from you at WWE LIVE in Australia in October?
Any WWE LIVE show is such an incredible experience — there’s nothing like it! So, I can promise you that WWE LIVE in Australia will be an amazing show and, of course, witnessing God’s Greatest Creation live in real life is quite the blessing. So, you’re welcome!
This will be your first-ever visit to Australia, right?
Yes, it’ll be my first time coming to Australia, so I’m super excited — I can’t wait to be a part of the show! And I’ll be hand delivering copies of my MAXIM Australia issue, with me on the cover, to all the fans!
What else are you looking forward to doing during your trip Down Under?
I always love to find the best cuisine when I travel out of the U.S. and experience different cultures. Sonya Deville and myself can’t wait to try some Australian donuts!
Got a message for your Aussie fans?
To my Aussie fans, thank you for all the love and support and I can’t wait to come and meet you all!
Finally, where do you see yourself after you’re done with wrestling?
The opportunities are endless. The sky is the limit! I look to build an empire, also maybe get into acting, and just keep trying to help change the lives of others. ■
Status Update
FULL NAME: Amanda Saccomanno
BORN: July 18, 1990
HOMETOWN: Yorktown Heights, New York, U.S.A.
FIVE-WORD SELF-DESCRIPTION: “Confident, strong, sultry, secure, independent.”
INSPIRATION: “Having goals, achieving them and overcoming obstacles.”
HOBBIES: “Riding my bike, drinking wine and working out.”
TWITTER: @wwe_mandyrose
INSTAGRAM: @mandysacs
SNAPCHAT: Sacs90
PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNON LAURINE
INTERVIEW BY SANTI PINTADO
STYLING JAS MATHUR
HAIR & MAKE-UP SHANNON LAURINE
PRODUCED BY JAS MATHUR
THANKS TO MUSE PUBLISHING
For the full article grab the October 2019 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
